To all of you french pressers out there, what is the optimal "steeping time"? Do you vary depending on how much you brew? Teach me.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
How Long do You Steep?
Guest post by: Todd Bumgarner
To all of you french pressers out there, what is the optimal "steeping time"? Do you vary depending on how much you brew? Teach me.
To all of you french pressers out there, what is the optimal "steeping time"? Do you vary depending on how much you brew? Teach me.
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9 comments:
I usually do 4 minutes regardless. I might steep longer, but I can't wait that long for it!
four minutes is the starbucks standard. but also make sure your grind and proportion are right as well, it has to be pretty coarsely ground coffee.
incidentally, at home, i only make french presses. it's hands-down the best way to drink coffee :)
I do 4 minutes also. One site said to do 3:30, but everywhere else I've looked said 4 minutes.
I know it's not on topic but... if you don't do it already, you ought to try roasting your own beans. Fresh roasted is WAY better. There are some really simple, cheap methods that get good results. My equipment cost about $30. I've been roasting at home for over a year now and won't go back. Green coffee is a lot cheaper too. I cut my coffee expenses in about half by home roasting.
4 minutes is the "industry standard" and what I do for most, but it does depend on what you want to taste. Different (tasting) chemicals extract to different degrees in the 4 minute window. My general observation has been that longer = more bitter. If you're just after caffeine, it's extracted within the first minute or so.
Another vote for four minutes. If you think the coffee is too weak, add grounds, not time. More time leads to over extraction, resulting bitterness.
I do 4 minutes too. I agree with Greg about adding grounds, not time, to strengthen. If you want incredible coffee faster, try the AeroPress. It makes amazingly good espresso and coffee.
http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm
i steep for the amount of time it takes to get my 6-month old from her bed into the office with me, and rock her back to sleep, etc. anywhere from 4 - 10 minutes. the flavor of my coffee varies greatly morning to morning.
3 minutes - but I always start doing something else and it turns into 15 minutes ...
4 min
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