Coffee, like Jiu Jitsu, can be a complicated and even intimidating affair. People speak about it in reverential tones, using strange vocabulary or expensive looking kit.
Have no fear! If you're a coffee white belt or a more advanced caffeine addict interested in perfecting your art, look no further. This is the first instalment of a series looking at the fundamental aspects of understanding, and more importantly, brewing the black elixir of life.
First lesson: the best learning is doing. Flailing around and making mistakes is the first step. Don't be afraid to experiment, try different methods, beans (as long as they are from Heel Hook Coffee, jk) etc. But more importantly, enjoy it!
The Cafetiere or French Press
The French press aka Cafetiere is one of the most basic methods for brewing coffee and has been used in one form or another since at least the late 19th Century. Funnily enough in France.
But the method in a sense is so basic that it is likely to have developed from older brewing methods.
A normal French press (pictured) is a glass, ceramic or metal enclosed pot with a normally permanent perforated filter attached to the lid, that can be depressed using plunger. It's that simple!
The most important thing for us to understand is that it creates a remarkably consistent and delicious full body coffee. I personally love a French press as my morning brew. Furthermore, it's brewing method allows the character of the beans to really shine through without being too overpowering and is a good place to start if you are new to drinking coffee. Simplicity has it's advantages.
White belt tip: Cafetieres can be purchased from any supermarket or cheaply online in various sizes.
Step One: Grind them Beans!
Take your Heel Hook Coffee beans (if you have pre-ground coffee go to step 2). Using your grinder or a food processor grind your beans to a coarse texture like kosher salt. If it is too fine it isn't a disaster you might just end up with more grounds in your cup.
Pro tip: To get the best out of the beans grind only the amount that you need each time or use up within 24 hours.
Step 2: How much coffee do you need?
This is slightly subjective and depend on how you like your coffee, but as a starter use about 20g (a heaped desert spoon if you don't have scales) per 240ml. Experiment with how much you prefer and this is certainly one area where coffee can become either a science or an art depending on who you ask.
White belts tip: Before adding the coffee to your vessel pre-heat it with some hot water. Throw out the water then add your ground coffee.
Step 3: Add the water!
If you are measuring, the temperature is best somewhere between 92-96 degrees centigrade.
Add approximately 200-250ml of water for each 20grams of coffee that you added. This may take some experimentation as different people prefer different strengths and textures.
White belt tip: the water you use makes a difference. If you live in an area with harder water (or very soft water) this will change the flavour you get. It is preferable to use filtered or spring water.
Step 4: Brewing!
Replace the lid with the plunger in the up (non-pressed) position and go and roll for a short round or just wait around impatiently. 4-5 minutes of brew time should be sufficient. Again this is an area with a bit of flex but the brewing is important as it allows the chemical interactions to take place and release all the awesome flavours. No one wants gnats pee coffee.
Step 5: Plunge and Enjoy!
Slowly depress the plunger, pour into your Heel Hook Coffee mug and enjoy.
White Belt tip: Add milk, alternatives or sugar at your peril. 1 million latte art videos cant be wrong, but try it black! That's where the coffee flavours do their work.
If you have brewed more than 1 cups worth then decant into another jug to prevent over brewing.
Conclusion
However you brew coffee, the most important thing is enjoying the process and the cup you have at the end. Buy some beans or ground coffee and have a go. If you sign up to our email list now, we'll give you 10% off your next order.
Let us know what you want to learn about next in the comments!
Combat the Grind
Greg
Special thanks to Go Moolski @gosiaconda for technical advice on this blog.