Making French press coffee is simple once you get the coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, water temperature, and brewing time right. The method allows ground coffee to steep directly in hot water, producing a rich, full-bodied cup with more natural oils than paper-filtered coffee.
For a reliable starting point, use about 10 grams of coarsely ground coffee for every 180 ml (6 fl oz) of water. Use water between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C) and let the coffee brew for approximately 4 minutes before slowly pressing the plunger.
Best French Press Coffee Ratio
A good starting ratio is approximately 1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water. Starbucks recommends about 10 grams, or roughly 2 tablespoons, of ground coffee for every 180 ml of water.
The exact strength can be adjusted to your taste, but keeping a consistent ratio makes it easier to improve your coffee from one brew to the next.
| Water | Coffee |
| 180 ml (6 fl oz) | 10 g |
| 350 ml (12 fl oz) | About 20 g |
| 500 ml (17 fl oz) | About 28 g |
| 750 ml (25 fl oz) | About 42 g |
| 1 liter (34 fl oz) | About 55 g |
A kitchen scale gives the most consistent results because tablespoons can hold different amounts depending on the grind size and type of coffee.
How to Make French Press Coffee Step by Step
Start by heating fresh water and preheating the French press with a small amount of hot water. Empty the press, then add the required amount of coarsely ground coffee. Preheating helps keep the brewing temperature more stable.
Pour hot water evenly over the grounds, making sure all the coffee becomes wet. Gently stir once or twice, place the lid on top without pushing down the plunger, and allow the coffee to steep for about four minutes.
When the brewing time is complete, press the plunger down slowly and evenly. Pour the coffee into your cup soon after pressing rather than leaving it sitting on the grounds, as continued contact can change the flavor.
Best Grind Size for French Press Coffee
A coarse grind works best for French press coffee. The grounds should be noticeably larger than those typically used for drip coffee and should have a texture closer to coarse sea salt than fine powder.
Coffee that is ground too finely can pass through the metal filter and create excessive sediment. It also extracts faster, which may make the coffee taste bitter or harsh. If the grind is too coarse, however, the coffee may taste weak or under-extracted.
If possible, grind whole coffee beans shortly before brewing. Freshly ground coffee generally provides a stronger aroma and more noticeable flavor than coffee that has been ground for a long period.
How Long Should French Press Coffee Brew?
About four minutes is a good starting brewing time. Starbucks recommends approximately four minutes for French press coffee, which is also a commonly used brewing time among specialty coffee professionals.
Start timing once the water has been added to the grounds. After four minutes, slowly press the plunger and serve the coffee. Leaving brewed coffee in contact with the grounds for much longer can make the flavor stronger or more bitter.
If the coffee repeatedly tastes weak, try a slightly finer grind before dramatically increasing the brewing time. If it tastes bitter or dry, a slightly coarser grind or shorter brewing time may improve it.
Best Water Temperature for French Press Coffee
The ideal water temperature is approximately 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C). Water in this range is hot enough to extract the coffee properly without requiring you to pour aggressively boiling water directly onto the grounds.
If you do not have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and let it rest briefly before pouring. Starbucks recommends waiting about 30 seconds after boiling before using the water for a French press.
The quality of the water also affects the finished coffee. Fresh, clean water is generally best, and filtered water can be useful if your tap water has a strong taste or odor.
Why Does French Press Coffee Taste Bitter?
Bitter French press coffee is often caused by coffee that is ground too finely, brewed too long, or extracted with excessively hot water. Darker coffee roasts can also naturally produce stronger bitter flavors.
Start by using a coarse grind, water within the recommended temperature range, and a brewing time of about four minutes. If the coffee is still too bitter, make the grind slightly coarser or reduce the brewing time.
Changing one factor at a time makes it easier to understand what is affecting the taste. Making several changes at once can make it difficult to know which adjustment actually improved the coffee.
Why Does French Press Coffee Taste Weak?
Weak coffee can result from using too little coffee, an overly coarse grind, or insufficient extraction. Check your coffee-to-water ratio first and make sure you are using approximately 10 grams of coffee for every 180 ml of water.
If the ratio is correct, try grinding the beans slightly finer while keeping the brewing time around four minutes. Using freshly ground beans can also noticeably improve flavor and aroma.
Avoid automatically adding much more coffee before checking the grind and brewing method. A small adjustment is often enough to produce a fuller cup.
How to Clean a French Press
Allow the French press to cool before removing the used grounds. Empty the grounds into the trash or compost rather than washing large quantities into the sink, as coffee grounds can contribute to clogged drains.
Rinse the carafe, plunger, and filter after each use to remove coffee particles and oils. Periodically take apart the filter assembly and wash each piece more thoroughly, following the cleaning instructions provided by the French press manufacturer.
Keeping the filter clean is particularly important because trapped coffee oils and fine particles can affect the flavor of future brews and make the plunger harder to press.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
A good starting point is about 10 grams of coffee for every 180 ml (6 fl oz) of water. You can increase or decrease the amount slightly depending on how strong you prefer your coffee.
Around four minutes works well for most French press coffee. After four minutes, slowly press the plunger and pour the coffee rather than allowing it to remain on the grounds.
You can, but standard pre-ground coffee is often finer than ideal for a French press. A coarse grind usually produces a cleaner cup with less sediment and makes it easier to control extraction.
Water should be very hot but does not need to be used immediately after boiling. Aim for approximately 195°F to 205°F, or allow boiling water to rest for roughly 30 seconds before pouring it over the coffee.
Some sediment is normal because a French press uses a metal filter rather than a paper filter. If there is too much sediment, the coffee may be ground too finely or the filter may need cleaning.
