How to Make French Press Coffee for the Perfect Brew
French press coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in hot water, then using a mesh filter to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee. It’s a popular option that requires minimal equipment and produces a full-bodied cup with rich flavor through a simple immersion brewing process.
To learn more about French press coffee, including how to make it at home, continue reading.
What Makes French Press Coffee Unique
French press coffee uses a unique immersion process that keeps coarse coffee grounds submerged in hot water for a few minutes, then filters them through a metal mesh strainer rather than a paper filter.
Other brewing methods, like drip and pour-over, quickly push water through coffee grounds rather than submerging them and use finer paper filters to keep coffee grounds and brewed coffee separated.
Since the metal filter in a French press isn’t as fine, the coffee’s natural oils and fine particles are present in the final cup, adding to the unique flavor and body this method is known for.
Why Coarse Grind Matters for French Press
To make a flavorful cup using a French press, you’ll need a coarse grind that is coarser than what you would use for drip or pour-over.
Because the coffee is in contact with the water for minutes, a finer grind will extract too quickly, resulting in a bitter cup. A mixture of fine and coarse grinds will lead to uneven extraction, which can result in an unpleasant taste.
Your final cup may have a little bit of sediment because of the mesh strainer, but using too fine a grind will cause too much sediment. If you notice excessive sediment in your cup or a bitter taste, adjust your grind size. If it tastes weak or sour, try making your grind size a little finer, but still coarse.
How to Brew French Press Coffee: Easy French Press Recipe
Follow this French press recipe for a rich, full-bodied cup at home:
What You’ll Need
- Water kettle
- French press
- 30 grams of coffee
- Coffee grinder
- Scale
- Mug
- Spoon
Brew Time: 4 minutes
Water Temperature: 195-200°F
Steps
- Warm the French press by pouring hot water into it.
- Grind the 30 grams of coffee to a coarse consistency.
- Discard the hot water from the French press and place the empty French press on the scale.
- Add the coffee grounds to the French press and tare the scale.
- With your water heated to the right temperature, start a timer and pour 250 grams of hot water into the French press. Stir the grounds with a spoon and let them bloom for 40 seconds.
- Add another 250 grams of hot water. Place the lid on the French press and let the coffee steep until the timer reaches 4 minutes.
- Gently push the plunger all the way down and pour the brewed coffee into your mug immediately.
If you have coffee left in the French press, transfer it to another container right away. Leaving it in contact with the grounds will allow it to continue brewing.
French Press Ideal Ratio
A good starting point for French press coffee is a 1:16 or 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio. This means 16 or 17 grams of water for every gram of coffee used. However, there isn’t a single ratio that you have to stick to.
Many factors influence the result of your French press, so this ratio is a starting point. You can increase the amount of coffee for a stronger cup or increase the amount of water for a lighter cup.
For a more consistent result, use a scale to weigh the coffee and water because this is more accurate than measuring with scoops and cups.
Cold French Press Coffee and Cold Brew Using French Press
Cold French press coffee and cold brew aren’t the same thing, but a French press can be used to make cold brew. It requires the coffee to be brewed cold or at room temperature and for longer than traditional French press coffee.
To use your French press to make cold brew, follow these steps:
- Add coarsely ground coffee to the French press.
- Add cold or room-temperature water to the coffee grounds and stir gently to saturate them.
- Cover the French press without plunging and place it in the refrigerator for 16-18 hours.
- Gently push the plunger all the way down and pour your cold-brewed coffee into a clean container.
Use a 1:8-1:9 coffee-to-water ratio for ready-to-drink cold brew or a 1:4-1:5 coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew concentrate.
Alternatively, you can brew a regular French press using hot water, allow it to cool, and serve over ice. This is cold French press coffee that still retains the flavor and characteristics of a French press.
Fixing Muddy or Bitter French Press Coffee
Making French press coffee is fairly straightforward, but there are some common issues beginners can run into.
- Muddy Cup: Caused by grinding coffee too fine or pushing the plunger too aggressively.
- Bitter or Harsh Flavor: Caused by grinding coffee too fine, steeping for too long, or using water that’s too hot.
- Weak or Sour Flavor: Caused by grinding coffee too coarsely, steeping too little, or water that is too cold.
If you come across any of these issues, change one variable at a time on your next attempts. This will help you identify what change makes the right difference so you can continue adjusting gradually.
