The Ultimate French Press Technique
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- čas přidán 1. 10. 2016
- This is a guide to getting the best tasting, cleanest, most delicious, sludge-free cup of coffee from a french press.
Music:
Chris Zabriskie - chriszabriskie.com/honor/
For more brewing techniques, check my book:
The World Atlas of Coffee - www.theworldatlasofcoffee.com
Links:
Patreon: / jameshoffmann
My Book: geni.us/atlasofcoffee
Limited Edition Merch: www.tenshundredsthousands.com
Instagram: / jimseven
Twitter: / jimseven
My coffee kit (studio): kit.co/jimseven/studio-coffee...
My video kit: kit.co/jimseven/video-making-... - Zábava
To those arguing in the comments about this method: For the fullest tasting coffee with the least amount of effort, I prefer to chew the beans directly. Amazing caffeine boost and no cleanup required.
I concur buddy.
I play around the same technique.
Best way to consume coffee
I prefer to directly inject the caffeine into my forearm
"Sir, I just can't eat any more raw coffee." Kryten, 'Red Dwarf'
I was laughing so hard, I thought i am dying
I prefer to grind to just above Turkish coffee grind size before I chew. Usually a single origin Ethiopia. Chew at least 10 to 11 times before finally ingesting. Follow with a hot reverse osmosis water shooter. It's like an internal Aeropress. 😏☕🎭
30gr medium coarse grounded Coffee + 500 ml water
+ leave it 4 minutes
+ mix a bit, remove foam and fines
+ let it rest 5 or + minutes
+ After that, press the filter just until the surface and pour the coffee through it (without pressing the plunge all the way).
Just a reminder for myself, as I always come back to this video 😁
What do you mean by '5+ minutes without them'? (wow such a recent comment with so many likes!)
@@RockinEnabled I just meant without the grounded coffee on top. After the four minutes, you mix it with the spoon and you can then remove the left bits with the foam. After that let it rest 5 or more minutes, before pressing the filter down
@@augustoponce4208 alright, got it. It just sounded as if you managed to remove all the grounds :D
@@augustoponce4208 so this is 9 minute process? Surely it's cold by then?
@@SliponGravel1 no, it's probably still around 80C that's ideal for drinking
Thanks James.
I used this tutorial to make coffee at a friend´s house, he uses his French press every morning, and has done so for the last 10 years for his morning coffee,
After tasting it my friend said this was the best coffee he had ever drank out of that French press and asked me what coffee was I using,(thinking I had brough my own beans) when I said "the one next to your coffee machine" he could not believe it was only technique.
Camilo and myself are both very pleased with our coffees and it is thanks to you sir.
Quick update for everyone asking, things have escalated quickly and there's now a coffee grinder on its way to my hands... Next step in blowing my friend's mind, truly fresh coffee.
The soundtrack really makes it feel like James is teaching us his French press technique after the apocalypse.
POV: Sitting in french press class aboard an interstellar ship searching for the next habitable exoplanet
this could end up being true one day and you'll end up top comment
It is also the background music form the exceptional cereal podcast, The Empty Bowl. The Sun is Scheduled to Come Out Tomorrow by Chris Zabriskie
Don't forget kid : "Use fresh, filtered water".
Grind medium
30g to 500g water
Sit for 4 minutes
Stir crust and then scoop up foam and coffee bits off the top
Wait 5-8 minutes
Plunge just to underneath the surface and pour gently and carefully.
Doing God's work. Thanks!
These are quite slow videos so thanks.
I didn't understand.
8 mins at all, or 12 mins?
@@user-hu5kg2jc6g 9-12min total.
-wait 4 minutes
-stir and skim foam with spoon
-wait 5 to 8 minutes.
🤔 Medium meaning filter coffee coarseness?
The music you chose puts me in the mindset that you're an astronaut recording a message for your children and telling them the work you're doing is important but you don't know when or if you'll come back home.
Aw, that hypothetical situation just made me kinda sad :( Come back home safely, Papa Hoffman!
I was literally thinking: Is this a tutorial or an inspirational video? Either way - I know I must do better. But also, now I feel the strangest compulsion to watch Interstellar while using a French Press. XD
@Your Dad Best comment I've read so far.
MURPH
Quite funny. 8 out of 10 stars. Well done.
Six year old video and it still makes an impact. I've increased my beans to 70g/L and use your technique here every morning. Thank you James! Outstanding!
Ey mate, do you leave the brewed coffee in the press as you are enjoying it? Or do you pour all of it out into another container when its done brewing?
@@AB0BA_69 I got me a thermos - that works!
@@AB0BA_69Takeout all of the coffee from the beaker after it's done brewing. Pour into cups or another container if no one wants to drink it immediately. Because if we're being super technical here, as long as there's heat mixed with sediments, it's still brewing.
@@edoalva48 thanks, mate. Wanna buy a french press to have some variety. Really enjoying james' method for prepping a moka pot though!
@@edoalva48is there anything you recommend keeping the brewed coffee in if you weren't going to drink it straight away? (I feel like for convenience I will be brewing several cups and drinking one at a time)
I so appreciate this video. I'm a coffee noob who's finally decided to graduate from instant to the real deal. I agonized for months over what brewing method to use... the amount of equipment required, the taste I'm supposed to get from it... I finally settled on French press because of its simplicity, the kind of flavor to expect, and the absence of requiring paper filters. I brewed my first cup of coffee in my new French press this morning following your advice and it turned out so clean, bright, and beautiful. No sludge or debris. I know you say this method takes patience, but it's really not that big of a deal when you're busy prepping breakfast at the same time. Thank you for sharing this method. No more weak, bland instant. Now its on to finding the exact brand of coffee that I like the most. :)
Taylors hot lava java 🔥
Congrats on the upgrade to french press! It's amazing how little money is required to brew a great cup. Spend that money on quality coffee rather than fancy equipment that take up space.
#2. Black Cat espresso or House Blend from Intelligentsia. It is priced right and the quality is out of this world.
#1 but a little higher priced is LifeBoost Coffee. For the price point nothing better that I can find. Both of these coffees will not disappoint you. Zero bitter and come in whatever type of roast you want and all with no artificial flavors. Drink and enjoy!!
Check out some local coffee shops. A lot of them sell their beans
Are you me? I liked cappuccinos, I had one bad cup of coffee somewhere and decided to go balls out and ordered myself a milk foamer as well as a french press and I plan to buy some quality coffee from a local tea/coffee store that I know offers amazing quality. I am so hyped for this, took me years to try and like coffee and now I just crave for it.
Me: 2x playback speed
Him: Step One: Don’t be in a hurry
Me: 😞
Ikr?
😞
I watch everything in 2x playback speed. This guy isn't special.
@@ghosty4 But you apparently need complete strangers to think you are, lol.
😂😢😂
I have made exclusively French press coffee for years and tried this method this morning. It was quite literally the best cup I’ve ever made
Same, and I'm coming from the Blue Bottle method of brewing, so I had figured that I knew what I was doing.
Thinking of buying a french presser myself. I have a expensive dripping machine but french press is the way to go?
It’s just one way. Makes a very rich cup of coffee with a rounder oilier mouth feel. This method makes the coffee taste much cleaner and more pleasant for me.
I have a question. When the brew is done and you put the plunjer in, do you poor all the coffee into a thermos or does keeping the coffee in the press does not alter the taste too much (as it gets more brewtime aswell)?
Zane I just try to drink it as quickly as possible...but yeah, I guess you could pour it all into a different carafe.
Anyone else love coming back to these old videos? It is fun to see the difference in production values to his new ones. Both good, both interesting, both educational. But the experience shows.
I'm a daily Aeropress user but over Christmas I'll be swapping back to a French Press so I'm back here taking notes ;-)
@@groundcontrolto какой у вас френч, модель?
I’ve been a daily coffee drinker for the past 25 years and always assumed I was making it correctly because it tasted ‘ok’. I never imagined that by making some small tweaks and following your process would make me fall in love with my daily pleasure all over again. Thank you for your educational and entertaining content.
Suggested activities while you are waiting -
- Read the newspaper
- Make breakfast
- Make a pot of tea
Spot of tea*
Make a great cup of coffee using a coffee machine
This comment made by Tea Gang
Just use a coffee machine, it'll last you a longer time
Talk to my animal crossing villagers... Tis a great way to start the day x)
I trust a man in his thirties with grey hair and retro glasses knows his coffee
I know right lmao, if I am going to trust anyone about coffee it will be this guy
hes also like a former world barista champion so he knows his stuff
I wish someone would explain the reasoning behind this in detail. I know that's a lot for a youtube comment, but I want a full essay that a picky English professor would give an A.
@@t_y8274 Thank you for a level of effort I didn't expect. I admit I was trying to provoke some things. I truly don't know why OP's description would equal "knows his coffee" but figured it was related to the kind of profiling you mentioned. If he were in his 20s or 40s should he know less about coffee? If he had brown hair, blond hair or no hair should he know less? If he had more current styled glasses or perfect vision, should he know less about coffee? My provocation is in hope that at some point this breaks down and that such assumptions are exposed as nonsense.
@@echt114 I'll bite. This "profiling" is not nonsense, but it is holistic. We are matching his profile to stereotypes, not against individual features, so by contradicting the analysis with equally viable alternatives you are making a strawman argument. It is not about what could be, it is about what is right in front of you. Here we have a young-ish man seemingly mature beyond his years (30 and grey, presents himself well) with an apparent hyper-interest in coffee that is common to hipsters (retro glasses, again being 30 and having grey hair is a very quirky type of hipster affectation). Essentially, he has all the signs of a nerdy 20 year old barista but with the extra aging and disposition that indicates a serious, matured interest. I could say more but that seems like enough.
In the first week of meeting one another, he sent me this video and told me this was how he made his coffee. He was really excited about it too. He really loved his coffee like this. I memorized the steps for him, I watched this over and over. I wanted to make him coffee like this one day. We don't talk anymore, its been a while since I last got a text from him. We don't talk anymore. I still know how to make this damn coffee. I miss him so much.
I hope you can find the time to finally heal your heart. Happy new years.
I felt your pain reading this. I mean this with full compassion when I say that God loves you and has gifted you with everlasting life if you place your faith and trust in Jesus. I don't know your name, but I will pray for your eternal well-being today. May God bless you and your family.
@phantasmacapture278 actually stop. No one wants your religion pushed on them.
So sweet
@@phantasmacapture278there is no god.
We got inspired by your youtube videos and used your method in our cafatiere. Then we went to grinding whole roast beans, escaping the supermarket packs of preground. Now we buy green breans from specific growers and roast them ourselves. A whole new adventure of taste has opened up. Occasionally we buy a small pack of roasted beans from suppliers like yourselves to see how our roasting technique compares. Thanks for a whole new world of coffee pleasure.
Wow, going from grocery store to green beans and self roasting. That's impressive. I have a local roaster that's extremely good and gets good beans from small farms. But, I do have a family member that lives in Cuba half the year and grows robusta coffee, so I could see about getting some of that to roast myself the old fashioned way.
He doesn't even recommend pressing a French press, this guy is a madman!!
I feel like you have to keep in your character a little bit.
"Press the press he does not! Madness...this is..." or something
@@steelonius HMmmm!
He doesn’t even recommend frenching a French press, this guy is a madman!!!
@@markussther5326 The French don't do well under pressure.
As a German I can vouch for that
25 years of French Press coffee every morning and then this . Don't know whether to be pleased at finding a great way to make my morning coffee or peed off that I could have had a superior brew all these years .
comparison is the thief of joy, but be encouraged that you've gone that far in life & are still improving things.
This was the best French press coffee tip I’ve seen in decades. I’ve always loved the deep, rich, full bodied flavor but despised the sludge I’d encounter at the bottom of my mug. His theory forgoing the plunge makes total sense and I haven’t seen any sludge since then
Yes, and he didn't invent the idea. We've just been doing it wrong,😂
Someone bought me a one because they asked me for a cup of coffee and I broke out a pop and a hand strainer/colander. I explained that I got sick of breaking those glass coffee pots and buying new coffee machine ever couple months so I started doing it this way and I actually love the way it comes out. So he got me one and I just started using it. Thought I was doing it wrong that’s why I’m on this video but it just turn out I actually like making 2 cups at a time on the stove because I have figured out the exact amount of everything and the technique I’m using. This video just confirmed that I like my old method and I’ll be storing that French press right next to the crockpot someone bought me because it was supposed to be a better method as well.
@@marcuslarwa9098 or else buy a stainless steel french press and never worry about the carafe breaking.
@@ThePdxster nah I’ll just keep doing it the way I am
L
1❤1❤❤1@@cassaleelee
I watch this every time I make french press, and what drives me crazy every time, is that he tells us to grab two spoons, and only uses one! What is the other one for? Does its mere presence enhance the taste of the coffee? The esoteric music just further enhances this magical mystery. I feel like there‘s some cosmic secret wisdom here that we‘ll never fully grasp.
My friend, why do you have me about to make a pot of coffee at 2AM?
@Pramienjager, personally, I AM more than happy to drink coffee, anytime, 2AM, 2PM, Noon, Midnight, etc.
MOOD
Literally what I'm doing rn lol
And me at 5:33 p.m.
3 AM here :/
You have just reinvented my home coffee brewing experience. I have been drinking coffee for about 17 years, most of that time with a French press at home. I was content with what i was drinking, but after watching this video (which i found through Tom Scott) i bought a cheap grinder and some beans and followed these steps. Brilliant coffee, i never knew just how good a coffee i could make at home, so thank you very much for this video!
Are you me from the future? I was just thinking of doing this last night
Also found this channel through Tom haha
Amateur
Which Tom Scott video led you here?
@@Lawls the one in his plus channel. Tom Scott plus
@@Lawls The one in which he drinks coffee duh
Thank you James for this brewing method! It lifts my morning coffee to a higher level: a slow morning ritual to start softly into the morning, more time to prepare my breaktfast simultaneously (in the past I brewed only 4 minutes) and in the end it tastes way more delicious! Thank you... and of course for your time and content!
I've been watching your videos for about two weeks. Started with your newer stuff, but eventually I found this. French press has always been my preferred method. I've read about how to make a good press, and I thought I was basically doing things right. I wasn't wrong but wow there was so much more I could do. I haven't been able to get a hold of decent coffee yet, but just with grocery store beans this has already changed my coffee life. Thank you so much.
I watched this and as someone who has used French presses/ cafetieres for many years both at home and in the office (where we have a cupboard full of them) I have to say I considered this ridiculous. Their advantage is that they are a quick and simple to way to produce good brewed coffee. Whack in the coffee, add the water, press the plunger and you’re good to go.
But hey, never let it be said that you can’t teach this old dog a new trick, so I thought I’d give it a go.
Thank you James, consider this old hound educated and from now on, no more quick pour-and-plunge for me! ☺️
Here we have the difference between coffee as art and as a drug.
Have you tried his method and tasted any differences?... I think you might be surprised.
It's a matter of: "do you eat to live? Or do you live to eat?"
I saw this video a while back and today, completely unrelatedly, I bought the World Atlas of Coffee. When I read the French Press recipe, I thought it sounded familiar. So I looked up this video and see that you're actually the author of the book, haha.
Thanks :)
the more reason we should support this channel! :D
This comment made my day!!
@@heyjude4485 I could not agree with you more!!
This comment made my day, too!!
I tried your method this morning and by gosh it worked exactly as you promised. 😋
I've been making french press coffee religiously for over ten years now...
Well done teaching an old dog a new trick. 🙏🐶☕💯
Skeptically, I tried this method today. Not sure why I'd be skeptical as it came straight from THE coffee guru. At any rate... absolutely THE best French press brew... EVER!! Smoothest taste AND literally zero specks of coffee silt in cup.
Like my java hot. Assumed this would be a problem. I swear the cup's temp ROSE during the process. Totally turned physics on its head!! Thank you James!
Well that’s what I was wondering. How after eight minutes is this still hot? When when I pour a cup of coffee in a ceramic mug it’s cold within 2 to 3 minutes. I even heat up my cream and it’s still cold. I don’t understand how this keeps the coffee hot and what do you do if you want to make 2 cups of coffee? How do you keep the rest of the coffee hot because you can’t put it on a stove top?
@@christinaknapp5979 Get a stainless steel, double wall vacuum insulated French Press. Preheat it with hot water before you start brewing. Also preheat your mug before pouring.
Saved this video form Facebook, only watched it on Saturday. If I'm honest I was not sold on the process, after 20 years of making French Press I though I had it dialed in, I was wrong. Not exactly sure why it makes such a difference, but after using this process 8 times (since Saturday) it is my new standard. Thanks!
does the longer extraction time cause bitterness?
and if not, why not?
Craig Brady what made the difference, for you?
@Craig Brady I agree, like you I thought I had it dialed in but Oh my gosh is it way better when sitting. I go a total of 9 min and it works perfectly bc I still want my coffee relatively hot. I told the Baristas at my local roasters about this method and they think I'm crazy :)
Mark DLT Did you tell them it’s how James Hoffman makes presspot and you didn’t actually develop the process? That might give them pause.
I come to inform you that this has delightfully been dubbed 'The Hoffman Technique" on the coffee subreddit. Everyone knows about the Hoffman Technique.
I follow Hoffman's tech for all my extractions, be it with moka pot, V60 or French press.
So I just googled the Hoffman Technique and it's also a method to treat inverted nipples. The more you know.
@@niallmurphy2163 They must use the aeropress for that one
yes, everyone knows about nipples
Reddit ruins my hobbies to where I obsess over them.
This technique was a game changer for me. Best tasting french press ever; worth the wait. Thanks so much James.
I feel the need to add my voice to the chorus of those whose lives have been changed by this short video.
Until this Christmas I have always used an old blade grinder, cheap coffee machine, and flat metal filter to make coffee. Now, armed with a Hario Slim and this technique, I make the tastiest coffee for my spouse and I every single morning. Feeling grateful for such a tasty cup because of the knowledge you've imparted. Cheers!
Which Hario Slim did you get? I see many of the capacity is less than an ounce.
@@VonFisch1HARIO Mini-Slim Plus Grinder
SIZE: W150 x D72 x H220mm
(W5.9 x D2.8 x H8.7in)
CAPACITY: 24g (0.85oz)
I holds enough for my 500ml French Press. I grind and brew once for each person I'm serving.
@@VonFisch1 I don't yet have a digital scale, so I just took the average weight of coffee beans, counted out the requisite number, and used a scoop to estimate how many scoops it might be. So I'm likely grinding 30-40 grams in it each time. Sometimes the grounds are pretty close to the adjustment nut. So max capacity seems closer to 2oz to me, despite the listing.
@@domongart9331 Thanks for getting back! Which one did you pick, though? I actually have a digital scale that I got on Amazon almost three years ago and it seems to work well enough. ONEKG Digital Food Kitchen Scale, 7 Units LCD Display Scale in KG, G, oz, lb, tl, ml and ml(Milk), Max 11lbs/5kg Precise Scale for Cooking, Stainless Looks like it's not available anymore. I had paid just over $11. It's been very useful for more than coffee, I got it for other things. I'm doing coffee for French press. Just did his Ultimate Method for it, it wasn't bitter like I was worried about but his recipe requires 30 gm and I see a lot of Hario at 0.8 oz so I'd have to grind in batches.
@@domongart9331 I totally missed this! Thank you!
This has been a game changer. No more sludge at the bottom of my cup of coffee and the whole practice of making my French press coffee has become an almost meditative practice as I just sit and watch/wait. Thank you, James!
I tried it today and it made no difference for me 😔 what am I doing wrong
@@Heto75 probably nothing. he is grinding to a medium so smaller pieces will absorb more water so sink faster
@@Heto75 was your coffee bad before? Maybe you made a good coffee in a different way 🤷♂️
Many roads lead to rome
French Press , invented by an Italian.
Spanish Flu, Started in U.S.A.
How many Historical dysphoria is going the Left invent?
@@valentinvanruiz unpopular opinion: everything starting with French was not invented there. French Fries are from Belgium. French Kiss from Germany.
me: How to use a french press
james: you dont, just soak and strain.
me: oh okay
I have returned to this video multiple times and only now written down the method! I have used this for years and while I often prefer a V60 or Chemex brew, I enjoy changing it up every now and then and using the French press. Thanks for an exceptional video and reliably effective method!
Just did this this morning and it was a complete game changer! My coffee tasted incredible with the 500g to 30g water/coffee ratio and letting it set for five mins! Learned so much! I always come to your channel when I’m wondering about something specific about coffee. Thanks again!
Did you weigh the water or did you mean 500ml?
I just learned from other comments that 1ml water = 1g water, so maybe you did weigh it!
Gringo
@@alanhedwig4483thats just how metric works. Just like 1 liter/1000ml of water is 1kg/1000 grams. Although its not exact, and even water temp slightly changes the weight of it so you often see even James using digital scale to measure water not to mention the scale is more convenient than using the lines in measuring cup
I work in a cafe as a baker and I have just prepared a cup of french press using this method and the main barista asked me, whether I'd be interesting in starting to train to be barista in the future.
And? Have you started?
He's not in a rush
James helping dreams come true every day 🌠 ☕
I work as a baker in a cafe as well and I'll have to try this method.
That sounds like a demotion.
I'm not embarrassed to say I watched this 3 times...this is what I'm doing during the quarantine. I never knew coffee could taste so good
Ditto! I watched it 4 times! LOL. It was like my REAL 1st cup of coffee. :)
The Hoffman has spoiled me for drinking coffee outside my home. I use his Clever Dripper, Aeropress and French Press methods. My reaction to the first sip now must be the heavens opening and angel choirs singing, or down the drain it goes.
5 timer already 🙋🏻♂️
I've used French press for years and just had a profoundly better coffee after following these tips. Tasted like filter coffee; I didn't even realise the bitter sludgines could be prevented!
As someone who looks to get the most out of everything I do, I was intrigued by this video as I do use a French Press. I was skeptical as I was always told to NOT let the coffee brew for more than 4’ as it will become bitter.
I then saw another video that said 5’. I tried that and was happy to taste more flavor. Now I see this video that states NINE minutes…okay, I’ll try it.
Wow! I was very surprised at the flavor extraction. I only had cheap beans on hand but the coffee was excellent! The only thing I did differently was leave the plunger just on top to help keep it hot. After the 9’, I poured the coffee and the temp was only at 145*. But it tasted great. Just a quick nuke to warm it back up and was good to go.
I will ALWAYS make it this way from now on. Now just need to get quality beans.
Thanks for the great video.
Ever try an insulated stainless steel french press? I warm both the outside and inside with hot water right before steeping. I don't think the temperature drops much more one or two degrees per minute of steep. It could slightly affect the extraction and character, maybe just needing slight adjustments. Im pretty sure my taste buds aren't refined enough to make that kind of judgement, though. I just know it's hot. Haha
Your instructions have helped my coworkers and I survive the morning and made coffee time a special occasion for the last two years. We're all grateful for your teachings, Mr Hoffman. Thank you.
I don't know if you'll ever read this but I'll leave my testimony after watching this video and making myself a french press coffee.
In short: I'll never go back to the way I did before.
Long version: I was living in Germany and one of my acquainted did a coffee course in Asia (Maybe Indonesia, I don't recall). and he told me all about grinding the grain slowly with a manual grinder, how to brew the coffee, and so on. I was mesmerized. Since I always loved coffee (Being Brazilian and working in IT, it is a required fuel) I dived in, bought a french press, a grinder, and a whole bean Colombian coffee. On the same day he came by and I was eager to show him that I have learned and would like him and his wife to taste my coffee. Let's say they are the most polite and humble people I've seen. It was by far the worst coffee we all ever tasted. The grind was terrible, the time was too little and the result was catastrophic: A clear water with some translucid brownish color inside a transparent glass cup. I'll never forget and of course, I learned with my mistake and improved upon it. Went down to youtube, used a scale to measure the coffee, a graded glass to measure the water and tried different times to grind with my manual cheap machine to get the best result, wrote down the numbers until I got a decent cup of coffee. Took me a lot of time. One day they came by again and I served them a real cup of coffee that they smelled, put against the light, tasted it, gave me the notes, and enjoyed. It was a real Brazilian coffee, made with passion, love, and determination.
Today I watched your technique and tested it. It was extremely easy and after implemented I got the same result, a clear cup without deposit and excellent taste. Way better than the way I was doing.
I found you out of the blue, thanks to the CZcams algorithm, and I couldn't be happier.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Cheers, now from Miami, FL.
Opa, estou comecando essa jornada agora e achei interessante seu relato. Tambem brasileiro morando na Alemanha, gostaria de saber que café de alta qualidade voce usava... sao tantas opcoes de café em embalagens enormes que nao sei por onde comecar... abraco!
Aaahhhh what a nice 1 year old brewed comment , Thanks buddy!
Cheers
I can't believe how much better this method has improved my French Press. Thank you James!
I used this technique today for the first time and produced an amazing cup of coffee with no sludge at the bottom of my cup. Thanks James for the technique!
This is what I call "Unintentional ASMR". I felt serene watching this video. The droning music is the perfect background for a relaxed feeling. I had to watch it multiple times to memorize this odd technique. I almost fell asleep watching it.
same here. very satisfying to watch
I'm on my second run...😂😂😂
I've watched this too many times to still not know what the second spoon is for.
To achieve enlightenment 🥄
For a split second, you can see he's using both to skim off the remaining foam and grounds after stirring the coffee "crust" 2:18
Lol
it is a technique used by professional tasters to skim the foam out of the surface of the brewing coffee... you use 2 spoons instead of one cause like that you can cover the whole surface collecting all the foam at once
The 2nd spoon is in your mind.
I tried this recipe this morning and I can say this recipe is the best French Press recipe I've ever tried. I know it takes a lot of time, but the taste of the coffee is amazing.
I probably haven’t used a French press for making my own coffee for 25 years - this methodology has been a real eye opener. Thank you Mr Hoffmann.
I have been drinking coffee for the past 15 years, multiple coffees everyday, and in the past years I don't think I have had more than 10 or 15 days where I didn't drink coffee at all... All that to say... I tried this technique yesterday and made the most beautiful cup of coffee of my life, retried this morning twice and this is insane. Such a small difference compared with how I used to make it, but such a strong difference and taste, aromatics, smell... I cannot wait to try other beans with this technique! Thank you very much James
Me too same for me... I have been making french press coffee using the "plunge" method.. big mistake! I too had one of the best cups i had in a while. I'm going to buy some different beans and make it a bit stronger next time to test.. I shouldn't go for another for it's 4PM but.. I think I will. Thanks again James Hoffmann
I literally just bought a French Press minutes ago and tried brewing this way for the first time.
I've just made the best cup of coffe I have ever tasted IN MY LIFE 😐
Idk why my homemade coffee always sucks :(
@@MichelleG333 If the coffee you're buying has good quality then probably you can blame the water. If the water itself isn't that good then doing coffee with it won't do the magic.
This video is informative and calming, almost meditative. Thank you James.
It really is a fantastic way to start the day.
Such a great video. And wild to see how far the channel has come since 2016! Many thanks, James!
So even using my old, pre ground, supermarket coffee and unfiltered tap water using this method resulted in a way better cup of coffee. Thank you!
I'm so happy for you James. I've been following you on Facebook for some time now and for you to have a million subs here on CZcams makes me happy. Thank you so much for all the coffee knowledge.
I prepared my coffee this morning following the method described. The resulting brew has a somewhat brighter, sharper quality on the tongue, is the perfect temperature to drink without burning at all, and is clean and sludge-free just as described :) Bravo!
James, I never. NEVER. Thought I could make a cup this good. I knew it was out there, this flavor without overwhelming bitterness, these citrus notes dancing deep in each sip. But I thought it would be from some out of reach method / impossible for me to do. Well, I tried this method. Actually let it sit, I waited. And after carefully pressing (I have an espro), I found the 1. Cleanest and 2. Most flavorful and not bitter cup of coffee I've ever had (despite using a dark roast!). Also my first time using an electric burr grinder.
I'm sitting on my porch, enjoying this cup, and I can't help but think this changes everything. How I start my day, how I feel about life. Coffee is a rock upon which we build the day, it is the call to see our greatest visions take shape like the rising coils of steam that carry the aroma, a falcon of flavor riding the jet-stream and erupting into reality.
chill out man
It's so good it turned someone into a poet
@@fpcawolff his caffeine just kicked in
That last bit sounded like some Nietzscheian aphorism. Though I'm not a big fan of his lol.
Btw, do you drink your coffee with milk and sugar or black?
Well applied, my good sir.
I just tried this today. You were 100% correct. My French Press technique had been to be patient anyhow, but there were two extra steps you show here that I absolutely adore. You have gained a subscriber!
I tried this method this morning and what a difference it made absolutely delicious coffee.
This became my french press brewing technique. I only changed one thing. I slightly swirl the french press (like you do with a pour-over) after 4 minutes. The crust and all the small parts will fall down without using a spoon.
no, he uses the spoon to take out those yellow substance
@@GigaChadL337 not initially. He first stirs with the spoon to break the crust, which OP here is replacing with a swirl. Then after that he uses 2 spoons to scoop any remaining bits from the surface.
you just don't wanna wash the spoon do you? love that xD
I happened across this channel by accident and just got sucked in. I love coffee and I was given a french press for Christmas a year or so ago but never used it. I just did everything in this video and this is the best coffee I have ever made for myself.
I just had the best cup of coffee in my life! I was initially concerned the coffee would get too cold waiting the extra 8 minutes, but I wrap my press with a towel anyway and I kept the top covered so the coffee stayed hot. It’s like the finest, polished cup much like a pour over, but without the paper taste. Thank you James!!!!
I was sad about breaking my v60 the other day. I thought I can't make a good coffee now. I pulled out my old french press, found this video and on the second attempt, when I got the grind right, it was one of the best drinks I've ever made. 😮 Amazing!
I appreciate how quick and to the point this was. Thanks for the tips!
I was initially doubtful about this technique. It took me two years to try it and now I wish I hadn't waited so long. It was best cup of coffee I ever had, and I brewed it! So good!
Same here. It really is well thought out.
I used to scoop in a random amount of coffee, stir it then plunge it after a few mins.. oh how I was wrong. I’ve just tried your technique and I can say this is the best french press I’ve ever made. Incredible
James - thank you so very much for making this video. Since the time I got my French press 6 years ago I have always been disappointed by my results. After watching this video I found out I was using too much coffee to water, not getting my water hot enough, not brewing nearly long enough, and stirring up all the silt with the plunger at the end of the brew. I just brewed a cup to your specifications and it is finally the home-brewed French press I’ve been searching for. Cheers
I’ve had very inconsistent results with my percolator and gave up on my French press a while ago. I just tried this process and It might be the best coffee I have made in a while. THANK YOU!
I've been making french press for years, but it wasn't until I used this technique that I realized just how good it could be. Thank you!
Wow. I really didn't think this was going to work and it was going to be really bitter. But I have to say this just took my French Press to a new level. Thanks James!
Doc Chronic Mine tastes like water
@@redpanda7967 too coarse or too much water?
Me too. I think breaking the crust slows/stops the brewing process and allows more heat to escape which slows brewing even more. That's why it's not overextracted. Grind size and uniformity is also important.
I have been experimenting with this technique for a few days. I am very pleased with the results. Full flavors and clear coffee.
Looking back on this video it's insane to see how far this channel has come in 7 years
Bru what a difference this French Press brings out of normal coffee beans😳😳
Now yesterday 16/11/2020 I went out to buy my normal ground JACOBS KRONUNG Coffee, to my annoyance when I got home only to realize that I bought coffee beans instead.
Worried as to what I’m gonna do with those,I quickly remembered that my mom had always had a brand new French Press that’s been laying idle somewhere in the kitchen and so I rummaged through everything and dug it out.
Thereafter looked for techniques on how to make coffee using this very French Press method,I followed your instructions to the T and on my first attempt I made the BEST tasting cup of coffee ever,like ever bru 😉👍🏿👊🏿 THANK YOU.
By the way I ground my coffee ultra fine with my handheld blender and it came out tops👌🏿 I know your coffee purists will say JACOBS is not really a “Connoisseurs” choice, but hey this is/was my first foray in this pressed coffee game,going forth I’m gonna buy “real coffee” from Guatemala,Ethiopia and wherever else they make this stuff😉
One thing I’ve noticed though with my coffee is that when I poured the boiled water the whole coffee/slush rose to the top,to which I waited for about 2 minutes to observe and see if it would sink back down but to no avail,I thereafter stirred the top part as you’d advised but the whole thing sunk to the bottom of the beaker...now I am not certain if that’s an indication of the quality of the coffee or if it differs as per brand/make/strength/country of origin coz as we all know JACOBS is largely a commercial brand, could you or any coffee connoisseur who’s reading this advice on what the cause of that is/was.
With all that,I put the plunger in as per your advice and strained it like you have suggested and it came out perfectly fine with no pips/sediments at the bottom of the cup whatsoever,hence I’ve declared this the best cup of coffee I’ve ever made myself.
I may be 4 years late in learning this new technique but I am grateful for your assistance/guidance to making the best cup of coffee ever.👊🏿👍🏿🇿🇦
What would cause sludge/silt to still be at the bottom of the cup after using this technique?
"The longer you leave it, the better its going to taste." Instructions not clear, left coffee for 5 months, coffee cold and tasted awful.
you're in QA aren't you ;)
this make me LMAO. God I'm easy 😅.
😂
I don't it's physically possible to taste that coffee and salso find it cold
Hey, this dubious drink can grant you superpowers or a really bad stomach ache. I’m willing to take that risk! /jk
I love the soothing music in the background, thank you Hoffman for your Incredible tutorial videos.
Brilliant. Simple. Pure. Love it, thank you James!
Ok...this really is the best cup of French Press coffee I've made lol.
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I kept messing up with this brew method that I was ready to forget it altogether.
All the little tips in between like scooping off the top, giving it enough time to settle afterwards, and pressing the plunger only slightly made a huge improvement to the brew. Thanks for the video!
I have a question. Did you leave the lid off during the brewing process? I notice that James does but doing that for roughly ten minutes would allow a lot of heat to escape.
Didn’t your coffee go cold?? Mine did and it tasted like crap.
@@iamme1566 I have no idea how it could get cold. Mine was the perfect drinking temp after 4 + 8. I used boiling water. At my elevations that’s like 96C
Interesting, I never thought about using my press without actually 'pressing'!
curious. I got a press... watched a few videos its incredible how many bad coffee videos are on here... well after using the press for a little while I kept asking myself "what the heck is the point of the plunger??? it began to seem like a childish novelty. its not actually "pressing" as it doesn't even go to the bottom. so I realized the filter might as well just be a screen on the spout at the top. but that would clog and prevent a good pour.
That's when I decided to go on youtube determined to find a video just such as this. to tell me just what I wanted to hear. this makes sense. this explains the plunger. so it can be adjusted to the top of the coffee, no matter if you brew a little or a lot...
Pressing news!
Or should I say ‘not’ a pressing matter? 🤨
The french did it all wrong all those years :'D
@baskiria1 twat
Wow! Just followed your method to the letter. The improvement of flavour is off the charts. Thank you James x
Oh wow I'm so excited! I made some French press coffee and there was no sludge! Totally amazed. Thank you so much for cluing us in on stirring the coffee.. Never would have thought that one simple thing could make so much difference. This is coffee that's a joy to drink. Never had that feeling about coffee. We really don't have to settle for mediocre coffee.
I used this technique for my first attempt at brewing with a french press, and my boyfriend said it was the tastiest cup of coffee he ever had. So clean and full of flavor. Thank you so much for sharing this, James!
lmao I completely misheard him say 100g water to 30 grams coffee. I made the most atrocious cup of coffee....
Two weeks later: i finally could get some sleep
espresso on steroids.
caffeinated tar recipe
Hmmmm....I thought he said 500 grams! 🤔
StarGazer it is 500
gms water to 30 gms coffee. Thats how I always make my french press now ever since I saw this vid
I just got my french press! I watched this video before but, after experimenting on my own twice, now I'm ready to follow the guide closely and get the best results yet!
After 50 years of coffee-every-morning I did what you told me James … and I ‘enjoyed’. Thank You!
But James, hang on just a minute:-
In this 'Ultimate French Press Technique' video, you suggest brewing/steeping for 4 minutes plus a further say 1 minute stirring and scooping-off the crust plus a FURTHER “5-to-8 minutes” brewing/steeping … so for 10-to-13 minutes in all?
BUT in your 'Ultimate Clever Dripper Technique' video you seem to suggest brewing/steeping for only 2 minutes plus 30 secs plus say 1 minute draw-down - so 2:30 minutes in all.
So where's the logic?
For the first time EVER, James, you’ve confused me: or am I being dumb?
Oddly, both timings seem to produce pretty nice coffee!
Clarification please .
Thank You - and for all your v. helpful and v. fun videos.
Thanks for making this video. I've been using the same french press for over 27 years, and I know the science of coffee quite well, but never knew this level of detail to making it. I appreciate your sharing.
I’ve always done the “4 minutes before plunging and pouring” method when it came to using my French press, and my coffee would always come out tasting good, but not great. Everyone in the comments seem to be praising this one, so I’ll give it a try! Thanks!
YOU LEFT US HANGING. wha happened
WHAT HAPPENED???
PLEASE TELL US!!!
Hi Elle, It's about time to come back with some answers!
Swapped boozing for a coffee hobby for 2024. Got myself some nice beans, electric grinder and French press! This method blows my parents' Nespresso machine out of the water. I was consuming way too much milk before to mask the bitterness. Now I'm enjoying naked black coffee without my face screwing up! (Usually fully clothed, of course)
I don't know what happened. I just followed the instructions here and the coffee I made didn't taste bitter as it did before! Who would've known that a simple modification can make a difference in taste! Thank you for this!
I thought this was a joke at first, but after trying it, I am surprised to find how great a cup it makes. Thanks for sharing!
@@jazz_musician "Why would using a french press to make coffee be a joke"
Seems you missed the joke. It's not doubting the French press, it's doubting that something so simple could have a correct way that's so significant.
And why was the insult necessary???? Had to look up what brony logic even is, but I doubt insults that only a child would reference are effective beyond trolling for a response.
@@jazz_musician "never reply to me ever again"
Okay. But how do I tell you you're just being a dick???
@@jazz_musician yeah you are a piece of shit
Why scoop out the foam at the top?
@@rockxhero "Why scoop out the foam at the top?"
My take after trying it is that the stuff floating on top is brewed out except for bitter compounds you don't want, and it's stuff that won't' settle to the bottom which will make your coffee muddy.
Hey James,
1) You know how to brew coffee
2) You know how to explain it
Thanks maan :)
Says the cold coffee lover
Love this. I actually did it the exact way and accidentally left it for like 6 extra minutes for a total of 15 minutes and it was absolutely amazing!
I use naturally processed beans that are light roasted and I always let sit for about 15 minutes and its always nearly heaven. For naturally processed you get more of the berry notes and less acidity than you seem to get with wet processed medium to dark roasted beans. My preference of course.
Thank you for helping me make the best cup of French press I've ever made!
This really does make a difference! I messed up the first time and used it as control for the second one I made following the steps. The result is a more clear tasting and no aftertaste compared to a normal pressing with the plunger most of the way down. You don't disturb the fine settlements sitting on top of the heavier residue, you don't disturb the settlement, especially not with the turbulence of the plunger descending down.
I've been drinking coffee for maybe 15 years and after switching to this technique in the past few weeks, I've been experiencing consistent and wonderful cups!! Thank you so much James!!!
This video changed my coffee life! Thank you!
This is Meditation and learning all at once. Thank you, James! 🥰
I’d just say to remember that water temperature is one of the biggest factors in your coffee cup, if you’re too cold it’ll be weak and watery, but if you’re too hot it’ll be stringent and bitter. The exact temperature depends on the roast but usually it’s around 200° Fahrenheit or 93° Celsius, just let your water come to a full boil (212° F, or 100° C), then let it sit for a minute or two and pour. You’ll get a feel for it, if you don’t, use a thermometer or an electric kettle that allows for specific temperature control.
Damn I have been searching for this comment for too long! Why is nobody curious he didn’t say anything about the temperature of the water?
@@AbdullahKahramanPhD it’s a very delicate thing that seems to be looked over often, I don’t know why. I guess with the popularity of automated coffee makes people doesn’t really care for the specifics but it’s good to know when you do it all by hand.
That is genius! I thought I had my French press dialed in, but this is far superior! Never going back. Thank you!
Also the roast is important..i tried lighter roasts and i love it.Can't stand dark roasts for FP.
Been making my coffee this way since I used french press, one exception: I do plunge it when the silt has settled, it keeps it in place during my pours. 😊
I suspect I'm not the only one, but this was the first video of his that I saw. When I have the time, this is how I do my French press now.
Wow, seriously one of the best cups of coffee I made in a long time! Thank you so much! I really like that you don't need any fancy techniques, expensive equipment or anything else for this recipe. Just good water, coffee and time. And the recipe is also easy to remember. Living in Berlin the water is really hard, so therefore I am patiently waiting for my Peak Water jug to arrive. I think for me water is my biggest area that needs more tweaking.