Presse Francaise

"This Satan's drink is so delicious that

it would be a pity to let infidels have exclusive use of it. 

We shall cheat Satan by baptizing it."

- Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

In my post: Petit Dejeuner, I wrote about the joys of an authentic Parisian breakfast. Well the cornerstone of le petit dejeuner is coffee. Of course there are many kinds of coffee, but my favorite is French Press...

Everything you'll need (clockwise): a French Press, an electric water kettle and ground coffee.

Frieling Stainless Steel French Press (16 oz) - for two.

I first 'discovered' the wonderous joy(s) of French Press coffee during my 2000 Paris trip. That Christmas, my mother gave me two stainless steel Frieling French Presses - 16oz and 32oz (you can find them at Amazon - where you'll find electric water kettles too). They aren't cheap but they last forever. Mine are 11+ years old and still look like new. Use the 16 oz for two - yeah, I use this one everyday.

*Of course there are good quality, less expensive, French Presses in several sizes. See: Starbucks, Williams Sonoma, and Amazon.

I've found that Dunkin' Donuts coffee beans 

make the best French Press

1. Pour 16oz of cold water into your electric water kettle (the colder, the better the flavor).

2. While you're waiting for the water to boil, spoon 3 semi-heaping scoops of medium ground coffee into your clean & dry press (I usually buy my coffee whole bean and grind it myself - the flavor is so much more intense. But, in a pinch, pre-ground is fine).

3. Pour the scalding water into your press to the bottom of the spout

4. Place the top onto the press with the plunger up, let the coffee steep 5-8 minutes, then slowly push the plunger down. This pushes the coffee grounds to the bottom of the press and keeps them there.

Monet demitasse cup & saucer set 

I brought back from my last trip to Paris

For French Press coffee, I recommend that you use a Demitasse cup & saucer. Though demitasse are traditionally used for Arabic coffee or espresso, French Press coffee tends to be stronger than regular coffee. And they come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns - I've got nearly 2 dozen, no more than two match - love it! (see Etsy and Amazon). You'll also need demitasse spoons for sugar and stirring (you can get a dozen stainless steel ones for $10 at Amazon).

Put your press, sugar bowl/creamer, demitasse cups and spoons on a pretty tray and enjoy! 

And don't forget the flowers ;-)

So, what do you think? Are you a convert?

Vivre! Aimer! Rire!

Temple