French coffee: what it is and how to make it
French coffee is one of Egypt's favourite orders, yet there is real confusion around it. What exactly is it? How is it different from Turkish? Is it just instant coffee? This guide sorts it out.
So what is French coffee?
In Egypt, French coffee means real roasted beans, usually a medium roast, brewed weaker than Turkish and served in a big mug, most often with milk. It is not instant coffee: instant is freeze dried powder, while our French is actual beans roasted and ground, and the taste difference needs no expert.
French versus Turkish
Turkish is ground powder fine and simmered with the water in a kanaka, grounds and all, which gives it that heavy body and foam. French is ground coarser and brewed through a filter, a drip machine or a French press, so the cup comes out cleaner and lighter, with no foam. Both are great. Each has its mood and its moment.
An easy method at home
If you have a filter machine or a French press, brew with a filter or press grind at about one tablespoon per cup, then add hot milk to taste. No equipment at all? Put a tablespoon of French coffee in a cup of hot water, stir, cover for 4 minutes, strain through a fine sieve and add your milk.
Our French comes plain or hazelnut, and both are ground to whichever method you pick at order time.
