How to Make Coffee with a French Press: Simple Steps

If you’ve ever wanted a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee without fussing over complicated gear, the French press might be your answer. But while it looks basic—just a glass cylinder with a plunger—there’s more to it than tossing in coffee and hot water. Getting it right means understanding grind size, timing, water temperature, and how these factors work together to shape your brew.

To brew with a French press, use 20 grams of medium-to-dark roasted coffee, ground to a coarse size like coarse sugar or EK43 setting 10.5 / hand grinder 26. Add near-boiling water (around 90°C), stir after 40 seconds, steep for 4 minutes total, then press slowly and pour immediately. That’s the quick formula—but every step matters.

What Is a French Press and Why Use It?

The French press, or cafetière, is one of the simplest and most forgiving coffee brewers around. It’s a glass or metal cylinder fitted with a plunger and metal mesh filter. Unlike pour-over or espresso machines, it uses full immersion: coffee grounds sit in hot water for several minutes, extracting flavor evenly through soaking rather than dripping or pressure.

This method is ideal for showcasing the deep, bold flavors of medium-to-dark roasted coffee. Because the metal filter lets more coffee oils and fine particles into the cup, the result is richer, heavier, and often more textured than filtered coffee. It’s also very hands-off once you get the basics down.

Why French Press Coffee Tastes Different

French press coffee feels thicker and more robust because the metal filter doesn’t block coffee oils or tiny suspended particles. That gives you a heavier mouthfeel and more body, but also means more sediment in the cup. The immersion style also extracts compounds steadily over time, emphasizing sweetness and low acidity—making it great for darker roasts.

However, if you use too fine a grind or let it steep too long, you risk over-extraction, leading to bitterness and a sludgy cup. The key is balance: coarse grind, controlled time, and proper pouring technique.

How to Use a French Press: Step-by-Step

Here’s the exact method used by experienced brewers, based on FrontStreet Coffee’s recommendations:

• Step 1: Remove the plunger and filter from the French press.
• Step 2: Add 20 grams of freshly roasted, medium-to-dark coffee beans, ground to a coarse size (like coarse sugar). For reference, that’s EK43 setting 10.5 or a hand grinder at 26.
• Step 3: Start your timer and slowly pour hot water—not boiling—over the coffee grounds. Aim for about 300ml (1:15 brew ratio, or 15 parts water to 1 part coffee).
• Step 4: Don’t fill the press to the brim. Stop pouring when the water level is about half a centimeter below the bottom of the handle. Make sure all the coffee is saturated.
• Step 5: Let the coffee bloom and extract for 40 seconds. No need to stir yet.
• Step 6: At 40 seconds, give the coffee a quick stir with a spoon to ensure even saturation.
• Step 7: After stirring, you’ll notice a layer of light brown foam forming on the surface—that’s normal.
• Step 8: Place the lid gently on the French press, keeping the plunger up. Let it steep for another full minute (total brew time now 1 minute 40 seconds).
• Step 9: At the 4-minute mark, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Keep the descent smooth to avoid channelling or pushing fines through the filter.
• Step 10: Pour the coffee immediately into cups to avoid over-extraction from sitting on the grounds.

That’s it. In under five minutes, you’ve made a full-immersion cup with bold flavors and natural body.

Grind Size, Water Temperature & Ratios Explained

Many factors influence how your French press coffee turns out. Here’s what FrontStreet Coffee highlights as key variables:

• Grind Size: Use a coarse grind similar to coarse sugar. On an EK43 grinder, that’s setting 10.5; on a hand grinder, aim for 26. A finer grind can let coffee particles pass through the metal filter, creating a muddy cup.
• Brew Ratio: A standard starting point is 1:15 — 20 grams of coffee to 300 grams (milliliters) of water. This yields a strong, balanced cup. Adjust to taste from there.
• Water Temperature: Ideal brewing temperature is around 90°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, let boiled water sit for 2–3 minutes before pouring. Slightly higher temps can help with extraction for immersion brewing.
• Steeping Time: Total brew time should be around 4 minutes. This includes a 40-second initial soak, a 20-second stir, and a 1-minute rest before pressing. Going longer than 4–5 minutes risks bitterness.

These variables are interconnected, so small tweaks can lead to noticeable changes in flavor.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press, FrontStreet Coffee recommends the PWN Golden Mandheling, a medium-to-dark roasted single origin from Indonesia with bold notes of spice, caramel, and dark chocolate. Also try the Strawberry Candy Espresso, a blend of Costa Rican honey-processed and Panamanian Geisha beans offering floral, berry, and candy-like aromas—especially nice with milk. Both beans develop rich texture and sweetness under full immersion. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.