The Cafetiere is one of the most popular ways to brew freshly ground coffee.
But why is it beloved by coffee drinkers alike, and what sets it apart from any other brewing method?
In this blog post, we'll explain everything you need to know about Cafetière coffee, including the best way to use it.
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So What is Cafetière Coffee?
Commonly known as a Cafetière or a French press, this is one of the most simple ways to brew coffee at home. It uses a heatproof jug that has a filter/strainer attached to the lid to prevent unwanted coffee grinds from sneaking into your cup.
To use the coffee brewing device, you simply use it by plunging the strainer to the bottom of the jug after waiting between 5 and 10 minutes to brew. And voila - you'll enjoy a rich, flavourcup cup with earthy textured body.
We love a cafetiere. So here's what the other coffee recipes don't tell you
Why do home coffee drinkers love Cafetiere Coffee?
Size
One of the main reasons why the Cafetière is the perfect brewing method for some people is that it is very easy to brew multiple cups of coffee.
While methods such as the Aeropress typically make only one cup at a time, the French press can make up to eight cups, depending on the size you've purchased! This is ideal if you want to make delicious, high-quality coffee for a group.
However, you can also purchase a smaller Cafetière, which is perfect for making one to two cups at a time.
Flavour and Body
Another way that the French press sets itself apart is the flavour that it creates. Unlike other coffee brewing methods, the Cafetière creates a coffee that has a richer body and flavour. (For an explanation of 'body' and other coffee terms, head to our glossary!)
While this may be too rich for some people, others love the heavy mouthfeel and earthier flavours created by the Cafetière method.
Cafetiere Coffee Benefits
Beginner friendly
This brewing method is particularly good for people who are beginning to explore the world of speciality coffee.
French presses are inexpensive, don't take up much space in your kitchen, and are very easy to use. You can make a great cup of coffee even if you're not a cafe-level barista! Many are also dishwasher-safe, making it a convenient way to brew regular cups of coffee.
Portability
Finally, the Cafetière is also quite portable. While some have heat-proof glass, others are made from sturdier Pyrex, or even stainless steel or aluminium. This makes it perfect for taking to the office or when travelling.
Household staple
Here in the UK, you can almost always guarantee that someone has a Cafetière in their house. So if you're the one in charge of coffee-making when you're visiting your friends then this might be a good option.
How to use a Cafetiere?
Here’s a quick video of our founder James, showing you how to make the ultimate Cafetière coffee recipe.
Cafetiere Coffee Recipe: What you’ll need
Digital Scales
This is to weigh your coffee. It’s not essential, but it’ll dramatically improve the coffee flavour, as you’ll know exactly how much coffee to water you’re using.
Once you’ve mastered the recipe, you can replicate it for the best cup of coffee every day.
A Cafetière Device
Of course, you'll need the brewing device itself. The bonus is that these are highly accessible from most shops online or in store.
They come in both plastic and glass options, but we recommend the glass for thermal insulation, which will aid coffee extraction.
Freshly Ground Cafetiere Coffee
(Order Now) speciality coffee beans – these will need to be ground coarser than you would for other brewing methods such as the Aeropress. If you order from our shop and you don't have a grinder at home, that's not a problem.
We grind fresh coffee beans right before shipping them to you. If you're looking for additional coffee inspiration, we created a blog that details what coffee you should use with your cafetiere.
Filtered Water
Filtered water is generally a better choice than tap water for making coffee. This is because tap water can contain elements that lead to limescale buildup and may contain substances that do not enhance the coffee's flavour.
Using filtered water can help in maximising the coffee's taste.
For more information about why filtered water for coffee is the best for brewing!
Spoon
This is purely functional, but you can choose a fancy spoon if you prefer.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Cafetière Coffee
Recipe for 2 Cups:
Coffee: 30 grams
Total Water: 500 grams/ml
Brew Time: 6-10 mins, subject to taste (longer the stronger)
Step 1
After pre-heating your cafetiere and discarding the water, add your 30g of freshly roasted, healthy coffee, then pour 500 g of water just off the boil. (93 degrees for the coffee nerds).
Step 2
After 4 minutes have passed, take two tablespoons and remove the coffee crust that has formed on top; it will start to fall to the bottom.
Using the two tablespoons, scoop out whatever is left on the top and put it in the bin/recycle it.
Step 3
Then for the best results, let the coffee brew for a further 5 minutes so the coffee cools slightly whilst the remaining coffee sediment settles on the bottom.
Step 4
Put the plunger in, but only press it halfway. Be gentle when pouring as you don’t want to stir up the grounds that have sunk to the bottom.
This will give you a much cleaner-tasting cup of coffee without any grounds floating around.
The French press is incredibly easy to use
How to overcome Common Cafetiere Brewing Problems:
It is important that you make sure you’ve got the perfect grind for your Cafetière. If your coffee is ground too fine, it will create harsh, bitter flavours in the cup, leading to over-extraction and more sediment in your cup.
However, if your grind is too coarse, your coffee may be under-brewed, taste weak, and fail to unlock all those delicious flavours that have been roasted to perfection. The other common Cafetière brewing problems are related to the coffee-to-water ratio.
This is a really important factor in both the body, strength and flavour in your cup of coffee. This is why scales are so great, too, and also important for that perfect cup.
Expert Cafetiere Coffee tips:
One of the few problems that you can have with a Cafetiere is the coffee cooling whilst it brews. However, this is easily solved by pre-heating the Cafetière with boiling water beforehand.
We'd recommend adding hot water to the vessel before grinding your coffee beans, then discarding the water before adding your freshly ground coffee. This helps maintain a stable temperature. Another important tip is to thoroughly wash your French press after each use.
It is very easy for grounds to get stuck to the coffee filter and the vessel walls. If you don't clean it properly, sediment will accumulate in your cup.
You'll also want to make sure that oils from the coffee haven't built up, as this will give every subsequent cup an off flavour.
Finally, you can also use your Cafetière to make cold brew, to froth milk, and even to steep loose-leaf tea if you're really in a pinch! If you’re not sure a Cafetière is for you, check out our other recommended coffee equipment.
You can also read our ultimate guide to the Hario V60, Chemex and the Aeropress!
If you enjoyed this article and like the idea of a coffee subscription packed with additional benefits, you should check out ours.
