With the late nights and long lectures of college life, many students seek the caffeinated boost from coffee. To get the full benefit of the education students are paying for, one must also be awake for classes. If coffee becomes a daily habit, buying by the cup at coffee shops can quickly become a large expense.
Eventually, to keep the caffeine flowing and the wallet in check, it becomes necessary to start brewing coffee at home. The French press may not be the first system in mind to brew coffee in a dorm or apartment. One might stick to the K-cup system for the convenience factor, but the cost of individual cups can add up, even when purchased in bundles.
What the French press lacks in convenience, it makes up for in simplicity, as the only ingredients necessary are boiling water and ground coffee. With a built-in screen filter, there is no need to purchase coffee filters or any accessories. As long as there are beans in the cabinet and water on tap, fresh coffee is always minutes away.
The French press may seem intimidating, appearing as a tool meant for the expertise hands of a barista. However, the process is fairly easy. With an electric kettle to boil, the process can take only about five minutes to prepare. After water is boiled, it is poured into the press with the coffee grounds in the bottom. The strength of the coffee can be easily determined by the ratio of grounds to water. Once the water is poured in the press, the coffee will infuse for three to four minutes.
As a system for college students, the French press works well for its simplicity and cost effectiveness. Even the upfront cost of the system is relatively cheap, as presses can be bought for less than $20. From here, it is up to the users to decide how much they want to invest in their coffee grounds, buying large tubs of coffee from the grocery store or premium beans from their favorite roaster. Either way, it will be cheaper than purchasing by the cup from stores.
Next, add hot, boiled water to the coffee grounds. Put the top on the carafe and let steep for four minutes.
