How to Brew Perfect French Press Coffee

Hey everyone! I wanted to take some time to share my process for making what I believe is the best French Press coffee. I believe the best coffee comes from a French Press and so this is also the method that I use when I am rating and reviewing coffee to ensure each cup is made consistently. I use a simple 45 oz Bayka French Press similar to this one. I would recommend sticking to 45 oz or larger in case you need to make coffee for a large group.

My current brewing set up

A simple rule I follow when brewing coffee is 1 tablespoon of beans per 4 oz of coffee. This can vary depending on the bean, so do not be afraid to experiment. When I’m brewing coffee to review it I usually do 8 oz at a time, this gives me a full cup of coffee to experience while still leaving me plenty of coffee to experiment with. I currently use a Baratza Encore for grinding, set at 26 for a coarse grind. When using a French Press you’ll want to stay on the coarse side of your grinder to ensure no grounds end up in your cup.

Step 1: Measure and Grind

Course grounds from the Baratza Encore

An electric teapot is a game changer here, I use a simple Amazon Basics fast boil you can find Here. Some tea kettles have built in temperature controls which are convenient, but for the price this does just fine. Boil your water and then check the temperature. I let the water come down to 180 degrees fahrenheit before I pour it to ensure I don’t overheat the coffee. Try to use the purest water you have available to ensure the best flavor. I use our reverse osmosis water when I do my reviews.

Step 2: Prepare the Water

Slowly pour the water into the French Press and gently stir it for 30 seconds. If you have a glass French Press I advise you to use a wooden spoon. If you’re using stainless steel you can use just about anything.

Step 3: Pour and Stir

Stir your French Press to ensure all grounds soak

The two biggest determinants for the strength of your coffee when using a French Press is your grind size and how long you let it brew for. A finer grind will make stronger coffee; as will letting it sit longer. You should aim for 4-5 minutes. I prefer a stronger cup of coffee so I usually do 5 minutes. Once you’ve reached your time you’ll want to slowly press your plunger down until you reach the bottom of the press.

Step 4: Wait and Press

Pouring from my press to my cup

Step 5 (the best step): Enjoy

Enjoy your perfectly brewed cup of coffee.

Coffee brewed to perfection

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