This article is from the Coffee and Caffeine FAQ, by Alex Lopez-Ortiz with numerous contributions by others.
French presses are usually glass containers with a wire mesh attached
to a plunger. To make coffee, you first boil water, then pour water
into the container which should contain one or two spoons of coffee
per cup. You let it rest for 2-3 minutes and then plunge the wire
mesh. This filters the coffee.
 
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