The French press has been around since 1929, and its design has changed very little since then. Its simplicity is probably its greatest appeal, and it is especially convenient when serving a few cups at a time.

This doesn’t mean that attention to detail isn’t also essential to achieve optimum results. To achieve a full expression of the coffee, decant it immediately after brewing so it doesn’t become bitter. It only takes four minutes to brew.

Step 1: 

Boil enough water to fill the French press.

Step 2

French press coffee calls for a coarse, even grind. We recommend a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio. If you’re using 420g (i.e. 420 ml) of water, you’ll want 28g of coffee.

Step 3

Gently pour water onto the grounds – measure off twice the weight of coffee, i.e. 56g/ml, using example above.

Step 4

Give the grounds a gentle stir with a wooden spoon. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds.

Step 5

Add the rest of your water and position the lid gently on top of the grounds. Don’t plunge just yet. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes in total. Use a timer or watch! This step is important.

Step 6

Press the filter down. If it’s hard to press, it means your grind is too fine; if it presses too easily, it means your grind is too coarse. When you’ve finished pressing, serve the coffee immediately. Don’t let it sit, as this will cause it to continue brewing and over-extract (become bitter).

French Press Troubleshooting

My coffee tastes sour

This is usually under-extraction.

To fix it:

• Grind slightly finer
• Increase brew time (e.g. 4 → 5 minutes)
• Use slightly hotter water

My coffee tastes bitter

This is usually over-extraction.

To fix it:

• Grind coarser
• Reduce brew time
• Avoid over-stirring or agitation
• Decant immediately after brewing

My coffee tastes muddy or dirty

French press should be full-bodied, but not unpleasantly silty.

To fix it:

• Grind coarser
• Let the coffee sit for 1–2 minutes after plunging before pouring
• Pour gently to avoid disturbing sediment
• Clean your filter thoroughly

My coffee is too weak

This is a strength issue, not extraction.

To fix it:

• Use more coffee (adjust your ratio)
• Ensure all grounds are fully saturated
• Stir properly during bloom

My coffee is too strong

To fix it:

• Use less coffee
• Dilute slightly with hot water after brewing