To use a French press:
- Measure and grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, about 3 tablespoons per cup of coffee.
- Boil water and let it cool slightly to about 200°F.
- Add the coffee grounds to the French press.
- Pour a small amount of hot water to wet the grounds and let them bloom for 1 minute.
- Add the rest of the hot water, place the lid on with the plunger up, and steep for 4 to 6 minutes depending on your taste.
- Slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee.
- Pour and serve immediately to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.
This method gives a rich, full-bodied coffee from coarse grounds steeped in hot water, with the plunger filtering the grounds out at the end. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio and steep time for your preferred strength.