I am one of the countless people who enjoy starting their morning with coffee. For a long time, I used instant powder because buying filters to make a single cup each morning seemed like a waste of time and money.
However, after moving in with an Italian girl who didn’t approve of the state of my coffee, I gave in and bought a Cafetiere. The taste of the freshly ground beans is hugely different, and in this article, I will explain to you why this method is a change for the better and how to make coffee in a cafetiere.
What Makes Coffee in a Cafetiere Better?
Using a cafetiere or French press is one of the simplest ways to make your home-brewed cup of coffee taste so much better. It allows the coffee to brew without the use of pressure or boiling, which gives you a smoother texture and a richer taste.
Using filters can reduce the number of fats and oils in the beans, and this is usually where most of the flavour is found. The addition of small amounts of coffee grounds in the brew also helps to add to the taste.
A coffee press is so quick and easy to use. I have found it to be both economical and sustainable because I don’t need to buy any filters or capsules. In general, buying coffee beans is much cheaper than instant coffee powder.
There is also a greater range of intensity and flavour for me to choose from. I can make the coffee to an intensity that I like, by adjusting the number of beans or the brewing time.
There is a vast difference in price between even a high-end cafetiere and a full coffee machine, plus the additional costs for pods or servicing. I am not a morning person and therefore don’t enjoy trying to work out how to use a fancy machine early in the morning. I personally prefer the taste of a freshly pressed cafetiere brew like a machine coffee.
One final benefit that I think is very important in the current climate is that I produce far less waste. It’s not very environmentally friendly to be throwing away a filter paper every time I make one cup of coffee, the same goes for using the pods.
With the cafetiere, I only need the bare ingredients of water and coffee beans. The only thing that gets thrown away is the dregs at the bottom left over from pressing the coffee. The cafetiere can then be cleaned and reused over and over again.
What Should I Buy?
There is an excellent range of options to choose from when buying a cafetiere. I have seen prices range from around £10 to well over £100. Personally, I didn’t feel the need for a hugely expensive one, but you get what you pay for. There are various articles with suggestions for the best ones to buy with a range of different prices. It all depends on what you want.
The main difference is the size. I live alone and so have a small one that makes just one or two cups. If you have a family who all drink coffee or have friends over a lot, then you may want one that allows you to brew a more substantial amount at once.
How to Make the Coffee
I’ve already told you how quick and straightforward it is to use a coffee press, but here are some more tips about how to brew the perfect cup.
I usually start by warming the press with hot water. Doing this will help to keep the coffee warm until you are ready to serve it. If you’re using whole beans, grind them while your pot is heating. I prefer to use freshly ground beans as I find they add more flavour.
It’s better not to use a blade for grinding as this can heat the beans and make them more likely to burn when you brew the coffee. If you buy your coffee from more upmarket shops, they will often offer to grind the beans for you when you buy them.
Next, you need to measure out your grounds. You should experiment a little on how much coffee to add. This will depend on the size of the cafetiere and also how strong you like your coffee. If you are unsure about how much to use, there are online calculators that allow you to input the size of your coffee press and your preferred intensity.
Bring some water almost to the boil and then pour it slowly over the grounds. It’s better not to use water that is too hot, because you might burn the beans, giving the coffee a nasty bitter taste. I find that the flavour infuses better if I make sure to wet all the coffee grounds.
Leave it to brew for around 3-4 minutes. It’s essential to let the coffee stand to give time for the beans to release the flavour. I like to stir my coffee for a few seconds, to make sure all the grounds disperse evenly in the water.
Now comes the crucial part, gently press down and take your time. If the press seems to get ‘stuck’, lift the plunger a little bit and then carry on pressing down as you were. Leave it to stand for a couple of seconds more and then pour yourself a cup and enjoy!
Conclusion
I have found so many benefits to making my coffee using a cafetiere. There are so many types to choose from so you can easily find the one that suits what you’re looking for. They’re quick and straightforward to use, so I don’t have to worry about overthinking before I get my morning coffee.
With such a range in price, they’re incredibly affordable, and now that I have one, the only other thing I need is the coffee! I don’t have to buy extra bits, and I don’t produce as much waste.
My coffee has a better taste and texture, and I have much more freedom to make a brew to my preference. Personally, I love everything about my cafetiere, and I would definitely recommend that you try using one!