Bodum Brazil French Press Review (Back to Basics with the Classics)
A French Press is one of the great coffee-making classics. It’s a simple idea, a glass jug, and mesh filter and can make really delicious coffee if you know how to use it.
Bodum is one of the most popular brands when it comes to the French Press and they have several models that tick different boxes when it comes to brewing coffee. Today we are looking at the Bodum Brazil French Press and whether it’s worth considering for your next French Press purchase.
We will look at this option in-depth, all the features it boasts and any issues with it. Next up, I’ve included full instructions on how to get the very best out of your french press so you can become a coffee-making expert.
So here it is, the Bodum Brazil.
Bodum Brazil French Press
- Three Size Options
- Red, Green, or Black Options
- Borosilicate Glass Carafe
- Dishwasher Safe
- BPA Free
- Dual-Layer Filter
- Stainless Steel Plunger
The Bodum Brazil
The Bodum Brazil is a good design thanks to the high-quality borosilicate glass beaker and minimal housing. You can watch the infusion happening and it’s easy to keep clean thanks to the lack of intricate features to clean around.
The plastic housing creates a cool-touch handle and it comes in three color options, red, green, and black to suit any style. Three size options include 12 ounces, 34 ounces, and 51 ounces.
It’s dishwasher safe as the borosilicate glass doesn’t get clouded or worn when cleaning and won’t absorb stains or odors. The base and handle are made from BPA-free polypropylene so are food safe, even though they shouldn’t contact your coffee.
The stainless steel filter has dual-layer filtration with a spiral plate that conforms to the beaker to prevent any coffee grounds from seeping through into your mug.
Overall, this is a simple yet effective device for brewing coffee. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and makes delicious coffee.
Any Issues?
One of the biggest complaints with a French Press is the micro sediment left behind when you press the plunger. No matter how well designed the press is, some small particles will always seep through. This is what gives the coffee that rich taste and thick texture and is often considered a hallmark of this kind of coffee. If you find that French Press coffee is too grainy then maybe try pour-over or drip coffee instead as the paper filters remove the micro sediment so give a much cleaner brew.
The Bodum Brazil does feature a glass beaker so this is susceptible to cracks if dropped or tapped. The glass is not covered by the warranty so you do need to be careful when handling this coffee press.
Why Choose A French Press?
Easy
A french press coffee maker is a really simple way to enjoy delicious coffee. All you need is freshly ground coffee and hot water and you’re good to brew. It’s a simple beaker and plunger so clean up is very easy as well. The Bodum Brazil French press coffee maker has the added benefit of being dishwasher safe so is even easier to keep it sparkling clean.
Long-Lasting
Unlike a drip machine or espresso maker, a French press doesn’t have pumps and water heaters built-in. There are no mechanical components that can end up breaking and there’s no fine tubing that can become clogged. The glass beaker is the only part that doesn’t boast durability as it will break if you drop it. If you’re careful with it, it can last you many years as it’s high-quality heat-resistant borosilicate glass so it doesn’t pick up stains, odors, or fade in the dishwasher.
Makes Great Tasting Coffee
The number one feature any coffee maker should have is the ability to brew great coffee. This french press does not fall short here and as long as you know what you’re doing then you can end up brewing the most delicious cup of coffee you could wish for. Because it uses a mesh filter and no paper filters this means the coffee oils remain in your brew giving it a richer, more intense flavor and a thicker texture.
Portable
If you love freshly brewed coffee anytime, anywhere then this coffee maker is perfect. It’s lightweight and portable so easy to take to work, on holiday, camping, hiking, the list goes on!
Inexpensive
Delicious cups of coffee at an affordable price should be a standard but unfortunately, it’s rare to come by. This little coffee maker won’t set you back by very much and will give you really tasty coffee whenever you desire it. The Bodum Brazil comes with a limited one-year warranty (glass not included) so if you do experience any issues with your new french press you can get in touch with Bodum for a refund or replacement.
Stainless Steel Vs Glass Carafe
Bodum has three design options when it comes to french press. The Bodum Chambord features a glass carafe and stainless steel housing, the Bodum Brazil is glass with plastic housing and then there’s the Bodum Columbia. This model is entirely stainless steel so avoids the issue of the carafe being too delicate.
The benefit of the stainless steel option is that it’s insulated so keeps your coffee hot for longer but it does look a bit industrial whereas the glass option is a bit more attractive.
The best french press choice comes back to your coffee needs.
How To Brew Perfect Coffee With Your French Press
Coffee
Choose a medium to dark roast coffee to enjoy a rich coffee experience. Darker roasts are lower in acidity and have more single-note flavors like chocolate, burnt caramel, and nutty undertones. Try to use fresh whole coffee beans as these lock in all those delicious coffee flavors for longer.
If you really want to enter a new dimension of coffee flavor then buy freshly roasted beans from your local coffee roasters. They may seem expensive compared to store-bought ones but once you give them a try, you’ll never go back!
Grinder
A good coffee grinder is key for brewing perfect coffee. A conical burr grinder is best as the burrs can be set to grind the coffee beans to an even consistency so you get a balanced extraction when you brew your coffee. The burrs also don’t heat up like a blade grinder can so won’t damage or burn the beans before you get started.
You need the coffee ground to the coarsest setting for a French press to avoid a bitter, over-extracted taste. Just grind up the amount of coffee you’re going to be using for each batch of coffee as the moment coffee is ground, it starts to lose some of its flavors and aromas.
Filtered Water
The secret to great-tasting coffee that a lot of people overlook is nice tasting water gives better-tasting coffee. Use filtered water to really get the most out of your beans.
Perfect Ratio
You need to use the correct coffee to water ratio to get the best flavor possible. A good place to start is a 1:15 coffee to water ratio. If we take the Bodum Brazil 8-cup french press (that’s the 51 Ounce option) then you need around 100g of coffee to 1500g of water (it has 1.5 liter capacity).
Try this ratio and if you find it too strong then opt for a 1:16 (93g of coffee) or 1:17 (88g) ratio next time. You can tweak the ratio until you get the taste just right for you.
Perfect Temperature
When you’re brewing coffee, the temperature of the water can make or break the experience. Water that is too hot burns the beans leading to a bitter, burnt tasting coffee. Too cold and the coffee will taste weak, bland, and under-extracted.
Aim to get the water to around 195-205F (90-96C). You can test this using any kitchen thermometer or simply boil the kettle and let it sit for a minute so it cools to around this temperature.
Brewing Process
So by now, you should be familiar with your coffee beans, the grind setting, and the amount you need to brew your coffee. Now let’s get down to making coffee!
For the Bodum Brazil 8-cup french press grind up 100g of fresh, whole coffee beans, using the coarsest setting on your grinder. Place the coffee grounds into the carafe. Boil 1.5 liters of water and let it cool to around 205F.
Place the french press on a set of kitchen scales and grab a timer. Start by pouring around 100g of water (or enough to wet the grounds). Start the timer and give the mix a little stir with a spoon to make sure the coffee is thoroughly damp. You should notice the coffee grounds bubbling and moving around as they de-gas. This is the coffee ‘blooming’.
Once 30 seconds have passed, pour the rest of the water over the coffee up to 1.5kg and stir the mixture to ensure the coffee is well submerged and not sticking to the bottom. Put the stirrer down and don’t agitate the mixture again.
This gives the coffee time to settle to the bottom so you end up with less sediment in your coffee cup when it’s time to press the plunger.
Wait until the timer has reached 4 minutes and then you can press the plunger. Press slowly and evenly, firm enough that you don’t stop when you meet resistance but never forcing the press down.
Serve immediately and enjoy one of life’s great pleasures.
Other Uses For Your Bodum Brazil French Press
It’s not just for hot coffee, a good quality french press can be helpful in a lot of different ways. Here are some ideas for you and if you have any other good uses for your French press, please let us know in the comments below!
Tea Maker
Brewing loose leaf tea or a herbal blend is a great use for your french press. The plunger will remove the sediment giving you a smooth and clean cup of tea and you can enjoy the brewing stage, watching the tea swirl thanks to the glass carafe. This device isn’t just for coffee lovers!
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Cold brew coffee is a slow extraction process that stews coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12 or more hours to give a sweet brew that’s low in acidity. Simply leave the mixture in the fridge overnight and then use the plunger to strain the grounds away from the brewed coffee.
Milk Frother
A coffee shop level steam wand can cost hundreds or even thousands. If you enjoy foamy coffee then why not use the french press to froth the milk for you? By pressing the plunger up and down through the milk, this aerates it and creates a thick, bubbly, texture to give you a cappuccino-type drink.
Water Jug
Run out of pitchers when your having friends or family over for dinner? Use the carafe to serve water, juice, cocktails, or anything you fancy. It’s not the most ornate of water jugs but it does the job well and will save people going thirsty.
Conclusion
The Bodum Brazil French Press is a simple and tidy little coffee maker that can make amazing-tasting coffee in the right hands. It’s functional and attractive but you need to take care with the delicate glass beaker. It’s easy to use, easy to care for and a really cost-effective means of brewing delicious coffee at home, at work, or anywhere you like!
