Which part of a French Press is used to separate brewed coffee from the grounds?

The plunger is the component of a French Press that is specifically designed to separate brewed coffee from the grounds. When brewing coffee with a French Press, coarsely ground coffee is steeped in hot water. After an appropriate steeping time, the plunger, which is attached to a mesh filter, is pressed down. This action pushes the coffee grounds to the bottom of the carafe while allowing the brewed coffee to flow through the mesh and into the drinking area above. The efficiency of the plunger mechanism ensures that the liquid coffee is clear and free of grounds, providing a smooth drinking experience.

The other parts of the French Press serve different functions. The lid helps retain heat while brewing and can also hold the plunger in place when not in use, but it does not perform the separation of grounds. The carafe is the vessel where the brewing occurs and where the coffee is held but does not actively separate the coffee from the grounds. The handle provides a means to hold and pour the contents of the carafe, but it, too, does not contribute to the separation process.