The standard operation for brewing coffee in the French press includes the following:
- A medium to coarse grind of any roast
- Brew at 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Brew 2-3 minutes.
This is the bare-bones recipe. Every cup of coffee is meant to be just as unique as you are, so you’ll find the best cup of coffee by changing little things to see what you like, experimenting with the different variables, and finding your golden cup of java.
How Long Should Coffee Steep in a French Press?
How long you steep your coffee will depend on what kind of roast it is, how coarse or fine the grounds are, and how strong you want your coffee to be.
What is a French press?
A French press is a manual coffee brewer. It has a carafe, a metal filter, a plunger, and a lid.
How do I use a French press?
To use a French Press, you can use this recipe to start and vary whatever you wish, to your taste.
To Use a French Press:
Measure Coffee & Heat Water
The average single cup of coffee is 1-2 tbsp per cup of water.
Start heating water before you measure out your coffee.
Add the Coffee & Water
The coffee grounds go straight into the carafe.
Pour the hot water in the carafe as well. There are two options here.
You can add the water to just barely saturate the coffee and let the grounds bloom. Then you’ll add the remainder of the water.
You can just add all the water.
Stir & Cover
Stir the mixture to break up the clumps that have formed.
Put the cover on.
Brew & Stir
The amount of time you wait will depend on how you like your coffee:
Longer brew times result in darker, stronger coffee. Brewing coffee for too long can make it bitter. Long brew times vary between 3-5 minutes.
Shorter brew times result in lighter, more weak coffee. Shorter brew times vary between 1-3 minutes.
Stirring the coarse grounds may help the carafe to get through the brew easier.
Plunge & Filter
It’s time to filter your coffee. Push the plunger down.
Taking your time pushing the filter through the brew, and pushing the coffee grinds to the bottom will result in a clearer, cleaner brew.
Pour Immediately
If you let the coffee grinds and the brew sit together in the carafe, they are still brewing and still getting stronger and more bitter. Pour.
Is it difficult to use a French press?
Using a French press is not difficult, although it can be intimidating to a newbie. The steps are simple and within no time, you’ll be able to whip up an amazing cup of coffee in your French press.
Is a French press worth it?\
Your opinion of your french press will vary from the next, but what matters is what you think of it. You can make a variety of different coffees with a French press.
If you like a full-bodied coffee and you don’t mind the sediment, a French Press could be your best friend.
How much coffee do I put in a French Press?
Generally, per cup of coffee, you’ll want to add 1-2 tablespoons of coffee. This varies, so here’s a chart to help:
Coffee per Cup of Water
| French Press | 3 cups | 8 cups | 12 cups |
| Coffee | 3-6 tbsp | 8-16 tbsp | 12-24 tbsp |
This table is representative of the number of coffee grounds per one cup of water for brewing purposes via the French press.
It’s worth noting that 3 tbsp could be a world of difference from 6 tbsp. This makes a French Press very versatile in that it’s possible to make very specific recipes and a specific cup of coffee every time you brew.
Which coffee grind is best for a French press?
French press coffee makers work best with medium to coarse ground coffee. The reason coarser grounds are better in the French Press is that the finer coffee will be able to push through the filter, resulting in a sludgy cup of coffee.
Coarse grinds are perfect because the majority will be filtered out, leaving you with a cleaner cup of coffee. If you don’t mind the sediment at the bottom of your cup, medium to fine grounds may also work well for you.
Can you use any roast in a French press?
Darker roasts do really well in a French press because you can control the temperature and the brew time, it will likely be a little bitter, and flavorful. The darker beans hold on to the most oils, which makes for a great flavor.
You can use whichever beans you’d like to. You’re the boss of your coffee. If you like light roasts, by all means, you can use them in the French press.
Which roast is better in a French press?
Medium to dark roasts are preferred by baristas because the flavors are more colorful. Lighter roasts tend to taste weaker in the French press.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in my French press?
You can use whichever coffee you prefer. It’s important to consider the grind when deciding what to get. The grind will directly impact the cleanness of your coffee. Fine grinds tend to slip past the filter and into your coffee much more often than coarse grinds.
Why are there coffee grounds in my mug?
French press coffee makers have a metal filter. The coffee grounds can pass through this filter, especially for finer grounds.
The best way to avoid coffee grounds is by using a coarse coffee grind, but there will likely still be a few coffee grounds that make their way into your mug. You could also add another filter if you’re persistent in using fine grinds.
Can I leave coffee in the French press?
Leaving the coffee in a French press after plunging and filtering will mean that the coffee and the brew are still interacting. This means that the coffee will continue to brew unless you pour all the coffee out.
You’ll want to pour the whole thing over into mugs or another carafe until you’re ready to use it.
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.