#1 The French Press Coffee Tips

[coffeenate1]

@DXReviews69 Good day sir! ツ

[KevinFlores107]

Can you reuse the grinds left on the bottom?

[coffeenate1]

@KevinFlores107 You 'could', but you could also brew pencil shavings. I don't recommend either ツ

[akhan07]

When you say 2 tbls per cup, do you mean the US measurement of a cup, or an ordinary coffee mug. I cant seem to get my coffee grinds to water proportion right.

[coffeenate1]

@akhan07 Per 6oz cup. Now I prefer to measure my dosage by mass rather than volume. For a 32oz french press I grind 70 grams of coffee. I do this because coffees that are roasted to a darker degree are less dense, but take up more room. Lighter roasted coffees are more dense, and use less volume. Measuring the amount I grind by mass creates a more consistent drink.

[pookanc]

We run water through the coffee machine, use the French Press to brew it for 4 to 5 mins, then pour the coffee back in the coffee pot and let the coffee pot burner keep it at temp.

[coffeenate1]

@pookanc If that works for you, then great. I wouldn't recommend this method though. Coffee brewers frequently do not sufficiently heat the water for optimal coffee brewing. The temperature of the water is decreased as you transfer from vessel to vessel. I also wouldn't recommend using the brewer to keep the coffee heated. This will continue the brewing process and make the coffee burnt tasting. Instead, I recommend pouring it from the press into a thermal carafe. Happy brewing ツ

[drekw2]

Generally I buy my coffee at Starbucks and I ask them to grind the coffee for french press. for 16oz of coffee I use 3 1/2 measures.

[rlspeare]

It'd be best to stir with a non metal object, else you could break the glass. I had a "friend" who did that once. Also, using filtered water is a big taste enhancer, my tap water probably could be used a disinfectant! Salt is a good thing to add to, it can help with bitterness.

[coffeenate1]

@rlspeare I don't even stir anymore. I have another video with my updated method, but I am not allowed to put a link here :P Filtered water is a great tip, especially people with water like yours! I live on the Great Lakes, so tap water is quite clean tasting, but many urban areas are stricken with pool water. As far as adding salt goes, I don't recommend it. If you use fresh roasted beans, you won't have a bitterness problem...unless you grind too fine. Thanks 4 watching ツ

[BrootalBandito]

lol "full flavor." What kind of flavors?

[coffeenate1]

@BrootalBandito Brewing methods that use a paper filter will remove much of the flavor. The french press leaves the flavorful oils in the drink, instead of in the filter. ツ

[mrdave777]

Hi....can anyone tell me if the coffee grounds are spent after using the press? In other words, if you remove the coffee from the press ASAP, can you re-use the grounds? Thx

[coffeenate1]

@mrdave777 You cannot reuse the coffee grounds. I suppose you *could* do it, but your coffee will taste really bad. All of the desirable flavors have already been removed from the coffee. Brewing them again will only give you a nasty bitter taste.

[mydeadsea]

I just bought a bodum french coffee press from T.J Maxx for 10 bucks :D .. I'm still trying to get the hang of it though. it's a 32 ounce one.. I tried it once with 7 scoops and everyone flipped out and said it was gross and way too strong.. so I tried it with 3 scoops and it was brown water with essence o' coffee flavor. I'm gonna try it again tomorrow with 4 scoops..we'll see how it turns out but I think I'm really gonna like this thing.:) Great video!

[coffeenate1]

@mydeadsea If you are using a press, you MUST use whole beans and grind them yourself in order to achieve a really good cup of coffee. Get a burr grinder and grind the coffee coarsely. I have a 32 ounce press, and I use 70 grams of coffee. Measuring by mass instead of volume gives much more consistency, as lighter roasts will occupy less volume per gram, than darker roasted beans do. You'll get it, and it will be well worth the experimenting :)

[coffeenate1]

@coffeenate1 Go to my website CoffeeNate(dot)com and click 'Brewing Guides' at the top of the page. Find french press, and use the newer video. That method gives the best results!

[mydeadsea]

@coffeenate1 Someone else suggested a burr grinder too, so I got on ebay to look for one and realized we already have one. (it's been sitting on the counter forever.. we have a big restaurant sized grinder we use so I never even paid attention to it . I've been grinding my coffee fresh, and I settled on 5 and a half scoops of coffee, (not sure how many grams that is? I use the scoop that came with the press).. It seems perfect for me. my 10 dollar french press = best buy ever :)

[jtropeano]

Leaving the coffee in the press after it's been pressed will make the coffee more bitter than pouring it out into a thermal or into cups right after pressing. Awesome video!

[coffeenate1]

@jtropeano You are very right! This was my first video ever, and my coffee brewing knowledge wasn't nearly as keen as it is now :) I have an updated press pot tutorial that highlights a couple of different methods. Thanks for watching and posting!

[johnlebl]

As the water sits on the grinds, it continues to extract. Extraction happens in a sequence with caffeine, aromatics first, oils, acids then the bitter stuff. You want to do the brew and get the coffee off the grounds right away so it doesn't overextract by drawing that bitter stuff into the brew. That's why I'm somewhat suspicious of the idea of a French press travel mug, because I would expect the coffee to get more bitter as you drink since it's still steeping.

[coffeenate1]

@johnlebl You're correct...that's why I drink from my travel mug very quickly :) The french press travel mug sure beats drinking diner coffee on the road. I use it as a mini brewer sometimes, and pour the brew into a conventional mug. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[rammstein11004]

hello how long do you let the boiled water cool off for thanks

[coffeenate1]

@rammstein11004 Let the water cool for about a minute.  If you have a thermometer, let it cool to about 195-202

[coffeenate1]

@Goldil08 Thank you! Since this video I have published a much better french press tutorial with better methods. The one you commented on was my first one ever! Thanks again

[joesl8]

The press makes a good cup of coffee but I'm concerned about the extra cholesterol you get without the use of a paper filter. Any thoughts on that?

[coffeenate1]

@joesl8 I'm not a doctor and I advise to ask one if this is a concern. Having said that, I don't believe a cup or two per day is going to be a significant factor. Cut out the burgers and zah...not the coffee :) That's what I say

[jhl605]

Love the shirt

[coffeenate1]

@jhl605 Thank you c[_] I have a better french press video. This one here was my first one ever, and I hardly knew how to make it myself! :)

[WarzoneMerc]

Great coffee only issue it games me heart burn. Great vid

[coffeenate1]

@WarzoneMerc Perhaps you are using preground or older coffee beans. If you use freshly roasted beans (within 2 weeks of roasting) you will likely notice a decrease in the negative effects! Ground coffee is stale coffee with rancid oils on it...not good for the digestive system for sure.

[NamesROverated]

I like how you said "Caraff" instead of "carafe' " you know, with the accent :P

[SolarizeYourLife]

96°C water

[gullreefclub]

Overall not a bad bit of info but I thnk you missed a couple of things Preheat the pot, use a wooden stirred, I use a chop stick. If you use cream or milk pre-warm it. Lastly tablespoon is not the same size table spoon that you use at the dinner table

[coffeenate1]

@gullreefclub Thank you! This is my first video from 2 years ago when I first started my coffee journey. I now use a no-stir method as I show in a later video. Can't leave links in comments :P I now actually weigh my beans as lighter roasts are more dense than darker, which can cause inconsistent batches if you measure by volume instead of mass. Take care

[davideshafer]

It makes THE best cup of coffee DAMM IT! At least we agree on the 2 tbls per cup rule. Although I would consider that a weak cup. I'm known for brewing desel. At the end you mentioned removing the coffee so it wouldn't cool so quickly. Its more important to remove it from the press cause the grinds in the bottom will make the coffee taste bitter. Thats cause the grounds are still cooking and slowly burning.

[coffeenate1]

@davideshafer You are absolutely correct! This was my very first video :) I have an updated french press video that shows a couple of different techniques. I now weigh my coffee instead of using a tablespoon. Thanks for watching!

[ElJefedeJefes9]

Shouldn't you use a wooden utensil instead of a metal one, when stirring the coffee...

[coffeenate1]

@ElJefedeJefes9 I guess a wooden utensil would be easier on the glass, but I no longer employ any stirring technique. This video was my first ever and I have refined my method. Stirring causes the temperature of the water to drop quickly and inhibits proper extraction. You can see my current method at coffeenate{dot}com/how-to-fren­ch-press-coffee-technique (YouTube doesn't like links!)

[iamLEGAND223]

but you shouldn't leave the coffee in there for too long or it will get bitter.

[coffeenate1]

@iamLEGAND223 You're right..drink it right away!

[DaigleChase]

@iamLEGAND223 That depends, it is bitter because of an increase in caffeine if you need to stay up steep away, but caffeine is very bitter.

[John27346]

I listened to this guy attentively until he mentioned the words "fairtrade" and "organic". Fairtrade doesn't necessarily mean the coffee tastes better and I would argue the same about organic.

[coffeenate1]

@John27346

Hi John! I don't argue your point one bit. I just prefer to find quality coffees that are also fairtrade or otherwise ethically traded, and organic is also a preference of mine. I have my own preferences, and you have yours...and that is cool. This was actually my very first video ever, and my technique has changed. I just completed another french press techniques video that you can see on my site.  It was too long for YouTube :( Thanks again for watching!

[John27346]

@coffeenate1 I'm not against fairtrade per se and your video is very helpful.

[nile00000]

nice tip, thanx

[coffeenate1]

@nile00000

You are very welcome! Thank you for watching!

[DKNKM]

Are you talking about 4oz cups?

[coffeenate1]

@DKNKM

Yes, it is "8 cups" European cups, which are 4 oz.

[058467]

Great tip on the grinder!! Best video so far I've seen! Quick question tho - I've seen some people stir for a long time just before placing the lid on the press, some barely stir, & some don't stir at all - what is the proper method & why? Also - someone also recommended stiring after the 4 minute period? what effect would this have on flavor if any?

[coffeenate1]

Thanks for the comment! This was my very very first video ever, just a year ago now :) I recommend stirring gently for about 30 seconds or so, right after pouring the water in. I then put the plunger in and wait for 3.5 more minutes, then plunge...that's it! The stirring just ensures that all of the grounds are being properly extracted and are coming in contact with the water. Additional stirring at the 4 minute mark would do nothing. I've done recent grinder vid so please visit my site :)

[coffeenate1]

@058467 Sorry for the extreme delay. I didn't notice your comment till now. I have refined my technique and the video was too long for my YouTube channel. Check it out at coffeenate{dot}com/how-to-fren­­ch-press-coffee-technique (YouTube doesn't like links!) I explain all of my reasons too :)

[jemremyc]

I think you should probably get the coffee out of the press right away since it's still in contact with the grinds. Otherwise, the last cup will probably be really bitter. I've not used this method, though, so I don't presume any authority on the subject.

[coffeenate1]

Thanks Jeremy! Yeah, I now recommend transferring the coffee to a carafe if you will not be using it all right after brewing. This was my first video, and I've learned a lot since :)

[1too3fore]

you should also add a small bit of salt to the french press before steeping to enhance the flavors and greatly reduce any bitterness.

[coffeenate1]

@1too3fore Never add salt to your coffee. If your coffee is too bitter, then you are either using extremely subpar beans, or your grind is too fine. Check out this video for more help :) coffeenate{dot}com/how-to-fren­­ch-press-coffee-technique (YouTube doesn't like links!)

[coffeenate1]

No, two level tablespoons per cup is the proper measure. Of course, it should be adjusted to your personal taste and if you prefer one, then one is right! I prefer a full flavored cup, so two is good for me :)

[sheldonhull]

2 per cup? That's pretty strong isn't it? I've read that 1 tbs per cup is the normal