How Do You Make French Press Coffee?
I talk with a lot of coffee drinkers, and many of them are confused or even apprehensive about making French press coffee. I think that's partly because it's much more hands-on than brewing auto-drip coffee.
And it might have to do with French being in the name. It seems more mysterious - and probably a little pretentious. But once you learn a few simple steps, it's honestly one of the easiest ways to brew coffee.
Let's look at how to make coffee in a French press. Plus, I have some tips for making the brewing process easier. And I also answer the most common questions about making coffee in a press pot.
How To Brew French Press Coffee
There are 6 steps to making coffee in a French press. This might sound like a lot, but it's really only a few simple actions. Before we get brewing, you are going to need the following:
- French Press - You can't make French press coffee unless you have one. In some areas, it is called a press-pot. Also, you need to know how many ounces or liters your pot is.
- Kettle - I use an electric kettle, but a stove-top model works just as well.
- Fresh Roasted Coffee - You should never make coffee in a press pot with old or pre-ground coffee. Old coffee will taste stale, and pre-ground coffee is too fine, which can make the coffee overly bitter.
- Scale - You need to measure out the coffee beans to get the best flavor. Too little and it'll be weak, too much and it's overly bold and bitter.
- Coffee Grinder - In my opinion, burr grinders are the best because of their consistent grind size. I have another article that explains the different [types of coffee grinders](link to grinder article).
Once you have these items handy, it's time to brew.
1. Measure And Heat The Water
Check the volume of your press pot to get an idea of how much water you need. I always add two extra ounces for pre-heating the coffee press later.
Ideally, you should use filtered water for the best flavor. But unless your tap water tastes really bad, there is no reason to use expensive bottled water. A fridge filter is fine.
Use an electric or stovetop kettle to heat the water to 205° F or 96° C. This is the perfect temperature to develop the coffee flavor without burning it.
If you cannot control the water temperature in your kettle, bring it to a boil, then take it off the heat and wait 30 seconds before pouring.
2. Weigh And Grind The Coffee
While the water is heating up, weigh out the coffee beans on your kitchen scale. For a 1-liter or 34-ounce press pot, I like to use 68 grams or 2.4 ounces of coffee beans.
See the table below for recommended coffee to water ratios and amount of coffee grounds you need for any size press pot.
Then grind the beans using a coarse setting on your burr grinder. Grind settings vary from model to model, but this is usually one to two steps down from the most coarse setting.
If you want to know more about grinding coffee, I have an article that explains why and [how to get the perfect coffee grind size](coffee grinding article) for any brewing method.
3. Pre-Heat The Coffee Press
With the water and grounds ready, it's almost time to brew. But you should preheat your press pot before brewing.
Even at room temperature, the press is too cool. When you add the coffee and water, the water temperature will fall well below 205° F or 96° C. It will still brew coffee, but you won't get the best flavor out of the beans.
So, pour in 1 or 2 ounces of water and swirl it around in the pot for 5 to 10 seconds. Then, pour the hot water out into a mug or two.
This will preheat them while your coffee is brewing. It’s not absolutely necessary, but it will keep your coffee hot a little longer.
4. Add The Grounds And Water
Now, let's make some coffee! Pour in the coffee grounds, followed by about one-quarter of the total water.
Swirl the French press around to mix the water and coffee thoroughly. You want all of the grounds wet for the best flavor extraction. It’s pretty hot, so be careful not to splash, but don't be afraid to create a decent whirlpool.
Then, slowly pour in the rest of the water. Going slow will prevent splashing and keep the coffee from foaming up. Once the pot is full, put on the lid.
5. Let The Coffee Steep
Now it's time to let the coffee steep or brew. During this time, the water extracts the flavors - and the caffeine - from the grounds.
As soon as you put the lid on, start a timer for 4 to 5 minutes. The exact time depends on the roast and style of coffee, the grind size, and how mild or bold you prefer your coffee.
If you are new to brewing coffee with a press pot or using new coffee beans for the first time, finding the right time may take some trial and error.
If you like mild coffees, I suggest starting around the 4-minute mark. If you like your coffee strong and bold, go with 5. Then, make little adjustments from there.
6. Press And Pour
Finally, it's time to press and pour. But don't rush to press the plunger down. This will rough up the coffee and release harsh flavors.
Instead, use a firm, steady pressure. Depending on the size of your pot, it should take between 30 and 60 seconds to press the plunger down.
Even after pressing your coffee, it will continue to brew in the pot. So don't be surprised if the second cup is stronger than the first. Finding the right grind size and brewing time will minimize harsh or bitter flavors.
How Long Does It Take To Make French Press Coffee?
Brewing press pot coffee usually takes 4 to 5 minutes. But the entire process of making coffee in a French-style press pot usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how long it takes:
- 3 to 5 minutes - Measuring and heating water
- 1 to 2 minutes - Weighing and grinding beans, which can overlap with the water heating step
- 1 to 2 minutes - Preheating the pot and mixing the water and coffee
- 4 to 5 minutes - Brewing the coffee inside the press pot
- 1 to 2 minutes - Pressing and pouring the coffee
Assuming you grind the beans while the water is coming to a boil, the total time is 9 to 14 minutes. Even if you don't multitask, it's only another minute or two longer.
That's not much longer than auto-drip coffee, and the flavor is so much better. I have nothing against auto-drip coffee, but it's basically the golden arches of hamburgers. It's fine to drink, but you will definitely notice the difference in flavor when you make press pot coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Press Pot Coffee
Why Is It Called A French Press?
Although it goes by many different names, we call it a French press coffee pot because two Frenchmen originally designed it.
Jacques-Victor Delforge and Henri-Otto Mayer patented the forerunner to the modern press pot in 1852. The Frenchman Marcel-Pierre Paquet dit Jolbert improved the design in 1924.
Both designs featured a metal screen attached to a plunger that pressed the coffee grounds out of the steeping water.
Other designers and manufacturers improve the form and function of the pot over time. With the exception of looks, the modern press pot has mostly been the same since the 1960s.
Most of North America and the United Kingdom call it a French coffee press to honor the original designers. In France, it is called the cafetière à piston, while it is called a coffee press in other parts of Europe.
What Water Temperature Is Best For Brewing Coffee In A French Press?
205° F or 96° C is the perfect temperature for making coffee in a press pot. But that doesn't mean you can't brew at other temperatures.
A degree to two higher will extract flavor faster, which can shorten the total brew time. It usually makes coffee stronger and more bitter. Whereas brewing a little cooler will give you a more mild flavor.
But that also doesn't mean you need to obsess about the temperature. Unless you have a trained coffee palate, it's hard to taste the difference between the same coffee brewed at 204° F and 206° F.
How Much Coffee Do You Need For A French Press?
When it comes to how much coffee you need, I recommend a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water for French press pots.
But I have a hard enough time doing math when I'm wide awake, let alone when I'm trying to make a press pot in the morning.
Instead of coffee ratios, here is how much grounds you need depending on the size of your French press and how strong you like your coffee
[Insert Coffee grounds table] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xSyKPJWoThwTuz0V7TcK5qMUZR6DzNUCyQv9w9UEwEQ/edit?usp=sharing
But these are only the average amount of coffee you should use. And they don't take into account the roast or flavor of the bean. To get the best flavor, you might need to use more beans for certain coffees and less for others.
What Is The Best Grind Size For French Press Coffee?
You should always use a coarse grind for French press coffee. The grounds should look like coarse sea salt. This will produce the best-tasting coffee and help prevent grounds from getting into your cup.
But what setting is that on your grinder? Well, it depends. Some grinders have 6 or 7 settings, while others have 30 or more. The manual for your grinder will usually have a recommended grind setting for any type of coffee.
Alternatively, you can grind some coffee. I like to start with the grinder set around 80% coarse. Take out your phone and multiply the number of settings you have by 0.8. Then, round up or down to the nearest even number.
So, if you have 32 settings, 32 times 0.8 is 25.6, which rounds to 26. And if you only have 6 settings, 6 times 0.8 is 4.8, which rounds to 5.
Does this guarantee the best grind for your French press? No, but it should get you close. From there, make minor adjustments until you get a consistent coffee flavor you enjoy.
What Is The Best Coffee For A French Press Maker?
We are obsessed with "the best." Just whip out your phone and you can find the best of anything and everything. So, what is the best coffee for French press pots? Well, it's whatever coffee you enjoy the most.
Get Fresh Beans Perfect For French Press Coffee
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