I was very happy when Idylc Homes sent me these French Presses to test out. They come in pretty standard packaging. There are some simple instructions on the side of the box that will get you on your way making coffee in a French Press in no time.
It was also really nice to send a red French Press that matches my kitchen! Who doesn't love that. And so many people have red throughout their kitchen decor. A French Press has many names from a Press Pot or a Plunger pot because you actually use a plunger to push the grounds down before pouring your coffee.
You need to use a medium grind coffee bean in this pot. If you use coffee for drip machines, its more likely to cause the mesh filter to get clogged up, it will be more bitter, and your more likely to have coffee grounds in your cup of coffee....and no one wants that! I use a simple bean grinder but if you don't have one, you can simply use the ones in the coffee isle in your local grocery store. Just remember to set it to the percolator setting or to medium grind. You will have to do the entire bag if doing it at the store, but its still better than already ground coffee.
For the water it is best to use spring or distilled water that you also also find at your local grocery store. If you have to use tap water, having it filtered through a Brita system or something similar would be best. If you are using tap water, I suggest boiling first to make sure it is safe and then letting it cool down to 195° to 200°. A instant thermometer would also work great like the one I used in the video.
Here are some great illustrations from howtobrewcoffee.com that explains in detail how to use the French Press.
Step 1: Remove the lid and plunger. Use two rounded tablespoons of coffee for each eight oz. of water. Note that coffee cups range from five to eight ounces. My press holds 34 oz. of water, that goes up to the bottom of the silver band. I use five rounded coffee scoops.Put the dry coffee into the clean pot. |
Step 2: Using the proper temperature water, start slowly adding it to the pot. Most of the coffee will float. You can briefly, gently stir the water at this point and many grinds will sink. |
Step 3:The screen should be up against the bottom of the lid. Place the lid on the press. Many lids have a position that does not allow steam to escape, use this position if you have it.After one minute, if you did not stir in Step 2, you can remove the lid, give a brief stir, and replace the lid. |
Step 4:Now this time depends on your grind so you will need to practice. Timing from the addition of the water, after a total of THREE to FIVE minutes you will need to start the plunge. The finer a grind you use, the shorter the time. I typically brew for five minutes. Hold the lid with one hand and carefully push the plunger down, the screen will push the grinds to the bottom. If the filter screen is tilted and grinds are escaping, just remove it, give a quick rinse, and replunge. It should take about 20 seconds, this is not a fast push, there is resistance and it gets a bit tougher as you go. |
Step 5: Pour, add your sugar and cream if you must, and enjoy. Don’t let the coffee sit in the pot, it will actually keep brewing. Also, be aware, there will be some grinds in the bottom of your cup, it is best not to go for the last drop! |
So as you saw in the video and from the directions above, making coffee in a French Press is very easy. It gives you such an amazing cup of coffee because you are not running the water through a electric system and you are also using really fresh beans. You have to play around with the amount until you find the strength that you like.
So now lets talk about the giveaway! This giveaway will go on until Sunday November 30, 2014 @ 12am. The giveaway is open internationally. All entrants under the age of 18 must have parental permission to enter. One person will win one of the Large Kona French Press Pots from Idylc Homes and another winner will win the smaller version of the Kona French Press, as I showed you in the video. You can enter by following the directions in the Rafflecopter widget posted below. I’ll announce the winner on THIS blog post through the rafflecopter form. I will contact the winners directly through email, as always. Good luck to everyone! Also if you are interested in ordering one for yourself or as a gift... now is the perfect time! You can use this code → 87QR4LPX ← for 15% off. This French Press would make any coffee lover a great gift... so get them ordered in time for Christmas! 
