4 minutes is the standard amount of time to brew coffee in a French press. Anywhere between 3 – 6 minutes is ideal, though it depends on your individual taste buds and if you like a stronger coffee. You can use a French press to experiment with your coffee – 4 minutes may not be long enough, but 6 may taste bitter.
Read on for an in-depth guide into making coffee in a French press, including how long to brew coffee in a French press, which beans make the best brew and how large a grind to use.
How Long Should I Brew French Press Coffee For?
Anywhere between 3 and 6 minutes is an ideal brewing time, with 4 minutes being the standard amount of time to brew coffee in a French press. Although it depends on your individual taste buds. If you like a stronger coffee, then brewing longer will make it taste stronger. This also depends on which coffee beans and roast you use.
What Is a French Press?
A French press, also known as a cafetière, or coffee press, is a device used to manually brew coffee. They are cheap to buy, as they do not use electricity. It is made up of a glass beaker and a metal plunger with a mesh filter. French press can also be used like a strainer to make loose leaf tea.
How Does a French Press Work?
A French press works by brewing coffee manually. Coffee beans need to be ground coarsely and uniformly using a grinder, before being placed in the glass beaker. The grounds are steeped in hot water for a few minutes before being pressed to the bottom of the beaker with the plunger, separating the grounds from the liquid with the mesh filter.
How Do I Brew Coffee in a French Press?
- Grind the coffee beans.
- Boil water and let it rest for 30 seconds.
- Put coffee grounds in and pour half of hot water on.
- After 30 seconds stir grounds with water.
- Pour rest of water in.
- Place lid on top and let coffee steep for around 4 minutes.
- Press plunger down to bottom.
How Much Coffee Do I Put in a French Press?
Around 2 tablespoons of coffee beans (ground) are a suitable amount for one cup of coffee. Use one cup of water, or around 8 ounces, for one cup of coffee. Double the amount for each additional cup of coffee you would like to make, as you can make more than one at a time in a French press.
What Type of Coffee Beans Should I Use in a French Press?
This depends entirely on your taste buds and how strong of a brew you like. If you prefer a stronger coffee with more aroma, then a medium to dark roast is recommended. But if you prefer your coffee to have a milder taste, then a light roast will suit you. You don’t need to use any special type of coffee.
How Do I Grind Coffee Beans for a French Press?
French presses require coarse ground beans, as finely ground beans can get through the mesh filter into the coffee, causing sediment and a bitter taste. Pre-ground beans which you can buy are often too small, and so it is recommended to grind your own for a French press. A smoother coffee is made in a French press with uniform grounds.
What Grinder Is Best to Use for Coffee Beans for a French Press?
A burr grinder is recommended as it can grind the larger, coarse grounds that are used in a French press. Burr grinders grind the beans between two abrasive surfaces and changing the distance between them changes the size of the grind. They make more uniform grounds, again ideal for a French press. You can buy a manual or electric grinder.
Does Coffee Taste Better When Made in a French Press?
French press coffee has a distinct and rich flavor. The coffee beans are saturated, making a strong cup of coffee. French presses are a popular method to use because you have complete control over how strong you make your brew, to suit your tastes, rather than how a machine might make it. You can make your perfect brew every time!
Why Does My Coffee Taste Bitter Brewed in a French Press?
It can take practice to brew the perfect coffee in a French press every time. Reasons your coffee may taste bitter are:
- The coffee has been brewed for too long.
- The beans have been ground too finely.
- The French press is not clean.
- The roast you are using is too dark.
- The beans are stale.
What Kinds of Coffee Can I Make in a French Press?
As you can use any kind of coffee bean in a French press, as long as the beans are ground correctly, you can make a variety of coffee drinks. These include:
- Americano
- Flat white
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Instant
- Espresso (although espresso is made in a different way to other coffee, this tricky drink can still be done in a French press!)
How Do I Make Espresso in a French Press?
- Finely grind your beans.
- Pre-heat your French press by filling it with water for a few minutes.
- Boil water.
- Put in twice the amount of coffee you would usually.
- Add a small amount of water.
- After 30 seconds add rest of water and stir.
- Add lid, then after a few minutes press down.
How Do I Clean a French Press?
Clean your French press in-between each use as grounds stuck in the filter will make your coffee taste bitter.
- Rinse with hot water to remove all loose grounds.
- Unscrew the filter and rinse again.
- Add dishwashing liquid and fill halfway with water.
- Plunge the plunger and filter into the beaker a few times.
- Rinse again.
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.