France is famous for many things. From fashion, to art and tourism, to romance. In my opinion, it just doesn't get enough praise for its coffee. In fact, Forbes even published an article entitled "Here's Why French Coffee Sucks". Ooh la la!
I want this reputation to change, so I'll show you how you can enjoy the best French coffee. When I say "French coffee", I'm talking about two things. The way it's roasted and the way it's prepared. It's actually nothing to do with the origin of the beans. France is a coffee importer more so than a coffee creator.
Grab your beret and let's talk all things French coffee!
Where Can You Buy the Best French Coffee?
We can thank the French for their creativity in a type of coffee they invented. Around the early 1800's, France experienced a major coffee shortage. This was mainly down to their leader, Napoleon setting up a system to block trade with Europe. The era was known as Napoleon's Continental Blockade.
This didn't stop the people of France from enjoying coffee! Instead, they used chicory, a plant native to France. Chicory is a small blue plant that has flavors similar to coffee when roasted. It also has a few notable health benefits, like protecting against toxins and assisting the digestive system. The French mixed chicory with their coffee grounds to make them go further.
The idea caught on in other parts of the world, but no place loved it more than New Orleans. Since 1971, New Orleans markets have housed a French Market. This is where people went (and still go now) for shopping, food and entertainment.
The French market is made up of many coffee shops. The oldest is the famous "Cafe du Monde", which opened in 1865. Here, visitors would pick up a cup of French market coffee. This was a cup of tasty chicory coffee.
The good news is, it's not only people in the past that can enjoy this historical drink! The French market blend is widely available nowadays, too. If you're in New Orleans, you'll probably find it in many coffee shops. If not, head to the online world and order a bag to try!
Making a French Drip Coffee
French drip coffee describes a method of brewing, that we can also thank the French for. We use a traditional device known as a drip coffee pot from France. The pot is called a "grégue" and was invented over two centuries ago. Though you'll find it in most French kitchens, many Americans also own one. It was first brought to Louisiana by French colonists.
You might find the coffee pot made of steel, glass or ceramic. If you want to buy one, I'd advise going for ceramic for the best French coffee. This keeps your coffee hotter for longer.
The pot looks just like a manual dripping brewer, but it holds more than one cup of coffee at a time. This makes it a great option when entertaining guests. You've got the attractive, traditional brewer and you can serve them all at once!
The French drip coffee pot is made up of two chambers and a filter. Here are some quick tips to brew the perfect coffee with this device:
- Keep re-jigging the grind size to ensure the perfect extraction and drip speed.
- A slow drip speed is fine. If it's too fast, grind smaller. If it drips too slowly, you can make the grinds coarser.
- Take your time and pour the water slowly.
- Control the temperature. The ideal temperature to brew coffee is 195-205 degrees F.
What does French Roast Coffee Taste Like?
Once roasters are armed with the high quality, raw coffee beans, it's their turn to keep them great. Their primary decision is the roast level. This simply describes how long they will "cook" the coffee beans for. Not long enough, and the coffee will taste raw and green. Too long, and it will burn the flavor right off.
French roast coffee describes beans that have been cooked to a medium-dark roast. The roasters surpass the light roast and medium roast stage, and keep on heating the beans. Darker roasted beans include the Italian roast, Spanish roast and Turkish roast.
If done properly, the French roast can give a bold, rich flavor. The sugars in the beans are caramelized enough to make an almost chocolaty flavor. It will be dark brown in color and have a shiny surface from the oils.
A French roast is a good choice for an espresso. The caramelization boosts flavor, so there's no need to add extras like milk, foam or chocolate. A coffee lover can drink the espresso straight up and appreciate the roast level.
Other Types of French Coffee
Although Forbes may not be a fan of French coffee, I think you should always make your own judgments! Here are some other types of French coffee you may want to try. Don't let the French words put you off. I've explained what each one means, so you can let us know which is your favorite!
- Café. This literally translates to "coffee". The café is the simple shot of espresso, with nothing added. I recommend giving this a go. An espresso made at a French roast can offer bold, satisfying flavors. It's the most common type of coffee ordered in French coffee shops, and a great after-meal drink.
- Noisette. Though it may sound like it, the noisette is nothing to do with the sound a coffee makes! It's actually like a macchiato. It's just a shot of espresso with a couple of drops of milk or cream. Noisette translates to hazelnut. This coffee gets its name from the hazelnut color of the drink.
- Café Crème. The translation here is easy: coffee with cream. It's similar to a cappuccino, which is actually Italian. It is a shot of espresso topped with thick foam. Most French locals wouldn't drink this after 11 AM as they believe it's bad for the digestive system.
- Un Déca. Trying to lay off the caffeine? Un Déca is for you. It is a decaf coffee version of the espresso. Though many people choose to drink espresso for the intense coffee hit, too much caffeine can be bad for you! It's good to have the option to drink a caffeine-free alternative.
The Bottom Line
If you're ever in France, you'll have a chance to enjoy the best French coffee by the skilled baristas there. Fully immerse yourself in the culture, and enjoy with a fresh croissant. (Or maybe a side of snails?!)
To try the traditional French drink that took New Orleans by storm, go for some chicory coffee. Otherwise, brew your coffee the traditional French way with a medium-dark roast. What are your thoughts? Do the French deserve more credit for their coffee?!
