Who Invented the French Press Coffee Maker

Ever wondered who really invented the French press — and why it took so long to catch on? Despite France’s early love for coffee innovation, the iconic plunger device we know today didn’t emerge from France at all. Its invention, evolution, and global adoption involved patents, tweaks, and a slow burn across Europe and beyond. Let’s dig into the real origins of your favorite simple coffee maker.

The French press — or cafetière — was first patented in 1852 by a French metalworker and merchant as a “piston-filter coffee device.” But the design most people know today, with a spring-loaded filter, wasn’t refined until 1935 by an Italian company. It took decades more for it to gain real popularity, especially in the United States.

The First Patent: 1852 Piston Filter

Long before the term “French press” entered common usage, a French artisan and businessman filed a joint patent in March 1852 for what they called a “piston-filter coffee device.” This early version featured a metal cylinder attached to a rod with holes at the bottom, lined with felt or flannel filters at both ends. By pushing and pulling the rod, users could filter coffee directly inside the container. The inventors claimed: “By pressing the rod down, the filtered coffee remains above, clean and clear.” This was arguably the first mechanical precursor to the modern French press — though it lacked the spring and simplicity of later models.

The Milan Refinement: 1935 Spring-Loaded Design

Although the 1852 patent existed, the French press didn’t gain traction until decades later. In the late 1920s or early 1930s, a Milan-based company registered a modified version of the piston coffee device. By 1935, they had perfected the design: adding a spring-loaded disk at the bottom of the piston. This innovation ensured the filter stayed flat against the bottom of the brewing chamber, creating a more even and reliable extraction. This refined mechanism formed the basis of what we now recognize as the French press.

Why It’s Called a ‘French Press’

Curiously, the device became globally known as the “French press” despite its key refinements happening in Italy. The term “French press” (or “French Pressure”) was used to describe the brewing method itself by the 1950s in Europe. Yet in the United States, adoption was slow. Early American references included “cafetière” (the UK term) or “French piston-type coffee maker.” Notably, the Oxford English Dictionary’s first entry for “French press” referred not to coffee, but to a bicep exercise.

How the French Press Took Off — Eventually

It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that the French press gained real ground among coffee enthusiasts. In 1993, New York Times food writer Florence Fabricant highlighted the “French pressing method” as a favorite among coffee connoisseurs. But she also noted a common flaw: “The coffee can sometimes turn out sludgy.” That criticism still resonates with those who use too fine a grind or over-brew their coffee.

How to Brew With a French Press: FrontStreet’s Guide

Using a French press is simple but nuanced. It’s a full-immersion brewing method with a metal mesh filter, meaning coffee grounds steep directly in hot water. This produces a richer, fuller-bodied cup with more oils — but also more sediment if not managed well. Here’s how FrontStreet Coffee recommends dialing it in for best results.

Choose Your Coffee

Since French press uses extended steeping, medium to dark roasts tend to perform better. Light roasts can taste overly acidic or grassy. FrontStreet’s Strawberry Candy Espresso (aGeisha and honey-processed Costa Rica and Panama blend) offers floral, fruity notes with milk, while their PWN Golden Mandheling brings spice, caramel, and dark chocolate in black coffee.

Grind Size

Use a coarse grind, similar to coarse sugar or small gravel. For the EK43s electric grinder, that’s setting 10.5; for hand grinders, around 26. A finer grind risks letting coffee particles through the mesh, creating sludge.

Brew Ratio

Start with 1:15 — 15 grams of coffee to 225 grams (225ml) of water. Adjust up or down based on taste preference. This yields a strong, balanced brew around 1.1–1.2% TDS.

Water Temperature

Let boiled water cool for 2–3 minutes, aiming for around 90°C. For more precision, use a thermometer or temperature-controlled kettle. Slightly higher temps can help improve extraction without over-brewing.

Brew Time

Steep for 4 minutes as a starting point. Darker roasts may need only 3–4 minutes; lighter roasts can go up to 5, but watch for bitterness. Stir gently after pouring water, then place the plunger on top without pressing down during steeping.

The Press

After 4 minutes, slowly press the plunger down. Pour the coffee out immediately to avoid over-extraction from the settled grounds. Enjoy your rich, full-bodied cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the French press first invented?

The original piston-filter coffee device was patented in France in March 1852. It featured a metal cylinder and flannel filters, operated by a pull rod, but lacked the spring and refined design of later versions.

Where did the modern French press design come from?

The modern design with a spring-loaded piston was refined by a Milan-based company and patented in 1935. This version kept the filter flat against the brew chamber for more even extraction.

Why is it called a French press if it was refined in Italy?

The name “French press” originated from France’s early experiments with coffee brewing devices, even though the key 1935 improvements happened in Italy. The term stuck in English-speaking countries regardless of origin.

What’s the best grind size for a French press?

Use a coarse grind, similar to gravel or coarse sugar. On an EK43s grinder, that’s around 10.5; for hand grinders, about 26. Finer grinds risk letting coffee particles through the mesh, causing sludge.

How long should you brew coffee in a French press?

FrontStreet Coffee recommends starting with 4 minutes for medium to dark roasts. Steep time can range from 3 to 5 minutes depending on roast level, but longer times can lead to bitterness.

Can you use light roast coffee in a French press?

You can, but light roasts often taste better with pour-over or other methods. In a French press, they can taste overly bright or grassy due to extended steeping. Medium to dark roasts bring out better body and balance.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press, try FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling — a medium-dark roast with bold spice, caramel, and dark chocolate notes, perfect for a rich, full-bodied cup. Or explore Strawberry Candy Espresso, aGeisha-blend with floral and fruity tones that work well with milk. Both benefit from the French press’s immersive brewing style, highlighting sweetness and texture. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.