It doesn’t have to be difficult to get barista style coffee in your own home. The humble french press has been around for decades and is still one of the best ways to easily brew coffee at home. They’re readily available and very affordable – you probably already have one in your kitchen cupboards. It’s very easy to make a bad cup of coffee with a french press, however, follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to get the perfect brew every time:

Let’s get started shall we?

You Will Need

• French press
• Kettle
• Your coffee of choice (ground coarsely)

Step 1

Before we begin, make sure your french press is thoroughly cleaned. Remove any remnants of old coffee grinds and make sure the filter is completely free of debris. Anything left in the filter can seriously taint the taste of your brew. Also ensure the filter is in good physical condition to ensure it won’t allow any unwanted coffee grinds into your cup.

Step 2

Add your ground coffee to your french press, paying close attention to these measuring guidelines:

• For 3-cup serving – 2-3 tbsp
• For 4-cup serving – 4-5 tbsp
• For 8-cup serving – 8-10 tbsp

Step 3

Prepare your boiling water. The amount of water you add is just as important as the amount of coffee so pay close attention to these measuring guidelines:

• For 3-cup serving – 275ml
• For 4-cup serving – 430ml
• For 8-cup serving – 860ml

Step 4

Pour between one third and one half of the water over the coffee grounds. This allows the coffee to bloom, and brings out some of the more subtle flavours and aromas. It also forces the coffee to release trapped gasses which can taint the taste of the final brew. During this process, a thick crust of coffee will form on the surface. Allow to sit for about 30 seconds.

Step 5

Give the coffee a quick stir to break up the crust then add the remaining water in a slow and even stream. Immediately add the lid of the french press but make sure to leave the plunger in the upright position. This is simply to prevent heat loss as the coffee brews. Allow to sit for about 3 and a half minutes.

Step 6

Slowly press the plunger down. If you press down too fast, the coffee may spill out of the press and coffee grinds may seep through. Once plunged, serve coffee immediately – if left in the press for too it may become bitter.

So there you have it – not has hard as it looks right? Mornings have suddenly become a little bit brighter.