What is a French Press?

Hi Susan, The French Press is an immersion brewer, also known as a press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger or cafetière (French), this brewing method takes its name from the early filtration systems that were developed. The French Press system uses gravity and a plunger to extract the flavor from coarsely ground coffee beans while steeping them in hot water. The grounds remain separated from the final product because of a mesh filter at the end of an elongated spout on which they are placed. This produces a very strong brew by extracting more oil and creating additional flavor compounds during the steeping process. Brewing with a French Press is easy. Simply add coarsely ground coffee to the carafe, pour in hot water and let it steep for 3-4 minutes. Then use the plunger to slowly push the grounds down and trap them at the bottom of the carafe. This process should be done slowly to avoid over extraction and bitterness. Finally, pour your delicious coffee into a mug and enjoy! The French Press has become increasingly popular in recent years because it's easy to use, produces a great cup of coffee and is relatively inexpensive. It's also a great way to make iced coffee by simply pouring your cold brew over ice. So if you're looking for a simple, no-fuss way to make a tasty cup of coffee, then the French Press is for you!