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Improving my French press coffee

post #1 of 27
7/7/10 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
I'm relatively new to the French press (been at it a couple of months now), and I've found that once in a while I manage to get a fantastic cup of coffee, once in a while it's just bad, and the rest of the time it's just "OK". I'm using a burr grinder, Starbucks coffee, and I'm measuring the ground coffee and the brew time, but am I missing something that's causing the inconsistency? Any tricks out there to improve the process and get a great pot every time?
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post #2 of 27
7/7/10 at 2:55pm
my guess is that it's the grinder: you're getting an inconsistent grind. for French press, you want a medium-coarse grind. once the size of hte grind is consistent, then you can adjust around it.
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post #3 of 27
7/7/10 at 3:04pm
The Starbucks coffee might not be helping much either. Their coffee is alright, but you could definitely find better.
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post #4 of 27
7/7/10 at 3:06pm
First, you need throw out all of your Starbucks coffee and replace it with quality beans. I recommend Intelligentsia, Stumptown, and Counter Culture coffee beans (my personal favorite is Intelligentsia). One pound of coffee from any of these roasters will only cost slightly more than Starbucks, but will taste many times better. Second, focus on freshness. Grind the beans shortly before brewing. Do not use coffee that is over two weeks (maybe three, but the taste will definitely be sub-par) past the roasting date (all of the previously mentioned coffee roasters provide the roasting date). One other factor might be your grinder. You might be using a low quality burr grinder. A good grinder will set you back at least $150.00, although you could get away with a cheaper grinder (like a Baratza Maestro- $99.00 or Bodum Antigua- $120.00). Use a very coarse grind. Always use filtered or bottled water. Spend a little time on CoffeeGeek (www.coffeegeek.com) and you will pick up a few tips for improving your brew.
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post #5 of 27
7/7/10 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moops View Post
First, you need throw out all of your Starbucks coffee and replace it with quality beans. I recommend Intelligentsia, Stumptown, and Counter Culture coffee beans (my personal favorite is Intelligentsia). One pound of coffee from any of these roasters will only cost slightly more than Starbucks, but will taste many times better.

Second, focus on freshness. Grind the beans shortly before brewing. Do not use coffee that is over two weeks (maybe three, but the taste will definitely be sub-par) past the roasting date (all of the previously mentioned coffee roasters provide the roasting date).

One other factor might be your grinder. You might be using a low quality burr grinder. A good grinder will set you back at least $150.00, although you could get away with a cheaper grinder (like a Baratza Maestro- $99.00). Use a very coarse grind.


Always use filtered or bottled water.

Spend a little time on CoffeeGeek (www.coffeegeek.com) and you will pick up a few tips for improving your brew.

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post #6 of 27
7/8/10 at 12:09am
Thread Starter 
Sounds like great advice! Where can I get the higher-end beans? I'm guessing not in the local whole foods... I'm located on the North Side of Chicago, any recommendations for where to get the good stuff?
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post #7 of 27
7/8/10 at 1:30am
I order my beans from Blue Bottle Coffee when I can't pick up in person. Alternately, I buy in person at Four Barrels in the Mission district of SF. Fresh quality beans are a must for any coffee, not just press. And a quality grinder is a close 2nd.
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post #8 of 27
7/8/10 at 1:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdaws View Post
Sounds like great advice! Where can I get the higher-end beans? I'm guessing not in the local whole foods... I'm located on the North Side of Chicago, any recommendations for where to get the good stuff?
Actually I've heard good things from Whole Foods coffee. You should have some roaster or coffee shop that sells decent stuff... Or you could always go online I have some cold-brewing Kona in my fridge right now, going to be so good
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post #9 of 27
7/8/10 at 2:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdaws View Post
Sounds like great advice! Where can I get the higher-end beans? I'm guessing not in the local whole foods...

I'm located on the North Side of Chicago, any recommendations for where to get the good stuff?


Doesn't Intelligentsia have a place in Chicago?
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post #10 of 27
7/8/10 at 10:50am
Intelligentsia is headquartered in Chicago, so it works out great for you.

Here are their Chicago locations:
Broadway Coffeebar- 3123 N. Broadway St | Chicago, IL 60657
Monadnock Coffeebar- 53 W. Jackson Blvd. | Chicago, IL 60604
Millennium Park Coffeebar- 53 E. Randolph St. | Chicago, IL 60601

www.intelligentsiacoffee.com

Blue Bottle Coffee is great, but if you live on the East Coast, the shipping costs and the decreased freshness due to the increased travel time can dampen the experience.
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post #11 of 27
7/8/10 at 11:19am
I have never understood why people insist on buying expensive grinders. I don't understand the chemistry/physics behind the importance of a more consistent grind (though I do understand that it yields clearer coffee, since you don't get as much dust filtering in).
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post #12 of 27
7/8/10 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by moops View Post
Intelligentsia is headquartered in Chicago, so it works out great for you.

Here are their Chicago locations:
Broadway Coffeebar- 3123 N. Broadway St | Chicago, IL 60657
Monadnock Coffeebar- 53 W. Jackson Blvd. | Chicago, IL 60604
Millennium Park Coffeebar- 53 E. Randolph St. | Chicago, IL 60601

www.intelligentsiacoffee.com

Blue Bottle Coffee is great, but if you live on the East Coast, the shipping costs and the decreased freshness due to the increased travel time can dampen the experience.

Awesome - going there today. Thanks!
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post #13 of 27
7/8/10 at 12:54pm
Intelligentsia is great stuff. I also like Ritual and Ecco (of the ones that place their stuff all over the US).
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post #14 of 27
7/8/10 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaxixi View Post
I have never understood why people insist on buying expensive grinders. I don't understand the chemistry/physics behind the importance of a more consistent grind (though I do understand that it yields clearer coffee, since you don't get as much dust filtering in).

The more consistent in size the ground particles are, the more even the extraction of flavors and oils.

Coffee should be no bigger than a grain of cous cous after grinding. Water temperature just under a boil. When you see the first tiny bubbles appear, it is ready. Boiling water is too hot. Add the water, wait one minute and then give the pot a stir. I use a chop stick. Put the top on and wait 3 minutes. Push down the plunger, you are done. Total brew time is 4 minutes.
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post #15 of 27
7/8/10 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moops View Post
First, you need throw out all of your Starbucks coffee and replace it with quality beans. I recommend Intelligentsia, Stumptown, and Counter Culture coffee beans (my personal favorite is Intelligentsia). One pound of coffee from any of these roasters will only cost slightly more than Starbucks, but will taste many times better.

Second, focus on freshness. Grind the beans shortly before brewing. Do not use coffee that is over two weeks (maybe three, but the taste will definitely be sub-par) past the roasting date (all of the previously mentioned coffee roasters provide the roasting date).

One other factor might be your grinder. You might be using a low quality burr grinder. A good grinder will set you back at least $150.00, although you could get away with a cheaper grinder (like a Baratza Maestro- $99.00 or Bodum Antigua- $120.00). Use a very coarse grind.


Always use filtered or bottled water.

Spend a little time on CoffeeGeek (www.coffeegeek.com) and you will pick up a few tips for improving your brew.

+1
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