Making espresso with a French press is not possible in the traditional sense because espresso is made using high pressure to force water through finely ground coffee, which is not how a French press works. However, you can make a strong coffee that is somewhat similar to espresso in strength and flavor using a French press. Below, I’ll walk you through the steps to make a rich, highly concentrated coffee using a French press.
Ingredients and Equipment
Before we start, ensure you have the following items:
– French press
– Fresh coffee beans (preferably dark roast for more espresso-like flavor)
– Coffee grinder (a burr grinder is preferable for a consistent grind)
– Hot water just off the boil (around 200°F or 93°C)
– Spoon or stirrer
– Mug or cup
– Optional: Scale for measuring coffee
Step 1: Grind Your Coffee
The grind for French press coffee should be coarse, similar to breadcrumbs, but for a stronger brew, use a slightly finer grind, resembling kosher salt in texture.
1. Measure out about 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of coffee beans for an 8-ounce cup.
2. Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
Step 2: Add Coffee to French Press
Place the ground coffee at the bottom of the French press. The proportion of coffee to water in the French press is critical to achieving a strong brew. A common ratio for strong coffee is 1:10, which means for every 1 gram of coffee, you add 10 grams of water. To make an “espresso-like” drink, you may want to slightly increase the coffee concentration.
Step 3: Add Hot Water
Pour hot water, just off the boil, over the grounds in a steady stream while trying to wet all the grounds evenly. Be careful not to fill it too full, as you need to leave space for the plunger.
1. Start your timer once you add the water.
2. Stir the slurry (the mixture of coffee grounds and water) for a few seconds with your spoon or stirrer.
Step 4: Let It Steep
Place the top on the French press, with the plunger pulled all the way up. Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes for optimal flavor extraction. If you desire a stronger taste, you can let it steep for up to 5 minutes, but be aware that this may also increase the bitterness.
Step 5: Plunge
After the coffee has steeped, hold the lid with one hand and slowly depress the plunger with a steady pressure.
1. Make sure not to press too hard or too fast to avoid agitating the grounds, which can make your coffee gritty.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
Pour your “espresso-like” coffee into a cup immediately after plunging to prevent over-extraction. Since you can’t actually make true espresso in a French press, this beverage will be closer to a very strong coffee than a true espresso shot.
1. If desired, dilute with hot water for an Americano-style coffee.
2. Add milk or sugar according to your tastes.
Pro Tips for Best Results
– Use freshly roasted coffee beans for better flavor.
– Ensure the water temperature is right to avoid over-extraction (bitter) or under-extraction (sour).
– Cleaning your French press thoroughly before starting can remove any old coffee grounds or oils that could affect the taste.
– For added body and a creamy texture, consider using a milk frother on warm milk if you enjoy milk-based espresso beverages like lattes or cappuccinos.
Remember, what you create using a French press will not have the same crema or strength as a shot of espresso from an espresso machine due to the lack of pressure during brewing, but it can still be a delicious and robust coffee drink. Enjoy!