Coffee experts agree that using a French press to brew coffee is an amazing way to preserve the rich flavors and aromas of the coffee beans. However, using a French press coffee maker may seem intimidating to someone who typically opts for a classic drip coffee maker, or even exclusively buys their morning cup coffee on their way to work. Brewing a delicious French press cup of coffee is much easier than it may appear and should not be written off as too difficult, even for a novice.

How does a French Press coffee maker work?

A French press brews coffee by immersing the coffee grounds in hot water for several minutes and then separates the grounds from the coffee with a filter that is pressed down to the bottom of the French press. This steeping process allows the full bodied flavors in the coffee beans to really shine through because the French press does not extract any of the oils and sediment from the grounds which contribute to the flavor.

The process of making coffee with a French press is very simple, but can be confusing if you are new to using this tool. There are several useful tips that will help you avoid common mistakes and consistently get a great cup of coffee every time.

1. Choose the right French press

Like any piece of kitchenware on the market, French press coffee makers can range in price, style, and fancy adjectives to describe them. At the end of the day, most French press coffee makers are going to give you the same result when used correctly. The most important aspect to focus on is how tight the filter seal is. If you are looking to buy a French press, read a few customer reviews first to make sure no one has run into any glaring issues with the seal on the filter.

2. Grind the coffee just before use

Whole coffee beans keep their flavor longer than pre ground coffee from the store. In order to get the most flavorful cup of coffee, use fresh coffee beans and make sure to grind them just before brewing. This will help to preserve the flavor and give you the freshest tasting result in the end. If you are in the market for a good coffee grinder, look for a brand with multiple grind settings. That way, you can adjust how coarse the grain is depending on your personal preference. Many coffee lovers prefer burr grinders over blade grinders, because they keep the size of the coffee grounds consistent.

And if you know you won’t have time to grind your coffee every morning, try out a few store brands to see which flavor is the most appealing to you.

3. Use a coarse grind

The size of the coffee grounds will have a massive effect on how the brew will taste in the end. When using a French press, it is highly recommended that you use a coarse grind. Finer ground coffee will cause the brew to taste more bitter, and can lead to extra sediment floating around in the end because they can slip through the filter easily. If you do choose to grind your coffee so it is slightly finer, you will need to adjust the brew time to be shorter than needed for a coarse grind. This will help avoid over extraction while the coffee is steeping.

4. Use filtered water

If possible, use filtered water to brew your coffee. This is especially relevant if you live in an area with hard water (tap water with a high mineral count). Using filtered water will cause the coffee to come out tasting much cleaner than if you use unfiltered tap water.

5. Preheat the French press with boiled water before brewing.

Because French press coffee makers are not hooked up to an electricity source, it is up to you to make sure the temperature level is just right. Pour hot or boiling water into the French press before use and let it sit for several minutes to heat up the unit. This will help make sure your coffee comes out hot enough. If you really want to ensure that your coffee is piping hot, you can also preheat your mug by filling it with hot water while your coffee brews.

6. Weigh your coffee grounds

Because coffee grounds can vary in density regardless of their size, a volume measurement is not always going to be the most accurate way to decide how much coffee you need for your brew. Many experts recommend using a small scale to measure the amount of coffee needed. This will be the most accurate method and will allow you to know exactly how much coffee you are using for a consistently delicious cup of coffee every time.

7. Use the correct coffee to water ratio

The ratio of coffee grounds to water is very important and can vastly change how strong your coffee will taste. There are different opinions on exactly what that ratio should be, but the most common coffee to water ratio is between 1:13 and 1:16. This would be between 60-70 grams of coffee for every liter of water. You can always adjust this ratio later on if you are dissatisfied with the strength of your brew.

8. Use hot but not boiling water

Boiling water and pouring it immediately into the French press to brew can lead to an over extraction of the coffee grounds. If you are boiling water on the stove, let the boiling water sit for a few minutes until it is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit before pouring it over the grounds.

9. Wet the grounds before brewing

A more advanced tip for a flavorful roast is to dampen the coffee grounds for about 30 seconds before you start the brew. This will help to get rid of any excess carbon dioxide in the grounds which can affect how the coffee tastes. This process helps the coffee grounds to bloom. Once the thirty seconds are up, you can pour in the rest of the hot water.

10. Use a timer

You should avoid estimating how long your coffee is brewing for when using a French press. Use a timer on your phone or kitchen stove to keep track of exactly how long the coffee brews for. Most people recommend four minutes as the ideal brew time for French press coffee. Depending on your personal flavor preference, you can add more or less time for a stronger or weaker brew. Knowing the exact amount of time you brew your coffee for will help keep the flavor consistent every time you use the French press.

11. Avoid over stirring the coffee while it brews

Try not to interrupt the coffee too much as it brews in the hot water. Stirring the coffee throughout the brewing process around can disturb the extraction. Some people recommend giving the grounds a quick stir in the water about 30 seconds to a minute into the brew and then leaving it alone for the rest of the process.

12. Gently plunge

Once the brew is finished and ready to be pressed, make sure you are very gentle. There is no need to forcefully shove the plunger down. Slowly depress the plunger until it has reached the bottom. Once you do this your coffee is ready to serve!

13. Remove your coffee from the French press immediately

If you made several cups of coffee at once to get you through the morning, it is important to pour the coffee out of the French press and into a carafe immediately after brewing so it does not continue to extract. If you let the brew sit in the French press for too long, the coffee can become bitter from over extraction.

14. Always clean the French press after use

Make sure to clean your French press after every brew with hot soapy water. Any leftover residue or oils from a previous batch can affect the taste the next time you brew coffee. After a few uses you can soak all of the components of the French press in a water and white vinegar mixture to really clean out any hard to reach areas and ensure a clean French press.

15. Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe

At the end of the day, coffee preferences are extremely personal and might not fall into a “one size fits all” category. If you first try brewing coffee with a French press and aren’t totally satisfied with the flavor, don’t be afraid to try again. Try using different size grounds, more or less coffee, or brewing for a longer or shorter amount of time. After a few tries, you will begin to see how easily the flavor of the coffee can be affected by a few small tweaks to the recipe.

 

Whether you’re an expert at brewing all sorts of complicated coffee based drinks, or you’ve never made a pot of coffee on your own before, French press coffee is achievable for either party. With a little practice, and possibly some trial and error, you will be able to make your ideal cup of coffee right at home in no time.