The standard, optimum coffee-to-water ratio for a French press is 1:12. It depends on your personal preference of how strong you like coffee to be, varying between 1:10 and 1:15. This ratio results in 1 parts coffee for 12 parts water. For a strong, bold coffee, choose a 1:10 ratio, and for a lighter, milder coffee a 1:15 ratio.
We will explore the ideal coffee-to-water ratio for a French press and dive into why the amount and temperature of water is so important in French press brewing.
What Is the Best Ratio for Coffee-to-Water in a French Press?
The ideal coffee-to-water ratio for a French press is 1:12 – 1 parts coffee and 12 parts water. Depending on your taste preference, the ideal ratio can vary anywhere from 1:10 to 1:12. If you like bold, robust coffee, try a 1:10 ratio, but if you prefer a milder, less bitter coffee, aim for a ratio of 1:15.
What is the French Press Brewing Method?
A French press is a simple, easy to use coffee device which you can use to manually brew coffee at home. It consists of a glass beaker, a metal plunger and a stainless-steel mesh filter. French presses use an immersion method to brew coffee, steeping the grounds in hot water for several minutes to extract the flavors.
How Does a French Press Work?
- Place coffee grinds into the beaker.
- Boil water and leave for at least 30 seconds to cool.
- Pour enough water to cover the grounds.
- Let them bloom for 30 seconds.
- Pour the remaining hot water in and stir.
- Put on lid and let steep for around 4 minutes.
- Press plunger to bottom.
What Temperature Should Water Be in a French Press?
The water you use in your French press should not be boiling. Boil your water first in a kettle or on the stove, and then let it sit and cool for 30 seconds to a minute. The temperature should be around 190-195 degrees to best extract the flavors from the coffee.
If the water is too cool it will be under-unextracted and taste weak and sour. If water is too hot it can scorch the coffee grounds and make them taste burnt and bitter.
Can a French Press Use Cold Water?
You can use cold water in a French press to make cold brew coffee. Cold brew is brewed without heat, instead the coffee grounds are soaked in cold water for around 12 hours, such as overnight in a refrigerator.
How Do I Make Cold Brew in a French Press?
- For a standard 8-cup French press, add 6 ounces of coffee grounds and 28 ounces of cold water.
- Stir the cold water to get all the grounds wet.
- Leave to steep for between 12 and 15 hours in a cold dark place. You can leave the coffee overnight in your refrigerator.
- When it is ready, push down your plunger to the bottom and serve.
How Long Should Coffee Steep in a French Press?
Steeping coffee grounds in hot water for several minutes is what gives French press coffee such a unique flavor. Anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes is an ideal time, but 4 minutes is the average time to get the best cup of French press coffee. Steeping for too long can over-extract the grounds and lead to bitterness.
What Happens When Coffee Steeps in Water?
The steeping process gives the hot water plenty of time to extract the flavors, aromas, oils, caffeine and nutrients from the coffee grounds. Over the 4 minutes these will saturate into the hot water and create a bold, rich-tasting cup of coffee that French presses are so renowned for.
Why is Water So Important to the French Press Brewing Method?
Other coffee methods may include quickly pouring water through coffee grinds and only extracting for a short amount of time. For French press coffee, water is a vital part of the brewing method for blooming. Coffee blooms initially as it makes contact with hot water and as it steeps it continues to degas.
What Is Coffee Blooming and Degassing?
When coffee beans are roasted they release gases such as carbon dioxide, continuing to release gradually. As coffee makes contact with water these gases expel quickly and create pressure which repels the water. Pouring water on the grounds initially lets coffee bloom and release most of these gases to help the rest of the water flow through the coffee grounds.
How Do I Get French Press Coffee to Bloom?
- Pour enough water over your grounds to ensure they are evenly covered and are all wet.
- Leave for 30 seconds to bloom.
- The coffee grounds will puff up and a foam will rise over the top of them as the trapped carbon dioxide quickly releases.
- After 30 seconds pour the remaining hot water into your French press and stir.
After the coffee has bloomed continue the process of making coffee in your French press by pouring in the rest of the hot water and leaving to steep for around 4 minutes. The coffee will saturate into the water and continue to degas and extract flavors.
Is A French Press Good for Blooming Coffee?
French presses are a really great method for blooming coffee. As the coffee steeps in hot water for several minutes the direct contact allows the grounds to keep degassing and releasing carbon dioxide. Coffee beans can be used while they are fresher as more gas is released while brewing, and this adds more flavor to the coffee.
Does Coffee Taste Better Made in a French Press?
French presses are a popular method and for good reason – it is renowned making rich, distinct, robust flavor coffee compared to other methods. This is because it is unfiltered by paper, the mesh separates the grounds and water but this direct steeping allows more flavors into the coffee. The strength and taste can be personalised by altering steeping time.
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.
