Coffee that has been freshly ground using a grinder is the best kind to use in a French press. Coarsely ground beans that are midsize are most suitable to use in your French press due to the filtering method. French presses separate coffee and grinds through a metal mesh and if they are too finely ground they can get through.
This article will explain how to use ground coffee in a French press, how to grind coffee beans and what size to grind them to use in a French press.
Does a French Press Use Ground Coffee?
Yes, French presses use ground coffee. It is best to use beans that have been freshly ground for the best flavor. Coffee should be ground coarsely, midsize, and uniformly for the best results in a French press. This will give coffee the best flavor from the steeping method and avoid any sediment or bitterness in your coffee.
How Thick Should Coffee Grind Be?
Different methods of coffee making require different sized coffee grinds for optimal results. For a French press, coarsely ground beans are more suitable than those that are finely ground. This is because finely ground beans will over-extract the flavor when steeped in water for too long, and can escape through the mesh filter, causing your coffee to taste bitter.
Can You Use Pre-Ground Beans in a French Press?
Yes, you can use pre-ground beans in a French press. Ensure that the beans you buy are the right size and are ground coarsely. However, using coffee beans that you have freshly ground yourself produces the best tasting coffee in a French press as it is more rich, flavorful and has not gone stale.
Can You Use Instant Coffee in a French Press?
Yes, technically you can use instant coffee powder in a French press. However, this is not recommended for the optimal results that a French press offers. Instant coffee is a lot less flavorful than fresh coffee grinds. As instant coffee comes in a finely ground powder it will become over-extracted and may taste stale, bitter and cause sediment.
Can You Use Finely Ground Coffee in a French Press?
You can use finely ground coffee in a French press, but it is at risk of getting through the mesh filter and into the coffee, causing bitter-tasting coffee with bits in. If you are going to use finely ground coffee in a French press you should add another filtering technique to the process such as a strainer or paper filter.
Which Coffee Beans Should I Use in a French Press?
You can use any kind of coffee bean in a French press, it all depends on your personal preference – Arabic, Robusta, light roast, or dark roast. There is no special bean to use for a French press, the flavors depend more on the thickness of the grind and the steeping time.
How Do I Grind Coffee Beans?
You can buy different kinds of grinder, electric and manual, to grind your coffee beans at home. To grind the coarse, midsize, uniform grounds that French presses are suited to, a burr grinder will provide the best results. The coffee is ground between the abrasive surfaces, and the size of the grind changes by altering the gap between these.
What Types of Coffee Grinders Are There?
- Burr grinders – as mentioned above, burr grinders have serrated surfaces which grind the beans between them. These grinders create grounds in a more uniform shape which is consistent in size, so are great to use. They can be either automatic or manual.
- Blade grinders – have sharp blades which rotate and dice coffee beans. They are usually electric.
Should You Dispose of Coffee Grounds When Cleaning a French Press?
You should properly dispose of coffee grounds in the household waste rather than rinsing them straight down the sink. They can cause clogged drains and blocked pipes if they are flushed down the drain. Use a mesh sieve or a paper towel to filter the grounds out of the press, and then put them in the usual garbage disposal.
What Can You Do with Leftover Coffee Grounds?
You can make use of your coffee grounds rather than throwing them in the garbage.
- Add coffee grounds to your compost pile to make fertilizer. Coffee grounds are beneficial to soil and plant growth as they contain nutrients and minerals such as nitrogen, calcium, iron and magnesium.
- Mix with coconut oil or water to make your own coffee body scrub.
How Do I Clean My French Press Properly?
Cleaning your French press thoroughly in-between uses will prevent grounds getting stuck in the filter and residue building up.
- Take apart the French press and unscrew the filter.
- Rinse with hot water and dish soap to remove all loose grounds.
- Dispose of coffee grounds.
- Fill beaker with hot water and plunge down a couple of times.
What Coffees Can I Make in a French Press?
You can use a French press to make any kind of coffee by adding any type of coffee bean, ground coarsely, and steeping.
- Americano
- Flat white
- Black
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Espresso
- Instant
Does French Press Coffee Taste Better?
French press coffee tastes incredible as it has such a strong and rich flavor. This is due to the freshly roasted, freshly ground beans being steeped for around 4 minutes to extract all the aromas and flavors. You can leave the beans to saturate for a longer or shorter time to meet your taste preferences and create your perfect brew.
Why Does My French Press Coffee Taste Bitter?
- The beans have been ground too finely, causing overextraction of the flavor and sediment in the water.
- The coffee has been brewed for too long.
- The French press is not clean and leftover residue, grounds and oil are leaving a bitter taste.
- The roast you are using is too dark.
- The beans have gone stale.
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.