French press coffee has a reputation for being rich, full-bodied, and satisfying in a way that sticks with you after the cup is empty. This brewing method has been around since the 1920s, and millions of people worldwide start their mornings with it. The appeal is partly the flavour and partly the ritual. The equipment is simple, the method is repeatable, and the cup at the end makes the effort worthwhile.
What is French Press Coffee?
The French press is an immersion coffee brewer, meaning the coffee grounds sit in the water while flavour compounds dissolve for around 4 minutes. Once the coffee has steeped, the plunger presses the mesh filter through the liquid, passing the flavour into your cup without the grounds. The longer contact time pulls more body and richness from the grounds, resulting in a coffee that has a heavier body, richer mouthfeel, and more pronounced flavour.
What You'll Need
You probably have most of this in your kitchen already. To make French press coffee you’ll need:
A French press coffee maker. Choose a size based on how much coffee you plan to brew at once. A 3-cup press suits one person, while a 6-cup or 8-cup works better for households or when you want a second serve without brewing again.
Fresh coffee beans. Coffee roasters recommend beans roasted within the past two to four weeks for the best flavour. Whole beans hold their flavour compounds longer than pre-ground coffee.
A coffee grinder. A burr grinder creates consistent particle sizes, which leads to even extraction and better tasting coffee. If you use pre-ground coffee, look for packages labelled “coarse” or “French press grind.”
A kettle. A standard kettle works fine, though a gooseneck kettle gives more control over your pour. Electric kettles with temperature displays make hitting the right water temperature easier.
A scale. Scales remove guesswork from measuring your grams of coffee and water.
A timer. This keeps your brew time accurate.
Filtered water. Since brewed coffee is mostly water, the quality affects your final cup.
Step-by-Step French Press Coffee Brewing
With just these nine steps, you can turn beans and water into something worth waking up for.
Boil Your Water
Boil more water than you’ll need for your French press coffee, then let it cool for about 30 seconds to one minute. Water straight off the boil can scald the coffee grounds leading to a bitter flavour, so let it cool to between 90°C and 96°C.
Preheat Your Equipment
Pour your extra hot water into the French press carafe and swirl it around to warm it before discarding.
Grind Your Coffee
Grind your coffee beans to a coarse grind, about the texture of coarse sea salt.
Measure Your Ingredients
The French press’ standard 1:15 ratio means one gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water.
Grind Your Beans
Grind your French press coffee beans to a coarse texture similar to that of sea salt. Add the grounds to your French press.
Add Water
Set your timer for four minutes and pour just enough hot water into the French press to saturate all the grounds. Give the mixture a gentle stir to ensure all the grounds get wet. Let this sit for around 30 seconds, then pour the rest of your hot water into the French press and place the lid on top with the plunger pulled up.
Steep
Let the coffee brew for four minutes.
Press the Plunger
When your timer reaches four minutes, push the plunger down at a slow, even pace.
Serve
Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!
Learn to Make French Press Coffee and Other Best Coffees!
The French press puts you in control of your morning cup. The same attention to detail that makes a great French press also makes other great coffees at home. Our nationally accredited barista training is where you can learn the craft behind every brew method and build skills that work in any kitchen or café.
FAQs
Can You Make Cold Brew in a French Press?
The French press works well for cold brew coffee. Combine coarsely ground coffee with cold or room temperature water at a 1:8 ratio, steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours, then press the plunger and pour. The cold water extracts flavour slowly without pulling out bitter compounds, producing a smooth concentrate you can dilute with water or milk.
How Often Should You Replace the Mesh Filter?
Most French press filters last six months to a year with regular use before the mesh begins to wear and allows more sediment through. Signs that your press filter needs replacing include visible tears, a loose fit against the carafe walls, and noticeably grittier coffee than you used to get.
Does the Roast Level Affect French Press Results?
Medium to dark roasts tend to perform well in a French press because the immersion method highlights their chocolate, caramel, and nutty notes. Light roasts can taste more acidic and tea-like through this brewer since the metal filter preserves bright flavours that paper filters soften.
