French Press (Plunger Pot)

The French press is a full-immersion brewing device consisting of a cylindrical glass or stainless-steel vessel and a plunger fitted with a stainless steel mesh filter disc. Coarsely ground coffee steeps in hot water for approximately 4 minutes before the plunger is pressed down, physically separating the grounds from the brew. Because the mesh filter allows oils and fine particles to pass through — unlike paper filters — the resulting cup is notably full-bodied, rich, and slightly turbid. The origin of the design is disputed between France and Italy, but the first widely recognised patent was filed by Italian designer Attilio Calimani in 1929. A relevant health note: French press coffee contains cafestol, a diterpene compound that raises LDL cholesterol when consumed in large daily quantities.