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The Ultimate French Press Technique

The Ultimate French Press Technique on HackerTube: recommended by 3 Hacker News commenters across 3 separate months, 2023–2024.

James Hoffmann

tutorial · evergreen

Open on YouTube

James Hoffmann demonstrates his technique for a clean, sludge-free cup from a French press: stir, break the crust, wait, and carefully pour. It is a four-minute guide.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters swear by it as the best way to make French press coffee, and cite its 16:1 water-to-coffee ratio.

people recommended it
3
separate months
3
strong recommendations
1
discussed on HN
2023–2024
“IMO it produces the best coffee I've ever been able to make in a french press.”
— taldo, Jun 2023, in “Is Coffee Good for You? – James Hoffmann review of scientific literature [video]”

What HN commenters said

4 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.

taldoJun 2023Strongly recommends

Then you should probably check out Hoffmann's "ultimate french press technique" ▶ this video IMO it produces the best coffee I've ever been able to make in a french press.

in “Is Coffee Good for You? – James Hoffmann review of scientific literature [video]” · View on HN

helsinkiandrewFeb 2023Recommends

I was also quite disappointed with my aeropress. I think it’s OK coffee just it didn’t match the hype/expectation. I find the James Hoffmann french press technique - basically stir, break the crust, and let time and gravity do the work produces a far nicer cup of coffee: ▶ this video

in “The Beginner's Guide to over­Complicating Coffee” · View on HN

_Algernon_Jan 2023Recommends

I've had a lot of success with James Hoffman's method[1] for making coffee with a french press. Good coffee and with a larger french press you can make enough coffee at once for at least two people. You only need a french press and optionally a coffee grinder if you want to grind your own beans to get started. It is a bit time consuming (10-15minutes) so it may not be great for making a quick cup before leaving the house in the morning though. [1]: ▶ this video

in “My Coffee Maker Just Makes Coffee” · View on HN

code_biologistMay 2024Cites it

Obviously immersion brewing is different than percolation, but the 16g water : 1g coffee ratio is exactly what James Hoffman recommends in his "Ultimate French Press Technique": ▶ this video For OP's light medium roast (dark roast prefers cooler temps) Hoffman says high temps aren't a problem and shows hard boiling water lead to peak brewing temperatures of 90-93C: [link] Other youtubers have done blind taste tests and found they liked boiling water brews best with light roast coffee. Not saying your taste is wrong either, just that OP is doing things a way described as ideal by at least one coffee expert! Lots of ways to brew.

in “A scientific run-down of coffee blooming” · View on HN

Topics & tags

Cooking & foodfrench presscoffee brewingjames hoffmannhome brewingtechnique