For any one who regularly uses a Bodum French press--likely the Chambord or Brazil models--the Columbia model looks and feels like a step up. Stainless steel, mixed with a vessel that looks and performs like a carafe, makes the item feel less like something that belongs in a cafe and more like a sophisticated piece of kitchenware.

Why do you need a French Press? I'll tell you later, first lets talk about how absolutely stunning this one is.

Its from Bodum so you know its rocks. This beautifully crafted french press is made out of glistening seamless stainless steel. The gentle curves and smooth handle make it a joy to handle. The top of the plunger is decorated with a kind of whimsical 'fob' that adds a bit of humor. Its a striking piece of metal with a place in your kitchen.

Now for why you need one...

If you truly enjoy coffee - I mean, REALLY enjoy it, you need to kick that old drip machine into the waste bin and pick up a French Press. Coffee comes from a bean (or a pit of a coffee cherry). Contained within each bean is a little bit of oil that is essential to the flavor of coffee. When you use a typical drip brewer, the filter is usually made of paper and it absorbs much of this oil. Also, since the water is 'strained' through the grounds, the coffee doesn't have a chance to truly interact with the water.

A French Press solves these issues. It consists of a container (in this case its a stainless steel pitcher) and a stainless screen attached to a rod. You first place the coffee grounds at the bottom of the pitcher. Then you pour hot filtered water over the grounds, stir and let them play for 4 minutes. The grounds are fully immersed in hot water for much longer. This allows them to impart their true flavor into the water. Once 4 minutes are up, you plunge the rod toward the bottom pushing all the grounds to the base. As this happens, all the water has a second chance to pass through the beans and collect more flavor. From this point you pour and enjoy a richer and more full bodied coffee.

The French Press method is the preferred way to taste-test coffee and is the closest to the way coffee merchants test the crops when they visit their suppliers.

Have one. Use it every day.

Strongest, best tasting coffee.

And it's insulated so your java stays like lava. That was a totally awesome rhyme.

cute as pie

Great for both tea and coffee, this press is beautifully made and keeps your coffee and tea hot while you work on your novel.

Hands down my favorite french press! Nice weight, keeps the coffee nice & hot and it serves nicely. By that I mean it looks great on the coffee, dinner, cafe and conference table. Another homerun from BODUM. (via www.jamaicabluemountaincoffee.com)