Used boiling water for my French press for 2 years straight

I was at a coffee shop in Austin last month and the barista asked me how I make coffee at home. I told her I just boil water and dump it right in my French press. She looked at me funny and said that's probably why my coffee always tasted bitter. She showed me how to wait 30 seconds after boiling and it changed everything. Has anyone else been doing basic stuff wrong for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

andrew_kelly1mo ago

Man people get way too intense about coffee stuff. I've been using boiling water straight from the kettle into my French press for like five years now and honestly I can't tell the difference when I try the "wait 30 seconds" method. Maybe my taste buds are just dead from years of drinking diner coffee but I'll take bitter over watery any day. Plus who has time to stand there counting seconds when you're trying to get caffeine into your face before work. I mean sure maybe there's some science behind it with the extraction and all that but unless you're entering a barista competition does it really matter that much. If you're happy with your coffee and it wakes you up then you're doing it right in my book.

rivera.henry1mo ago

What about the people who actually like that bitter taste though...