How to Make French Press Coffee, Step by Step
To brew French press coffee correctly, use 1 gram of coarsely ground coffee for every 15 grams of water, pour in water just off the boil (about 200°F), steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger down slowly and pour right away. For a 12 oz mug, that's about 23 grams of coffee (4½ tablespoons) and 12 oz of water. A coarse grind and a 4-minute steep give you a rich, full-bodied cup without bitterness.
The French press is one of the easiest ways to make great coffee at home. It pairs especially well with fuller-bodied coffees like our Fringe Blend and our everyday Loom Blend, both roasted to order at our roastery in St. Paul, Minnesota.
French Press Ratio Chart
| How much coffee you want | Water | Coffee (grams) | Coffee (tablespoons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mug | 12 oz (350 ml) | 23 g | about 4½ tbsp |
| 2 mugs | 24 oz (700 ml) | 47 g | about 9 tbsp |
| Full 34 oz press | 34 oz (1 liter) | 67 g | about 13 tbsp |
Based on a 1:15 ratio. For stronger coffee, use a little more coffee (1:13). For lighter, use a little less (1:17). Tablespoon amounts are for ground coffee and are approximate, so a kitchen scale is more accurate.
What You Need
- A French press
- Fresh whole bean coffee
- A burr grinder (or ask us to grind it coarse for French press)
- A kettle
- A kitchen scale (optional, but it helps)
- A spoon and a timer
How to Make French Press Coffee, Step by Step
- Heat your water. Bring filtered water to a boil, then let it sit for about 30 seconds so it drops to around 200°F. Boiling water can scorch the coffee and make it bitter.
- Grind your coffee coarse. Aim for a grind about the size of coarse sea salt. Too fine and the coffee turns bitter and muddy, and the plunger gets hard to push. Grind right before brewing for the most flavor.
- Preheat the press (optional). Swirl a little hot water in the empty press and dump it out. This keeps your coffee hotter.
- Add coffee and water. Put the grounds in the press, start your timer and pour in all the water. Make sure every bit of coffee gets wet.
- Stir and steep. Give it a gentle stir, put the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up, and let it steep for 4 minutes.
- Press slowly. Push the plunger down slowly and steadily. It should take about 20 to 30 seconds. If it's hard to push, your grind is too fine.
- Pour it all right away. Coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps brewing and turns bitter. Pour everything into mugs or a carafe as soon as you press.
Want a cleaner cup? After the 4-minute steep, stir the crust on top, skim off the foam with two spoons, and wait another 5 minutes before pressing. Only press the plunger down to the surface of the coffee, not all the way. This lets the fine particles settle and gives you noticeably less sludge.
French Press Troubleshooting
Why is my French press coffee bitter?
Usually the grind is too fine, the steep is too long, or the coffee sat on the grounds after pressing. Go coarser, keep it to 4 minutes and pour it all out right away.
Why is my French press coffee weak or sour?
You're probably using too little coffee, the grind is too coarse, or the water isn't hot enough. Try the 1:15 ratio in the chart above, grind a little finer, and use water just off the boil.
Why are there grounds in my coffee?
A little sediment is normal. That's part of what gives French press its body. To cut it down, use a consistent burr grinder, try the cleaner-cup method above, and leave the last bit of coffee in the press.
Why is the plunger so hard to push?
The grind is too fine and is clogging the filter. Go coarser. Pushing harder can make the press spray or crack.
Why is my coffee lukewarm?
Preheat the press with hot water first, and pour your coffee into a preheated mug or thermal carafe instead of leaving it in the press.
Pros and Cons of the French Press
- Pros: rich, full body; no paper filters to buy; easy to use; makes several cups at once; inexpensive.
- Cons: some sediment in the cup; needs a coarse, even grind; the glass carafe can break; doesn't keep coffee hot for long.
Deciding between brewers? See our guide to pour over vs. French press.
Best Coffee for French Press
French press brings out body and sweetness, so medium and dark roasts are a natural fit. Try Loom Blend for nutty, toffee and chocolate notes, or Fringe Blend for a bold, chocolatey cup that's great with milk. If you prefer brighter coffees, a light roast works too. Just keep the 4-minute steep so it doesn't taste sour.
Whatever you choose, fresh beans make the biggest difference. Every bag we sell is roasted to order and ships in 1 to 3 business days. Not sure which coffee fits you? Take our 60-second coffee quiz.
