How To Use A French Press - Coffee Recipe

There’s a point in everyone’s coffee journey where we want the maximum experience out of the coffee that we enjoy. Part of the experience is finding out how exactly brewing methods change the cup dynamics of their favorite coffees. French Press is one of the staple brewing methods that everyone ought to be familiar with and know how to make properly.

What is French Press?

French Press is a popular (and long-standing) brewing method enjoyed all over the world. It has its raving fans and its ardent detractors. The bold flavors produced by this brewing method have created a polarized set of opinions about it.

French Press uses a mesh filter that retains coffee oils, resulting in a bold and complex taste profile that can be savored in every sip. Whether you prefer French Press, drip, pour-over, or espresso, mastering the fundamentals of French Press can take your coffee-making skills to the next level.

Benefits of Using a French Press

• Full-Bodied Flavor: The French press allows for a longer steeping time, resulting in a more robust and full-bodied flavor compared to traditional coffee makers.
• Control Over Brewing Process: With a French press, you have complete control over the brewing process, including the water temperature and steeping time.
• Versatile: French presses can be used to make various types of coffee, such as espresso, cappuccino, and cold brew.

Step-by-step Directions for Making French Press Coffee

Making French Press is quite easy as the magic happens with the Press itself. Note that French Presses come in different sizes, single serving, double serving, and larger. The below instructions are for making a single cup of coffee using a French Press.

French Press Recipe

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make French press coffee:

• Start by heating your water slightly under boiling temperature, around 93 degrees Celcius.
• While the water is heating, grind your desired amount of coffee beans. A general rule of thumb is to use about 25 grams of coffee for 425 milliliters of water. Ratio of 1:17
• Once the water is heated, pour a small amount into the French press to preheat or temper the press. Once the press is warmed, discard the water.
• Place the coffee grounds into the French press.
• Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, making sure to wet all of the grounds.
• Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time to your personal preference.
• After 4 minutes, take spoons and remove the grounds floating on the top.
• Press the plunger down slowly to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.
• Pour the brewed coffee into your mug and enjoy!

The Perfect Coffee Ratio For a French Press

For the perfect French Press coffee, it's all about personal taste. You can change the coffee's strength by adjusting the ratio of coffee to water. A good place to start is the Specialty Coffee Association golden ratio of 1 gram of coffee to 17 grams of water for optimal immersion brewing. If you prefer your coffee stronger, adjust the ratio to 1:15.

Coffee Grind Size For French Press

French press coffee is best made using a coarse grind to avoid the grounds passing through the press's steel mesh filter. This coarse grind necessitates a longer brewing time, typically around 4 minutes, to allow the hot water to thoroughly extract the flavors. While a medium-coarse grind and a 3:00 brewing time are preferred by some. 

What Coffee is Best with French Press

The French Press brewing method is often paired with medium to dark-roast coffee beans to create a bold and intense flavor profile. Those who prefer a stronger cup of coffee usually opt for darker roasts. However, the best coffee for French press brewing ultimately depends on individual taste and experience.

FAQ About French Press

There are so many aspects to brewing coffee that we’ve hardly scratched the surface of what’s possible with French Press. Here are answers to other common questions about this brewing method that people are asking us.

Does temperature matter for French Press?

The temperature plays a crucial role in brewing French press coffee. The optimal temperature is 200°F (93°C), slightly lower than boiling point. If the water is too hot, it can result in a bitter taste, while too cool water can lead to weak, under-extracted coffee.

Why does French Press taste better than drip?

There are a few reasons why some people believe that French press coffee tastes better than drip coffee:

1. Full immersion brewing: French press brewing involves fully immersing the coffee grounds in water, which allows all the flavors to be extracted from the beans. This can result in a full-bodied, richly flavored coffee.
2. Coarse coffee grounds: French press brewing typically uses a coarser grind of coffee than drip brewing, which can result in a less bitter taste.
3. Control over brewing time: With a French press, you have complete control over the brewing time, which allows you to adjust the strength of your coffee to your personal preference.
4. No paper filters: French press brewing does not use paper filters, which means that the coffee oils and flavors are not filtered out of the final brew. This can result in a more flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee.

How many times can you reuse coffee grounds with French Press?

It is universally recommended to not reuse coffee grounds in a French Press and in general. It is best to use fresh coffee grounds for each batch of French Press coffee.

If you are looking for a little less of a bold final cup, you can try these things instead:

1.    Cut your cup of coffee with 10% of hot water to dilute the coffee down.

2.   Try adjusting your brew water to coffee grounds ratio (try using less coffee grounds).

3.   Adjust the coarseness of your grounds (coarser would create less extraction).

4.   Switch brewing methods to a pour-over or drip.

Your Turn to Enjoy a Cup

French press brewing is a popular and versatile coffee brewing method that allows for complete control over the variables of bean type, grind size, brewing time, and water temperature. With practice and experimentation, you can create a customized cup of coffee that suits your taste preferences.