French Press Guide: Simple Yet Flawless

What is a French Press?

The French Press (also known as a cafetière or press pot) is an immersion brewing device patented in 1929 by Italian designer Attilio Calimani. Its simple design, ease of use, and rich-bodied cups make it popular among both beginners and experienced coffee lovers.

What sets the French Press apart is its metal filter. Unlike paper filters, it does not absorb oils — resulting in a fuller-bodied, creamier, and more aromatic cup. In specialty coffee, this method excels particularly with chocolate and nutty profiles.

What You Need

• French Press (350ml or 1L)
• Coarsely ground fresh coffee
• Hot water (93-96°C)
• Scale and timer
• Stirring spoon

Step-by-Step French Press Brewing

1. Prepare the Coffee

Grind 17g of coffee coarse (sea salt consistency). Pre-heat the French Press with hot water and discard.

2. Add the Coffee

Place the ground coffee in the French Press. Shake gently to level.

3. Pour the Water — 0:00

Pour 250ml of water (93-96°C) evenly over the coffee. Ensure all grounds are saturated.

4. Stir — 0:30

After 30 seconds, stir gently with a spoon. This ensures any dry grounds on the surface make contact with water.

5. Cover and Wait — 0:30-4:00

Place the lid with the plunger up. Wait 4 minutes. Immersion extraction occurs during this time.

6. Press and Serve — 4:00

Push the plunger down slowly with even pressure. Don't rush — fast pressing stirs up sediment. Serve immediately. Coffee left in the French Press will over-extract.

Critical Tips

• Coarse grind is essential. Fine grounds pass through the metal filter, creating a muddy, bitter cup.
• Don't exceed 4 minutes. Transfer immediately to another vessel after pressing.
• Water temperature: 93-96°C. Slightly hotter than V60, because immersion has lower extraction efficiency.
• Ratio: 1:14.7 (17g:250ml). A slightly stronger ratio is recommended for French Press.

Which Coffee Works Best?

French Press performs best with medium and dark roast coffees. Brazilian coffees reveal their chocolate and hazelnut notes perfectly. Colombian coffee offers caramel sweetness and a rich body.

You can also use a French Press for cold brew: add 250ml room-temperature water to 17g coarse-ground coffee, refrigerate for 12-16 hours, and press. Check our cold brew bean recommendations.

Browse our French Press ground coffees to start brewing. Explore all our brewing guides.