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Is Coffee From a French Press Healthy?
French Press (sometimes called coffee plunger or cafetiere ) is an immersion brewing method capable of producing multiple cups at the same time. It is well known for producing rich brews while retaining essential oils from beans that would otherwise be lost through other brewing methods, like drip coffee brewing systems; these essential oils give coffee its body and flavor.
But French press coffee may be unhealthy. Studies have revealed that cafestol, found in unfiltered coffee, can increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels significantly for those genetically predisposed to having higher LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Thankfully, registered dietitian Whitney Linsenmeyer provides tips to balance coffee enjoyment with health concerns through measured approaches.
A French Press is an immersion brewing device, in which ground coffee sits directly in water rather than being forced through a filter, allowing all of its flavors to be extracted. This allows users to fully appreciate the unique tastes of their chosen beans; its oils help soften sharply astringent or bitter tastes in lighter roasts while giving darker roasts creamy textures.
To maximize the performance of your French press, it’s essential that your grounds are coarsely ground (resembling breadcrumbs). Regular pre-ground coffee or espresso ground coffee may contain too many fine particles that will pass through its filters; to get optimal results from this machine it is best to buy whole beans and grind them yourself.
Start with 13 grams (3 level tablespoons) of coarsely ground coffee per one cup (8 oz) of boiling water. Pour enough hot water over the grounds, and gently swirl them so they are all wet before slowly pouring the rest of it, taking care not to overfill the container.
As your brew steeps, a thick crust may form on top of the coffee grounds – this is called bloom, and for optimal results you should allow them to hydrate for one minute in hot water before stirring up your brew for 30 seconds or so until the crust sinks away. After which allow your coffee brew to sit for five minutes before gently pressing down before serving it up!
French Pressing can be somewhat of a messy affair, though not nearly as much so as other coffee brewing methods which involve filtering it. It requires you to rinse and clean out your container after each use – this process usually involves filling it up with water, swirling around, then emptying out. Glass or stainless steel containers should always be preferred when brewing so as to not absorb plastic flavors into your coffee’s taste profile.
If you’re shopping for a French Press, consider this double walled thermal model from FrenchPress. This ensures your brew stays hotter for longer, making it perfect for on-the-go coffee fans!