French Press Brewing Guide

The French Press is a classic, forgiving brewer that consistently delivers a rich, full-bodied cup. Simple tweaks to grind, ratio, and steep time yield excellent results, whether solo or for a group.

This recipe produces a balanced, aromatic cup with minimal fuss and reliable results.

What You Need

• French Press (1 L / 34 oz)
• Coffee: 47 g coarse grind (sea salt consistency)
• Water: 750g at 205°F (30 seconds off boil)
• Burr grinder
• Kettle
• Digital scale
• Stirring utensil
• Mug

Step-by-Step Method

1. Heat your water. Bring water to 205°F (or wait 30 seconds off boil).
2. Preheat the French Press. Fill it with hot water.
3. Weigh and grind your coffee. Measure 47 g of coffee and grind to a coarse (sea salt) consistency.
4. Set up to brew. Discard the hot water from the preheat step. Place the French Press on the scale, add the ground coffee, and tare the scale.
5. Start the brew. Start the timer and pour 750 g in. Remove the press from the scale.
6. Stir. Stir to fully saturate the grounds and break up any clumps.
7. Steep. Place the lid on top with the plunger raised and let it steep for 4:00.
8. Press and serve. At 4:00, press the plunger down slowly and steadily with even pressure. Pour immediately into mugs or a carafe—do not let the coffee sit on the grounds.

Why This Recipe Works

The French Press uses full immersion followed by simple filtration, allowing natural oils and deeper flavors to stay in the cup. This creates the signature rich body and mouthfeel that many other methods filter out. A coarse grind and controlled steep time make the method forgiving and highly repeatable at home.

Dialing In and Troubleshooting Your Brew

Change only one variable at a time to see its effects. Adjust grind, coffee amount, water temperature, or steep time as needed. Use the table to guide adjustments.