My perfect coffee:
- fill bottle of the same volume as my press with water.
- pour ~10% of it in the electric kettle, and start it.
- put two (or three) full teaspoons of light roasted fine ground coffee in the press
- the water boiled. pour it into the press.
- put remaining cold water in kettle, start it again.
- shake the press a bit so coffee hydrates and foams. Cover the press.
- grab a coffee paper filter (circle) fold it in “pizza-like” shape 4 times and cut the outer skirt, so the new radius is about 1cm larger than the press filter.
- rest of the water is boiling now, pre-water+coffee mix has no foam. Fill press with water.
- put the paper filter on top, and insert the plunger so that along all the inner circumference, the paper filter is between the press inner wall and the plunger.
- press the coffee very slowly, don’t rush it at all. It will take you a solid minute or a bit more.
Now you have crystal, non acidic, and flavorful golden coffee. I usually pour a cup immediately, and put the rest in an all-metal insulated little bottle.
I divide the water in two parts to quickly get rid of the foam under the paper filter. Foam makes the pressing way slower. If you have time, you can immediately boil the whole water volume, but leave the coffee mix covered for 5-10 mins and the foam will be gone by then.
If you feel like taking the chance, go for a lighter roast or a breakfast blend. Something unapologetically nutty and smooth. Drip coffee is not usually great. Pour over or French press is the easiest method for getting smooth coffee.
It may take some experimenting to dial in the steep time that works for you, but for French press I’d recommend starting at 5 to 6 minutes before slowly pressing the grounds. Too strong or bitter? Steep for less time.
Add half & half to taste. It softens the coffee flavour a bit and complements a nutty brew.
Starbucks and other corporate coffee is not good. If you have a small local coffee shop that roasts their own, give them a try. A good barista can suggest a brew for you if you describe what you’re after.
Or: Continue to not drink coffee. You’ll avoid that slight daily caffeine dependence and save some money, so I really can’t fault you at all.