French press coffee can taste bad for a few different reasons, so once you know what you’re doing wrong, it will be easier to make a great-tasting cup of coffee. The most common reason that french press coffee tastes bad is that it’s not being steeped for long enough. It may also taste bad if the ratio is wrong or the water temperature isn’t precise.
There is a lot of hype for french press coffee because it is supposed to taste really good. However, some people find that their french press coffee tastes awful. On this page, we’re going to discuss what you are doing wrong when using the french press. Keep reading to learn how to make your french press coffee good.
How Come My French Press Coffee Doesn’t Taste Good?
French press coffee is very easy to make, but it won’t taste good if you don’t follow the steps properly. One of the ways to tell what you are doing wrong is to determine why the coffee tastes bad in the first place.
If it is too weak, there is a good chance that you are not steeping it long enough for the coffee to extract. Yet, if your coffee tastes burnt, you may have used water that is too hot for the french press.
How Long Should French Press Coffee Steep?
Always allow your french press coffee to steep for 4 to 5 minutes. This is the perfect time frame for the coffee extraction process to take place, providing you with a cup of coffee that has full-body flavor.
Additionally, you could have awful-tasting coffee if you allow it to over-extract. If the coffee tastes too bitter, you may want to steep it for less time. This is why we recommend setting a timer when using the french press.
What Temperature Should the Water Be For French Press Coffee?
When making french press coffee, aim to use water that is 195 F (90.5 C) for the best flavor. Using water that has hit boiling point (212 F or 100 C) will end up burning the coffee grinds, which will taste really bad.
If the water you are using isn’t hot enough, the coffee will still brew but it won’t have such a bold flavor. This will leave the drinker thinking that french press coffee isn’t as good as people say.
What is the Ideal Ratio For Making French Press Coffee?
The key to making any type of coffee taste good is to get the right ratio of coffee grinds and water. For the french press, you should be using a ratio of 1:12, meaning 1 part coffee to 12 parts water.
Of course, we don’t expect you to measure out hot water with a spoon every time you want to make good french press coffee. A good measurement is to use 2 tbsp of coffee grinds with 6 ounces of water.
Am I Using the Right Roast in the French Press?
If your french press coffee is too weak but you’re following the directions properly, the problem could be the coffee blend you have chosen. Light roasts typically don’t turn out very well in the french press because there isn’t any oil in the coffee beans.
It is recommended to use medium or dark roasts because these coffee beans contain more natural oils. The coffee oils are what makes the french press coffee has such a delicious and bold flavor.
Am I Using the Right Grind in the French Press?
For your french press coffee to taste delicious, you need to use a coarse grind. This is because coarse-grind coffee is the perfect size for the immersion process and doesn’t over-extract.
Fine-grind coffee will over-extract while the coffee is steeping. Another reason fine grind coffee doesn’t taste good in a french press is that too many grinds escape the plunging process and end up in your cup.
Do People Enjoy French Press Coffee?
French press coffee is one of the most popular coffee-making methods because it is easier to make a full-flavor cup of coffee at home. One of the reasons why the french press makes coffee taste so good is because it doesn’t use paper filters, which are known to absorb oils and particles that are full of flavor.
If you are finding that your coffee-making methods result in a brew that is too mild or doesn’t have that earthy coffee kick, you may prefer coffee made in a french press. When you make french press coffee, little coffee particles will continue to percolate your drink so every sip you take has a bold flavor.
Why Does My French Press Coffee Taste Sour?
French press coffee can taste sour if it has been under-extracted. If you don’t use enough water in the french press, the coffee will end up under-extracted, which will have a sour and bitter taste.
This is why it’s important to get the right ratio of coffee to water. If it isn’t correct, the flavors of the beverage won’t be balanced.
Can I Make French Press Coffee Less Acidic?
If you notice that your french press coffee tastes too acidic, the problem is most likely the coffee beans you are using. This can happen if you are using a poor quality coffee bean or if the coffee beans are stale.
You may need to test out a few different coffee beans until you find one that impresses you in the french press. If you are not sure which one to choose, ask a local barista for their opinions.
Should French Press Coffe Have an Intense Taste?
French press coffee is known for having a very intense flavor because it fully extracts the coffee from the beans. This results in a strong cup of coffee that isn’t overpowering.
Coffee drinkers are able to pick up on more of the unique flavor notes from specialty beans when they use a french press coffee maker. While this method of making coffee is preferred by a lot of coffee drinkers, people who enjoy a mild brew are usually don’t enjoy 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.