If you're new to brewing real coffee, start with a French press. It's affordable, needs no electricity or paper filters, and makes a rich, full-bodied cup with very little skill. In this guide you'll learn exactly how to use one, with the right ratio, grind and timing.
What You Need
- A French press: a heat-resistant glass French press or a double-wall stainless steel French press. Steel keeps coffee hot longer and won't break.
- Coarsely ground coffee. For the best taste, grind fresh with a hand coffee grinder.
- Hot water just off the boil.
- A spoon and a timer (your phone works).
The Right French Press Ratio
A good starting point is 1 gram of coffee for every 15 ml of water (1:15).
- 1 mug (about 300 ml): 20 g coffee, roughly 3 level tablespoons.
- 2 mugs (about 600 ml): 40 g coffee, roughly 6 level tablespoons.
Like it stronger? Use 1:12. Lighter? Use 1:17.
The Right Grind Size
French press coffee needs a coarse grind, with pieces about the size of sea salt or breadcrumbs. If the grind is too fine:
- the coffee tastes bitter (over-extracted),
- the plunger becomes hard to press, and
- the cup has a lot of sludge at the bottom.
How to Make French Press Coffee: Step by Step
- Heat the water. Bring it to a boil, then let it rest for about 30 seconds. Water at around 93–96°C is ideal. Boiling water can scorch the coffee.
- Warm the press. Rinse it with hot water and pour that water away. This keeps your coffee hot.
- Add the coffee. Put the coarse ground coffee in the empty press.
- Bloom (30 seconds). Pour in just enough water to wet all the coffee, about twice the coffee's weight, and wait 30 seconds. This releases gas and gives a better flavour.
- Add the rest of the water and stir gently so all the coffee is wet.
- Put the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up, and steep for 4 minutes.
- Press slowly. Push the plunger down gently and evenly, over about 20–30 seconds.
- Pour immediately. Don't leave coffee sitting in the press. It keeps brewing and turns bitter. Pour it all into cups or a flask.
Common French Press Mistakes
- Using fine (espresso) powder: causes bitter, muddy coffee. Always use a coarse grind.
- Leaving coffee in the press: pour it out as soon as you've pressed.
- Pressing hard and fast: pushes fine particles into your cup. Press slowly.
- Stale coffee: keep coffee in an airtight container away from heat and humidity.
- Not cleaning the mesh filter: old oils trapped in the mesh make coffee taste rancid. Take it apart and rinse it regularly.
More Ways to Use Your French Press
- Cold brew: steep coarse coffee in cold water in the fridge for 12–18 hours. See our cold coffee recipes.
- Frothed milk: pour warm milk into a clean press and pump the plunger up and down quickly for 20–30 seconds to make foam for a homemade cappuccino.
- Tea: a French press also works well for loose-leaf tea.
Which Coffee Is Best for French Press?
Medium to dark roasts give the classic rich, chocolatey French press cup. For the best results, buy whole beans like Epifin Signature Blend and grind them coarsely just before brewing. Explore our full coffee collection, or read more about other methods in the art and science of coffee brewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular ground coffee in a French press?
You can, but most pre-ground coffee is ground for moka pots or filters, which is finer than ideal. Expect a slightly stronger, muddier cup, and try shortening the steep time to 3 minutes.
How long should French press coffee steep?
4 minutes is the standard. Taste it and adjust between 3 and 5 minutes.
Is French press coffee stronger?
It has more body and texture than filter coffee, because the metal mesh lets natural oils through. Strength depends mostly on your ratio.
Buy a French Press in Bangladesh
Shop our glass French press, the stainless steel French press and other coffee makers.
At Coffee Kahf you can pay with cash on delivery or bKash. We deliver within 24 hours in Dhaka and in 2–3 days anywhere in Bangladesh, for ৳70 inside Dhaka and ৳150 outside Dhaka.
