Learn how to make plunger coffee!

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Learn how to make great plunger coffee

Posted March 29, 2006

To make a great plunger coffee you need to start with coffee that’s been freshly ground. This means you’ll probably want to invest in a good coffee grinder and buy whole coffee beans. Alternatively, you can buy ready ground coffee. Either way, make sure the coffee is medium ground and suitable for a plunger. If the coffee is ground too fine it will clog the plunger mesh and make it difficult to plunge. Coffee that’s too course will not impart the full flavours. Ground coffee should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Coffee stored in this way will last up to a few weeks but the flavour will slowly deteriorate.

In addition to using freshly ground coffee, it’s important to start with fresh clean water. Water that has a stale or plastic taste will affect the flavour of the coffee. This also goes for the coffee making equipment. Make sure the coffee pot, plunger and cups are spotlessly clean and free of old coffee residue.

The general procedure for making a great plunger coffee is outlined below:

»	Bring the cold water to a boil. Pour some of the boiling water in the coffee cups and the plunger to preheat them.
»	Let the remaining boiling water stand for a couple of minutes so that its temperature falls to about 93° C (200° F).
»	Pour the hot water out of the plunger and add the coffee at the rate of two level tablespoons per cup of coffee.
»	Fill the plunger with enough of the remaining hot water to make the required number of cups.
»	Stir the coffee for one minute then put the plunger and lid on the pot but do not plunge yet.
»	Allow the coffee to brew for a further 1 to 3 minutes. A longer brew will extract more flavour but may make the coffee bitter. You may need to experiment with this time for your particular coffee type and grind.
»	Plunge all the way down with a slow and steady motion. Be careful not to scald yourself! Drink immediately and enjoy!

You’ve now learnt how to make a great plunger coffee!

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