Videocast #2 – French Press Technique from James Hoffmann on Vimeo.
I know I cross posted this on the Square Mile Blog, but I thought I should post it here too. Feedback is always welcome, and yes – I am still totally obsessed with brewing on scales!
Comments are open again!
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17 Comments
Hi James –
All your videos have an excellent, professional quality about them. They convey your point clearly and without any unnecessary “noise.” I’m curious what your video editing software of choice is. I’ll be doing some training and PR videos for my coffeehouse once it opens early next year and would like them to be as professional.
Excellent idea! Less cleaning for sure! Thanks…
I purchased a Rocky grinder to accompany my new Rancilio Silvia and I actually considered using the grinder for “normal” coffee as well. Your video suggests I should simply adjust it to the coarsest setting possible. Do you or any readers have experience with using espresso grinders for press coffee or drip coffee? Which setting do you use?
Cool video!
I think that song is actually Ghostwriter by Rjd2, and is there another spot on the site where you talk about hard vs. soft water, how to test it, etc?
that is a lovely little scale there. I have been thinking someday I should get serious enough to do that with my brews, your video was just the motivation I needed. I noticed that is was a salter but could not seem to find one online that looked like it. Do you recommend that particular model and if so could you tell me what it is called?
Awesome video! Thanks.
I am also curious as to where you got that scale. Any other models you would suggest?
Adrian – The video is edited in Adobe Premier, and some nice touches put in through After Effects.
Martin – you should get a reasonable grind from your Rocky, it may have a few extra fines so will probably benefit from the technique. Lots of people use their espresos grinders for multiple functions.
Daniel – yup, somehow I got the track name and LP name confused. I should know better! I will try and get a short video on water up by the end of the week.
Michael and Eric – the scales are by Salter and cost £16 in John Lewis. All of the scale is the weighing surface, despite the nice metal disc implying that only that is the weighing point. You can buy them here: Salter Scales
Excelent good article and blog. I wish good luck
Where did you get that coffee mug? I used to go to a diner in North Carolina called Elmo’s. Could it be the same place?
It is Elmos in Carrboro, NC! right down the street from the Open Eye Cafe…ah, maybe some day our mug will be featured in a “Square Mile Production”…..
cheers folks!
scott
It is indeed the same Elmo’s. Cindy, Anette and I stopped there for breakfast whilst visiting Counter Culture!
I’m new to French press technique and now I wonder if I’ve been doing it right at all.
I use a glass Bodum french press pot. And i pour water in until it reaches six cups (I’m in the states, btw) – it’s marked on the glass. Not sure if that’s as good as a scale.
Then I stir it with a chopstick before I let it steep. You had “the break” after the steep, but it didn’t seem anywhere near like the stirring I’ve been doing. (Again, I’m new to this)
Am I doing it wrong?
Interesting video – thanks a lot.
Hey james,
What is the total elapsed time for the brewing including the brew, scraping and plunging. Have to admit, I am personally not a much over 3 min. total, guy. I prefer a tighter grind with less time. I find that I get a clearer picture of what the coffee tastes like and that it doesn’t seem over extracted. I do stir but clearing the blume… Never thought of that. Kinda like the reverse press pot if you’ve seen that. However, your reputation does precede you so I will most certainly entertain your thoughts and experience.
I really appreciate the scale to measure the water idea. Perfect! I usually preheat a measuring cup then measure out the water for accuracy and wait till it drops to the right temp to pour into the pot but this will save so much time and give me one less dish to wash.
i’m curious – why did you omit the plunge from the video? seems kind of odd to have a video french PRESS technique but omit the press!
Wow, I amazed. I am finishing my first cup of french press using this technique, it is awesome. I was of the old school pacific nw technique of pour water, stir, steep for 4 mins., press. This is so much cleaner and the coffee is more vibrant.
Nice video – I’ve always dreaded drinking french press because I guess I never really knew how to make it. The coffee normally came out with lots of grinds at the bottom of the cup and tasted rather raunchy – maybe I was steeping it too long?
I’ll try your method soon and look forward to the result!
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