Related: Does the bloom matter in French Press?
The "proper" method, as I understand it: (assuming proper grounds and tools)
- Add coffee to empty press basin
- Add 1-2 inches of boiling/hot water to initiate bloom for 30 seconds
- Pour remainder of water to fill press basin (proportionate to amount of coffee used)
- Set lid/plunger on top to preserve heat and wait for 4 minutes
- Slowly plunger coffee, pour, and enjoy.
Because of my workplace configuration, this is somewhat inconvenient. It's easier and faster to pour the water first, and then put the coffee on top, making it instead look something like this:
- Fill press basin with boiling/hot water
- Scoop the appropriate amount of coffee on top
- Set plunger on top, slightly pushing down the grounds, to preserve heat and wait for 4 minutes
- Slowly plunger coffee, pour, and enjoy.
I have not noticed any appreciable difference in taste.
Does the coffee -> water -> water method really matter compared to my water -> coffee method
Note: I am using preground coffee (grinding at work is a mild inconvenience, and a potential HR concern ;] ).