French Press coffee recipe (serves 1 mug or two cups - if you want to share)
How to make unbeatable coffee with a French press.
Equipment
- 1 French press coffee maker Prices can range from a few bucks upwards - see my top picks.
- 1 Coffee grinder optional
- 1 kitchen scale
- 1 food thermometer optional
- 1 kettle
- 1 mug (or 2 cups)
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1.0 oz coffee beans / pre-ground coffee buy the best quality medium roast arabica coffee.
Notes
- Grind the beans to a coarse texture. ideally, the grounds will be about the same size as chunky sea salt. This ensures that the coffee grounds won't escape through the mesh filter and mix with the coffee you pour into your cup. Top Tip: French press coffee is best when it's fresh, so grind your beans just before brewing.
- If you're new to French press coffee, start with light roast coffee beans. French press coffee is normally less acidic than with other brewing methods, so dark roasts can taste bitter. Experiment with different roasts and see what you like best.
- Remove the plunger from the press and half-fill with hot water to pre-heat the french press. Leave to stand for a few moments then discard the water. This ensures you will brew the coffee at the temperature you choose.
- Measure out the coffee grounds and pour them into the press. This is where it starts to get really interesting- because you need to get the ratio of coffee to water right if you are going to end up with a good (or even drinkable) cup of coffee. Top Tip: its best to use a scale, it will make the whole process much more accurate, AND you will find it easier to repeatedly get a cup of coffee just how you want it.
- As a starting point, I recommend you go with a regular coffee strength ratio of 1:15. So for every one measure (whether you are using spoons, or grams or scoops) of coffee grounds, you will need to add 15 measures of water. To help I have created a whole post on the french press coffee to water ratio.
- To bloom the coffee, pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds. let it bubble and froth to release carbon dioxide (CO2) trapped in the coffee beans.
- Pour hot, but not boiling, water over the coffee grounds in the french press. If you have a thermometer (or even a temperature-controlled kettle) you will be able to get the perfect water temperature for you. Top Tip: Aim for a water temperature of between 180 - 190°F (roughly 80 - 90°C), NOT boiling because boiling water scalds the beans and leads to bitter flavorless coffee.
- Using the spoon, stir the coffee, I normally give it 20 slow stirs. then set the spoon aside and time the brew. Top Tip: course grounds release their flavor slowly, so give it 4-5 minutes.
- Once the coffee has brewed, insert the french press plunger and press down slowly. If you meet with great resistance, go a bit slower, or even give the process a few seconds rest.
- when the plunger has reached the bottom of the press (it won't go all the way to the bottom but will rest on top of the grounds), you can pour the coffee into your cup or mug of choice.
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!