In distress, perhaps a French press

Recently, I have commenced drinking my morning cup of coffee again. For years, I had given up coffee completely. In 2011 my wife and I stopped cold turkey and didn’t touch a drop for four years. In 2015 we began having a cup once a week during the weekend. For 2016, I, the prodigal coffee drinker, have returned. When I first gave up coffee, it was truly depressing, and I entered a period of mourning. I pushed on and continued hoping the lack of caffeine in my system would lower my stress levels and my intensity as a person. I am a very passionate person by nature; especially, when arguing a point that is dear to me; I believe coffee intensifies this situation. So for years, I feel like I have a been a different person more mellow, more melancholy, less extroverted, less intense and bold. Giving up coffee, my favorite drink was a epiphany for me, especially since I have been a coffee drinker since I was probably in 3rd grade. Some might find this awful, but to me I enjoyed coffee more than drinking a soda. As far as my memory will go, I can remember my dad taking me out for coffee. He would have coffee and I would have a soda or hot chocolate until I switched. My dad would use the excuse of going out for coffee as way to spend time catching up with his children. I still enjoy a good cup of coffee with my dad whenever I can get the chance. I wonder if my dad would like a Stanley Travel Press?

Just Press… The Stanley Travel Press has been a nice addition at work when I just want one really good cup of coffee the way I like it. Left to right: The cap with a carrying clip, the cap twists to the mug and has a separate twist to allow a person to sip their coffee and keep it hot when not in use. Next is the mug itself, the French press with the filter screen that detaches for easy cleaning, fresh ground coffee, and a table spoon for the require 4 scoops.

But, why the French press? I love my coffee bold, but not bitter. I drink my coffee black as I enjoy the aroma and rich flavor. At work, we have a Keurig type coffee maker. The single cups for brewing are expensive, and it seems the smallest setting provided the best taste, but not enough coffee to really satisfy a coffee drinker. Plus, the machine had constant break downs. The solution came from what I thought was an unlikely place, Walmart and the Stanley travel mug French press. It’s labelled a travel press. My wife found it at our local Walmart and told me about it. When I left work that day, I swung by the store and purchased it. The Stanley Travel Press was the last one on the shelf and in an odd spot in the camping section. I purchased the last one and like most items in Walmart, the restocking of a particularly unique items seem to be unknown to the clerks.

The press is simple to operate. I first place hot water in it to warm up the interior since I like my coffee hot. I dump the hot water out and then add 4 heaping tablespoons of my favorite coffee to the empty mug. I then add hot water to the correct level and seal the lid. The coffee then steeps/brews for 5 minutes before I open the lid and slowly press the coffee grounds to the bottom, and I close the lid, leaving the press inside the mug. I drink my coffee black, but if one wanted to add cream or sugar they could be added to the inside of the press mechanism. The coffee mug doesn’t leak once sealed, so you can have your coffee with cream; shaken, not stirred.

I did not receive a cent for this review or any review; in fact, I just like the product. The only thing I would change about the Stanley Travel mug French press is to replace the plastic press with a stainless steel one. I have a sensitive nose and taste, and I believe the plastic press does alter the coffee’s flavor slightly, but probably not noticeable to most individuals. On a positive note, the Stanley Press does advertise that it is BPA free.