Simplicity in the Shape of Coffee

This was not today's breakfast; instead, I had the remnants of yesterday's. But this is one of my favorite breakfasts if I have a decent amount of time (read: about an hour to an hour and a half).

French press-brewed coffee is one of my favorite kinds of coffee. The brewing method allows a small amount of silt to remain in the coffee, which gives it texture and depth. It also forms a kind of "head" of lovely toffee-colored bubbles due to the pressing. After brewing, which should take four minutes, I immediately pour the coffee into a thermos and seal it. Coffee should not remain on the grounds in the brewer, as it becomes disgusting, but should be transferred as soon as possible. I actually normally drink my coffee black, as it becomes a different drink entirely with additions, but when I want some cream (or soy milk) I have a pitcher for it, and a container of sugar as well. When I have the time, I drink 16oz of coffee in a 4oz cup, black, with several different kinds of foods to take small bites from while I read a book. In this case, I have a Reese's peanut butter cup, a Walker's butter cookie, some Carr's crackers, and a container of capricho goat cheese, complete with its own delicate wood-handled spreader.

Have I mentioned lately that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, when I get to eat it?

Making the Perfect French Press Coffee

Step one: Set the kettle to boil. The kettle should only just reach boiling, and then be taken immediately off the burner for a moment.

Step two: Grind your coffee beans. This step can be skipped if you commercially grind your coffee. It is best to only purchase enough coffee to use in a week, and if you have access to a commercial grinder, the uniformity that gives you will yield better results than the freshness a home grinder can.

Step three: Take the plunger from the French press and carefully pour the ground coffee into the pitcher. Try not to get coffee on the sides; if you do, attempt to brush it down.

Step four: Pour the boiling water over the grounds. Loosely place the plunger and top over the pitcher, but DO NOT PLUNGE.

Step five: Wait 4 minutes.

Step six: Depress the plunger slowly, steadily, and evenly.

Step seven: Pour coffee into a thermos and clean up your French press.

Optional steps: You can give the grounds a stir before and after step five if so desired. I've never really seen the point, as I can't detect any change in flavor, but will occasionally do it for formality's sake.