The French Press is a simple yet highly effective brewing method, offering a full-bodied, rich cup of coffee. Its immersion brewing technique allows for maximum flavor extraction, making it ideal for coffee lovers who enjoy a deeper, more robust cup.
☕ Who's it for?
The French Press is perfect for those who appreciate bold, rich coffee with a full body. If you enjoy a more intense cup, or you’re someone who wants an easy-to-use manual brewing method that’s also great for larger servings, the French Press is for you.
📋 What You'll Need
- Freshly Roasted FreeForm Coffee
- French Press
- Burr Grinder
- Gram Scale or Measuring Scoop
- Filtered Water
- Timer
📖 Step-by-Step Recipe
- Heat Water: Bring about 0.75L (750g) of filtered water to 200°F (just below boiling).
- Grind Coffee: Grind 50g of coffee on a coarse setting. The grounds should resemble coarse sea salt. If you’re measuring by volume, use about 8 tablespoons.
- Add Coffee: Place the ground coffee into the French Press.
- Pour Water: Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, starting the timer as you pour. Make sure all the grounds are saturated. Give the mixture a gentle stir with a spoon or stir stick.
- Bloom: Let the coffee “bloom” for about 30 seconds, then give it a gentle stir to break the crust formed by the grounds at the top.
- Steep: Place the lid on the French Press (without pressing the plunger down) and let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
- Plunge: After 4 minutes, slowly and steadily press the plunger down. The key is to apply gentle, even pressure.
- Serve: Once you’ve pressed the plunger, pour the coffee immediately to prevent over-extraction and enjoy!
🔑 Key Notes
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio: We recommend using a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio (1g of coffee for every 15g of water). Feel free to adjust this ratio to suit your taste.
- Grind Size: A coarse grind is essential for French Press to prevent over-extraction and bitterness. If your brew is too bitter, try a coarser grind. If it’s too weak, grind finer.
- Grind Fresh: Grinding fresh is key to achieving the best flavor. If you don’t have a grinder, check out our burr grinders.
- Use a Scale: For consistency, using a gram scale is recommended to measure both coffee and water.
- Filtered Water: Using filtered water helps improve the taste and clarity of your coffee.
⚠️ Troubleshooting & Tips
- Too Bitter? Try using a coarser grind or reducing your brew time.
- Too Weak? Use a finer grind or add a bit more coffee next time.
- Avoid Over-Extraction: Pour your brewed coffee immediately after pressing to avoid bitterness.
- Experiment: Adjust the ratio, grind, and steep time to find your ideal cup.
👍 Happy Brewing!
The French Press is a classic, simple method for brewing a rich, full-bodied cup. With freshly ground coffee and a few simple techniques, you’ll enjoy a consistently great brew every time.