Dear Lynne,  

A coffee question: What does “off the boil” mean? The instructions for our new press coffee pot say to use water which is “off the boil.” My husband says that’s before it boils, I think he’s dead wrong, it is after the boil. 

–Janie and Tom in Olympia

Dear Janie and Tom, 

“Off the boil,” the ideal brewing temperature for all coffees except espresso, is 195ºF to 205ºF. You bring water to a boil, remove it from the heat, wait a moment, then pour it over the coffee.

Your pot produces especially good coffee if you figure 2 rounded tablespoons of fresh coarse-ground coffee beans for every 6 ounces (3/4 cup) water. Brew 4 minutes, and press down the plunger to separate grounds from liquid.

-Lynne

Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Lynne Rossetto Kasper has won numerous awards as host of The Splendid Table, including two James Beard Foundation Awards (1998, 2008) for Best National Radio Show on Food, five Clarion Awards (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014) from Women in Communication, and a Gracie Allen Award in 2000 for Best Syndicated Talk Show.