When Bodum took over a small clarinet factory in Normandy in 1982. It was not because of the fine orchestra clarinets they were producing but because of a relatively unknown coffee maker called the Chambord which they, by coincidence, produced as well.

Bodum combined the skills of these Normandy craftsmen with modern production, and the price became affordable to the many people who loved the taste of the coffee brewed in this unique coffee maker, later known as the French press coffee brewer. Thanks to Bodum and thanks to the increasing need for better coffee, the French press coffee maker became one of the most popular coffeemakers in the world. The design has not changed a bit from the original drawings, and we still make the Chambord with the same painstaking care and knowledge we learned from those proud craftsmen in windy Normandy.

The ease of brewing... the delicious smell and taste of French roasted dark coffee have not changed, but the price of this coffee brewer puts another facet of coffee enjoyment within reach.  We also find it convenient to use when we want a cup of coffee in the middle of the day but don't really want to brew a whole pot..

This brewer brews 32 oz of coffee and comes with instructions for use, but some find the instructions confusing.  Brewing is simple. Use the following steps:

1. Remove the lid and plunger assembly
2. With the standard coffee scoop provided, measure 4 level to slightly rounded scoops of your favorite whole bean coffee and with your coffee grinder, grind the beans using a medium-to-coarse grind setting.
3. Add the grounds into the glass brewer, and pour just off boil water that you've heated in your water kettle, over the grounds to within an inch or so of the top of the glass beaker.
4. Stir with a plastic spoon or other plastic implement (to prevent scratching and weakening the glass beaker), and set the plunger/top in place so the plunger is just touching the water/grounds mixture
5. Let sit for 4-5 minutes, then gently press the plunger all the way down until it stops.  If it becomes difficult to press down, raise slightly and continue pressing.
6. Now decant some of the best coffee you will ever taste into 2 regular size (12-16 oz) mugs, and if you'd like, add condiments to your taste and enjoy!