French Press Coffee Guide: How to Brew a Perfect Cup

The simple, forgiving method for a rich, full-bodied cup

French press is the most approachable brewing method. No special technique required. No precise pouring. Just coffee, water, time, and a plunger.

The result is different from pour over—fuller body, more oils, a thicker mouthfeel. Some prefer it. Some don't. Worth trying to know which camp you're in.

Why French Press

French press is an immersion method. Coffee grounds steep fully in water, then get separated by pressing a mesh filter down. Nothing paper-filtered out.

This produces:

• Full body: Oils and fine particles pass through the mesh, creating a heavier, richer texture
• Bold flavor: Extended contact time extracts thoroughly
• Forgiveness: The method is harder to mess up than pour over

The trade-offs: some sediment in the cup, less clarity than filtered methods, can become bitter if brewed too long.

Equipment

Essential

• French press: Any size. Glass or stainless steel. Bodum and Espro are popular brands.
• Kettle: Any kettle works. No gooseneck required.
• Fresh coffee: Coarse-ground. This matters more than the press itself.
• Timer: Phone timer is fine.

Helpful

• Scale: For consistent ratios
• Burr grinder: For consistent coarse grind (blade grinders struggle here)

The Basic Recipe

Ratio: 1:15 (coffee to water by weight)
Example: 30g coffee, 450g water (makes about 2 cups)

Grind: Coarse (like sea salt or raw sugar)

Water temperature: 195-205°F (just off boiling)

Steep time: 4 minutes

Step-by-Step

1. Preheat

Fill French press with hot water to preheat. Let sit a minute. Discard water.

2. Add Coffee

Add coarse-ground coffee to the empty press. Shake gently to level.

3. Add Water

Start timer. Pour hot water over grounds, saturating all of them. Fill to desired level. Don't stir yet.

4. Wait

Let it sit for 4 minutes. At about 1 minute, you can gently stir to ensure all grounds are saturated. Then leave it alone.

This is your pause. Four minutes of nothing. Resist the urge to rush.

5. Plunge

At 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Don't force it. If there's major resistance, your grind may be too fine.

6. Pour Immediately

Important: pour all the coffee out right away. If it sits in the press, it continues extracting and becomes bitter.

Pour into cups or a carafe. Serve.

Troubleshooting

Bitter or Over-Extracted

• Grind coarser
• Steep for less time (try 3:30)
• Use slightly cooler water
• Pour immediately after plunging (don't let it sit)

Weak or Under-Extracted

• Grind finer (but still coarse-ish)
• Steep longer (try 4:30)
• Use more coffee
• Ensure water is hot enough

Too Much Sediment

• Grind coarser—fine particles slip through the mesh
• Let brewed coffee settle a moment before drinking the last sips
• Consider an Espro press (double micro-filter reduces sediment)

Hard to Press

• Grind is too fine. The mesh clogs with fine particles. Coarsen significantly.

The 4-Minute Ritual

French press has a built-in pause: the 4-minute steep.

You can fill this time however you want. Check your phone. Prep breakfast. Zone out.

Or: use it intentionally. Four minutes of nothing. Standing in your kitchen, waiting. Noticing the steam, the smell, the quiet.

The coffee will be the same either way. You might not be.

Coffee for French Press

French press handles a range of roasts well:

• Medium to dark roasts: The full body complements these roasts' chocolate, caramel, nutty notes
• Bold, earthy coffees: Indonesian, Brazilian, darker blends
• Any fresh coffee: Freshness matters more than roast level

Lighter roasts work too—they'll taste different than in pour over, with more body and less clarity. Some people prefer this.

Shop our coffees →

Cleaning Your French Press

Don't skip this. Old coffee oils go rancid and affect taste.

1. Empty grounds (compost or trash, not down the drain)
2. Disassemble the plunger (most have multiple parts)
3. Wash all parts with soap and water
4. Let dry completely before reassembling

Deep clean weekly if you use it daily. Coffee oils build up invisibly.

French Press vs. Pour Over

Neither is better. They're different.

Try both. See what your palate prefers.

Sip in the moment.

Spiritus Coffee Co.
Consciously crafted. Roasted with intention.