How to brew the perfect cup of Kona Coffee using a French Press
Are you fan of the French press? We are. If you’re looking to brew your Kona coffee using this method, it is important to pay attention to the details.
The French press is a popular method with us as well. Though there’s a lot of detail in doing a French press right, the payoff is an amazing cup of Kona coffee. Taking care to ensure the water is the correct temperature, the beans are ground just right and allowing them to properly steep makes for one of the best cups of coffee you’ll have.
Get the following pieces of equipment together:
Kona coffee beans
A grinder – burr or blade
Measuring spoons
A hot pot or a Pyrex measuring cup (for the boiling water)
A French press (of course)
Measure out one container of filtered water using the French press. Put it aside in the hot pot or Pyrex measuring cup.
How to find the right grind for your taste.
Grind 2 to 4 tablespoons of coffee beans. We recommend grinds of approximately 1/16th an inch. A burr grinder is best, but if you’re using a blade grinder, use it in short bursts, shaking the grinder to achieve uniform size grinds.
Keep in mind that you can play with the grind of your coffee. But the general rule is that the finer the grind, the more powerful and thick the coffee will be. For a strong, Turkish-style coffee, grind your Kona coffee until it is very fine. For something with more finesse, try a coarser grind.
When you have your desired grind, put it in the bottom of the French press.
Heat up your filtered water. Feel free to use a kettle, though a hot pot or microwave is very convenient. The best temperature for this purpose is a little below boiling — not boiling hot, as this tends to scorch the grinds and will make your coffee bitter. We usually wait 15-30 seconds after the water boils, so it cools down to about 200 to 205 degrees. If you choose to microwave your water, use the Pyrex you poured the water in.
The press in French press.
Pour the hot water into the French press. We prefer to stir to get a nice brownish crema (foam) on top. After you’ve filled the press with water, press the handle into position. Push the handle about 1/4 of the way down, stop. Allow the press to steep for 3 to 6 minutes. The longer the coffee is allowed to steep, the more powerful the flavors will be.
When you’re satisfied with how long it’s been steeping, slowly depress the plunger to the bottom of the press. Pour it in your favorite cup.
Enjoy!
Editors Note: I typically grind my beans finer for a press than most “pressers”. My theory being I get the most flavor out my beans this way. The caveat though is you will get a little sludge in the bottom of the cup. So I don’t drink the last swallow. 🙂