The French press is about as low-fuss as home brewing gets. There are no paper filters and no special pouring technique, so it’s very forgiving. The coffee steeps directly in the water and then a metal mesh filter separates it from the grounds. Because the mesh lets through the coffee’s natural oils and some very fine particles, French press coffee is full-bodied, rich and textured.
Here’s how to make a great cup, plus a couple of the coffees we roast at our Mooresville, NC roastery that are well suited to it.
What You’ll Need
- A French press (any size; the standard 34 oz press makes about three to four mugs)
- Coarsely ground coffee
- A kettle
- A kitchen scale, or a tablespoon if you’re measuring by volume
- A spoon for stirring (wood or plastic is safest for glass presses)
- A timer
The Basics: Ratio, Grind and Temperature
Coffee-to-water ratio
Start with about 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water (1:15). In a full 34 oz press that’s roughly 60 grams of coffee and 900 grams of water. For a smaller batch, 30 grams of coffee to 450 grams of water makes about two mugs. If you’re measuring without a scale, about 2 heaping tablespoons per 8 oz of water is a fair place to begin.
Grind size
Grind is the most important variable here. Go coarse, with chunky grounds about the size of breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. A grind that’s too fine will pass through the mesh, make the coffee muddy and bitter, and make the plunger hard to push.
Water temperature
Use water between about 195°F and 205°F. Water that’s just come off the boil is a little too hot, so let the kettle sit for 30 seconds or so. Darker roasts, which give up their flavor more easily, can taste better toward the lower end of the range.
Step-by-Step: How to Make French Press Coffee
- Preheat the press. Swirl some hot water in the empty press to warm the glass, then pour it out. This helps the brew stay at the right temperature.
- Add your coffee. Put the coarse grounds in the bottom of the press.
- Pour and start the timer. Pour in about half of the water, making sure all the grounds get wet. Wait about 30 seconds while the coffee blooms.
- Add the rest of the water. Pour in the remaining water, give it a gentle stir to break up any clumps, and set the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up.
- Steep for 4 minutes. Four minutes is the classic steep time. Once you have your recipe down, you can go a little shorter for a lighter cup or a little longer for a heavier one.
- Skim (optional). For a cleaner cup, take the lid off at the 4-minute mark and spoon away the foam and floating grounds from the top before pressing.
- Press slowly. Push the plunger down with steady, gentle pressure. It should take about 15 to 20 seconds. If it’s very hard to push, your grind is probably too fine.
- Pour right away. Serve the coffee, or pour it all into a carafe. Coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter.
Tips for a Better French Press
- Leave the last bit. The bottom of the press holds the finest sediment. Stop pouring before you reach it.
- Grind fresh if you can. A burr grinder gives you more even coarse grounds than a blade grinder, which means less sludge.
- Clean the mesh well. Leftover oils on the filter can go stale and change the taste of later brews. Take the plunger apart and rinse it now and then.
- Adjust one thing at a time. Too weak? Add a bit more coffee. Too bitter? Shorten the steep or grind slightly coarser.
Which Coffee Should You Use?
Since French press highlights body and richness, medium and dark roasts are a natural fit. Two Disco Roasters coffees we recommend:
- Carnaval is a dark roast from Brazil with savory richness, golden honey and smoky sweetness. The full body of a French press really brings out its depth.
- Sweet Pablo is a medium roast from Colombia with notes of caramel and dark chocolate and a mellow, low-acid finish. It’s smooth, sweet and easy to like.
Both come in 12 oz bags for $22, whole bean or pre-ground. Choose the Coarse (French Press) grind if you don’t grind at home.
Taste It at Coffee Republic
French press is on the menu at our cafés, so you can taste what you’re aiming for before you brew it yourself. Order ahead in the Coffee Republic app or try it at a café near you.
