Coffee Snob
I LOVE coffee. Ever since I was a child, I've loved coffee flavored everything... cakes, ice cream, even coffee-flavored short ribs. The hubs doesn't like coffee at all, but he calls me a coffee snob. I admit, I'm VERY particular about my coffee. Ever since I've been exposed to the good stuff, I can't go back to drinking the tasteless, brown dirt-water that S-Bux considers coffee.
This week, I picked myself up a new burr grinder. I gave the same grinder to my parents as a Christmas gift last year and it's the best gift I ever purchased for them. They use it every single day. I was debating between buying the Capresso or the Gaggia, but since I make my coffee with a French press, I decided to save $100 and go with the Capresso.
If you're a coffee lover and haven't yet tried a cup-a-joe made with a French press, you must try it. A French press is the single best method to brew non-espresso coffee and it's very quick and easy. The reason that press pot brewing is recommended over drip, is because the coffee is not brewed through a paper filter so you don't lose any of the good flavors that get stuck in the filter or pick up any weird paper flavors. I'm an espresso lover myself, but I don't have the luxury of owning a machine. French press satisfies my cravings for a good cup just as much as a latte. I taught my parents how to brew with a press and now they are converts. All they drink is French press.
Anyway, here is Kel's method on how to make a single serving of deliciously brewed coffee using a French press:
This is my coffee brewing equipment: A canister to store the whole beans, a 2 tbsp metal measuring spoon, my burr grinder, and a 12oz Bodum press pot.
Many people don't know this, but coffee quickly loses it's aroma and flavor once it's ground. To optimize the coffee freshness, beans should be stored in an airtight container and ground right before brewing.
I really love how oily and aromatic beans are when they're freshly roasted. Yum.
In the picture, I'm holding a handful of Peet's Guatamala San Sebastian.
For a 6oz cup of coffee, measure a heaping two tablespoon amount of whole beans.
Make sure that your grinder is set on coarse and grind the beans. If you have a blade grinder like a Krupps, then simply pulse the blade for 8-10 seconds until the beans are coarsely ground. Make sure not to grind the beans too finely or the grinds will clog the press pot screen.
Pour the grounds into your press pot.
Next, heat 6 oz of cold, filtered water to around 195F to 205F. To reach this temperature, simply bring the water to a boil, remove it from heat, and let it rest for 30 seconds. Pour the water into the press pot ensuring that all the grounds are covered. If you want, you can stir up the grounds a bit to make sure that the water is saturating them. Press the filter of the press pot down until it is resting just under the surface of the water and wait about three minutes.
While you're waiting, you can fill your cup with your preference of milk, soy milk, half and half, sugar, etc. Personally, I prefer Coffeemate to half and half or milk. It gives the coffee a nice consistency.
Once three minutes have passed, press the filter all the way to the bottom so that the grounds are separated from the brewed coffee.
Pour the freshly brewed coffee into your mug...
And enjoy!