What is a French press?

A French press is a method of brewing coffee that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in hot water and then separating the brewed coffee from the grounds using a plunger equipped with a metal or nylon mesh filter. This technique allows for full extraction of the flavors and oils from the coffee grounds, resulting in a rich and robust cup of coffee. The process emphasizes immersion and full contact time between the water and coffee grounds, which is key to the unique taste profile that a French press coffee can provide.

The other options do not accurately describe the French press. One option discusses a coffee machine that uses a filter basket, which is characteristic of drip coffee makers rather than a French press. Another option describes an espresso-based drink, which is unrelated to the brewing style of a French press. The option mentioning high-pressure brewing refers to methods like espresso-making, which involves forcing water through finely-ground coffee at high pressure, contrasting sharply with the low-pressure, steep-and-press method used in a French press.