Coffee Recipes - Plunger

Preparation

Brewing coffee in a plunger/French Press is simple but requires a bit of patience to get the best flavour.
A coarse grind is ideal for this method, allowing for a clean separation between grounds and coffee once the plunger is pressed.

Equipment

  • Plunger/French Press (usually 1 litre or 4-cup capacity)
  • Grinder (or pre-ground coffee suitable for French Press)
  • Kettle

Ingredients

  • Coffee: 30g, coarsely ground (about the size of breadcrumbs)
  • Water: 500ml, heated to about 92–96°C

Suggested Brew: Beginner Method

This recipe uses a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio for a balanced, full-bodied cup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the plunger: Pour hot water into your French Press to warm it up, then discard the water. This helps maintain the brewing temperature.

  2. Add coffee grounds: Place 30g of coarsely ground coffee into the plunger.

  3. Add hot water: Pour 500ml of hot water (92–96°C) evenly over the coffee grounds, saturating them thoroughly.
    Give the coffee a gentle stir to ensure all grounds are submerged.

  4. Steep for 4 minutes: Place the lid on the plunger with the plunger pulled up.
    Allow the coffee to steep for 4 minutes.
    This is the ideal time to bring out the coffee’s rich, full-bodied flavour.

  5. Plunge slowly: After 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and steadily to separate the grounds from the coffee.

  6. Serve immediately: Pour the coffee into cups right away to avoid over-extraction, which can make the coffee taste bitter.

Troubleshooting

  • Weak or Watery Coffee: If the coffee tastes weak, try using a finer grind or slightly increasing the coffee amount.

  • Overly Bitter or Harsh Taste: If it tastes too strong, try a coarser grind, reduce the steep time by 30 seconds, or ensure the water isn’t too hot.

  • Grainy Texture: To avoid a grainy or muddy texture, ensure you use a coarse grind and let the coffee settle before pressing.

With just a few steps, the plunger method makes a balanced, full-bodied coffee that’s easy to customise by adjusting the grind, steep time, or ratio.
Perfect for those who enjoy a robust and flavourful cup!