The French press is one of the easiest ways to make coffee, takes very little time, and delivers a richer, more full-bodied flavor than drip coffee makers. The method takes about 5 minutes and is usually a beginner's brewing method of choice. Use our easy French press brew method to perfect your craft and deliver cafe-level results.
How to use the French press brew method
Water temperature: 100° C/ 212° F
First, boil water in a stove-top or electric kettle. An electric kettle reduces the boil time dramatically and allows you to adjust the temperature, which is critical for removing the bitterness from dark roast brewing. Consider using filtered water for optimal flavor since the coffee picks up the water flavor and carries it into the final taste.
Coarse grind, 1:12 - 1:15 brew ratio
Next, grind Roast28 whole coffee beans on a coarse setting (a notch or two coarser for dark roasts to help extract them a little less). Start your French press brew using a 1:12 ratio, which means 1 part ground coffee to 12 parts water. For example, if you brew 30 grams of coffee (6 tablespoons), you should use approximately 360 grams of water (1 2/3 cups).
Note: Be sure to check the manufacturer settings for the recommended grind setting. Too coarse, and the coffee will be flat and weak; too fine and the result will be bitter and overpowering. (We use a Baratza Encore at setting 38 for all French press recipes that come with your coffee.)
Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Bloom coffee
Bloom pour: ~20 seconds
Bloom swell: ~40 seconds
Place freshly ground coffee into the French press, start your timer, and add half of the boiled water. After 1 minute, give the coffee a stir to break the top layer (crust) to recirculate the coffee and maximizes absorption. Add the remaining water and top with the lid, keeping the plunger up.
Brew for 4 minutes
The majority of the flavors are revealed in the first couple of minutes—waiting too long will start to introduce bitterness. After 4 minutes have passed from the first pour, press the plunger to the bottom. Pressing the plunger to the very bottom can stir the grounds back up so you can also press only to the top of the liquid for a cleaner cup.
Enjoy
The French press method is excellent to use when traveling, for serving guests, or as the foundation for our favorite coffee recipes. Using a French press is easy, environmentally friendly, and a few grounds can give your brew a little extra character. Slow down your medium or dark roast brewing method and enjoy the full-bodied taste of your coffee instead.
Experiment
There are so many factors that you can play with when brewing coffee with an French press. A coarser grind size requires a longer brew time and dark roast coffee can sometimes benefit from a decreased brew temp. Dial your grind size up a notch if grounds are getting stuck in your filter or when brewing dark roast coffee, which is more porous and releases flavors more easily.
Leave a comment below
Join the community and let us know what works best for you. Leave a comment with the French press brew method that you prefer below and be sure to include details (roast level, coffee flavor, etc.). We'll try your method and make adjustments to this article as we continue to experiment together.
