The Ritual
Perhaps the only thing you’ll enjoy as much as tasting our coffee is savoring its preparation. A small ceremony for the senses combining beans and water, aroma and anticipation, the Storyville ritual prepares the perfect cup just as it readies you to enjoy it. In a French press, Storyville grounds actually ‘bloom’ as you pour water over them, offering a heady aroma of things to come. For the next four minutes, the grounds steep – only when grounds steep are coffee’s essential oils extracted – releasing a full, rich expression of its true flavor. As your timer goes off and you press the filter into the coffee, this simple and profound ritual is in full swing – and the stage is set for your day.

French Press Warning

The French press tells the truth – and sometimes the truth hurts. A French press will exalt the best beans but also expose the worst, showcasing their bitter inferiority. Store-bought (stale) or otherwise inferior quality beans in a French press produce a sad, faded bloom and a harsh and angry brew. The press is equally unforgiving if a blade grinder is used on the beans because the grounds will be too fine, and your coffee will be a murky, gritty mess. French presses love burr grinders, which produce a coarse, even grind. French press and burr grinder. That’s the truth. Drink it up.

Ingredients & Tools
You will need the following ingredients and tools listed below:

• Fresh Storyville Coffee – Coffee beans should not be refrigerated or frozen, but stored in a cool, dry place.
• Cold, filtered water – tap water should not be used unless it is filtered. Bottled water is fine.
• A burr grinder – there are two types of burr grinders, flat and conical. We believe that the conical burr grinder produces a superior grind.
• A French Press – we have found the French Press to be the most basic, and therefore the most controllable brewing system. Preheating the pot and mugs will ensure that your coffee stays at the right temperature.
• An electric kettle with a viewing window. It is important that you are able to see when the water starts to boil, because that is the optimum temperature for brewing.
• A timer.
• A measuring cup.
• A spoon.
• Your favorite mug.

Instructions
To brew the perfect cup every time, follow these instructions:

1. Place all your ingredients and tools on the counter. Measure the first two ingredients, one half cup of whole beans and one liter (approx. 4 cups) of water. See the accompanying method card to adjust quantity.

2. Set the grinder on the “coarse” setting and pour in the measured beans. Don’t grind them yet, though; timing is important.

3. Heat the water, just seconds before it comes to a boil...

4. Grind the beans. Be sure to grind only enough beans for one pot; once ground, beans lose their flavor quickly.

5. Pour the grounds into the French press.

6. Pour the water slowly and evenly over the grounds, using a circular motion. The mixture will foam up; this is when you stir it, just enough to be sure all the grounds are saturated.

7. Set the timer for four minutes, place the lid/strainer on the French press and wait.

8. At exactly four minutes, slowly press the plunger all the way down.

9. Pour this aromatic elixir into your favorite mug and enjoy.