In general, you should use a coarse ground coffee that’s a medium to dark roast in a French press. This is because the combination allows for flavor, oils and brewing character to come through best. Always keep your eye out at the store for beans that say “French Roast.”
However, this will really depend on you and how you like your coffee to taste. Some people like a stiff, strong shot of caffeine from their French press coffee while others prefer a lighter, cleaner taste.
What Kind of Coffee Should I Buy for a French Press?
When considering coffee for a French press, there are two factors you must take into account: the type of roast and how it’s ground. Ideally speaking, French press coffee is best when it’s a medium to dark roast with a coarse but even grind.
However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t get a light medium or even a light roast for your French press. You can even go with a medium grind if you like. But, you should be certain sure of your preferences before doing this and how it will work out in your French press.
But you should look out for certain keywords on coffee packaging to ensure it will taste right in your French press. So, anything that says full-bodied, smooth, chocolate, smoky, cocoa, nutty, woody, spicy, caramel or even earthy will be good.
What Kind of Coffee Should I Avoid Buying for a French Press?
Don’t use coffee grounds intended for espresso or ibrik (Turkish/Greek/Arabic coffee). Both of these types will be very dark are ground far too fine for use in a French press. This will result in a muddy and silt-like sediment at the bottom of your cup and it can cause heartburn.
Is Regular or Drip Grind Coffee Good for a French Press?
Regular grind is, basically, drip grind coffee. This usually has a medium enough texture for a French press as long as the mesh filter has the capacity to retain the granules.
However, you should allow the grinds to bloom for a few moments so they will expand with hot water. Then stir them around for four minutes followed by a steeping time of five to seven minutes. This will enlarge the medium-sized granules to make it easier on the mesh filter.
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Fine Grind in a French Press?
A fine grind in a French press is somewhat counterproductive. This is because the smaller particles that make up the grounds will float right through the mesh filter. It basically negates the need for pressing the coffee down.
However, you can use a paper filter in a French press and try it that way, but many people do not report much success. That said, there’s one of two ways you can do it: placing it over the grounds before you pour the hot water in or between the frame and the wire mesh filter.
But, there are problems with both of these. With putting it over the grounds before adding water, you won’t be able to bloom and stir the grounds. In the case of sandwiching between the frame and mesh, some of the grounds are bound to seep out.
Will Folgers Work in a French Press?
Yes, Folgers will do wonderfully in a French Press. However, you should opt for their French Roast style of coffee grounds rather than the regular. Simply measure out eight tablespoons of coffee and pour hot water over it. Allow this to brew for about four minutes and then depress the plunger slow, yet even.
Will Maxwell House Work in a French Press?
Yes, you can use Maxwell House in a French Press. But, you want to ensure you get the boldest blend possible or double up on the regular type. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a weak coffee that isn’t very appetizing.
What about Instant Coffee, like Nescafé?
The jury is out about using an instant coffee with a French press. It will really depend on the type of instant coffee it is and how big the coffee granules are. In general though, you shouldn’t have to use a French press with an instant coffee. This is because the process of making dried coffee lends itself to dissolving upon mixing with water.
In the case of using something like Nescafé, it’s not advisable for a French press. Not only are the grounds variable in size, but they will dissolve once you push the plunger down. It will be more of an exercise in futility than being productive in producing a decent cup of coffee.
Which Brands of Coffee Beans are Best for a French Press?
The best brands of coffee bean are a difficult thing to pinpoint. First, it comes down to the drinker and how they prefer their coffee to taste. The most popular are Arabica and Robusta. The major difference is that Arabica is smooth and sweet whereas Robusta is bold, strong and bitter.
The following list provides some popular brands for each type:
- Death Wish: For a blend of Arabica and Robusta, the dark roast offered by Death Wish provides an excellent and powerful cup of French press coffee.
- Koffee Kult: This is a small roaster from Hollywood, Florida that provides a series of Arabica beans excellent for a French press; their Columbian or Dark Roast come highly recommended.
- Lifeboost: The medium roast Arabica beans by Lifeboost have rave reviews from coffee connoisseurs, aficionados and specialty experts alike. This produces a perfect cup of brew straight from a French Press.
- Bach Coffee: Offering a fabulous medium roast perfect for a French press, the Robusta by Bach is amazing. For its type, it’s smooth and lowly acidic.
- Café Rogusta: An excellent type of Robusta, this provides a strong and bold cup of French press coffee. It goes through a special roasting process that their crafters refer to as “red honey.”
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.