How to Use a French Press: The Simple and Complete Guide
Do you have a French Press at home or are you hesitating to get one? Good news: you're about to discover one of the simplest and most satisfying methods to brew a rich, intense coffee full of aromas. No need for a complicated machine, calibrated pressure, or paper filters: just some coarsely ground coffee, hot water, and a well-used French Press.
Here, we're not talking about vague recipes. We're taking you on a real experience: understanding how this French Press works, why it gives such a round and indulgent taste, and how to get the best out of it, cup after cup. Whether you're a novice or already convinced by slow coffee, this guide is here to help you brew with pleasure, without any hassle.
We'll discuss ideal temperature, suitable grind, precise dosage, and little gestures that make a difference. By the end, you'll know how to use your French Press like a barista at home. Promise, it's easier than you think — and a thousand times better than what you get with a capsule machine.
Contents
- Why Choose a French Press?
- The Necessary Equipment to Use a French Press Properly
- Simple Steps to Succeed with Your French Press Coffee
- Personalize Your French Press Coffee
- Mistakes to Avoid with a French Press
- Conclusion: A Simple Method for a Flavorful Coffee
Why Choose a French Press?
The French Press is like the unassuming piston coffee maker that packs a punch in terms of taste. If you're tired of bland coffee or capsules that have nothing left to say, this method is for you. And here's why.
1. A Simple, No-Fuss Method
No need for a complicated machine, capsule, or paper filter. You heat your water, add your coarsely ground coffee, pour, wait a few minutes, press... and that's it. You don't even need to be a morning person to manage it.
2. A Rich, Intense Coffee Full of Aromas
Since the infusion is long and gentle, it extracts all the coffee's body, including the aromatic oils that paper filters block. The result: a round, textured coffee with depth. Perfect for discovering the nuances of a well-roasted coffee bean.
3. Zero Waste (or Almost)
No pods, no plastic, no filter to throw away. Just coffee grounds that you can compost or even use as fertilizer. A French Press is also a more sustainable way to enjoy your favorite coffee.
4. A preparation as flexible as you want
Want a milder coffee? Adjust the dose or the brewing time. Prefer something stronger? Extend it a bit. The French Press adapts to your tastes, not the other way around.
5. Ideal everywhere, anytime
At home, at the office, on vacation, even in a van: it only needs a bit of hot water and a few minutes. With a kettle or even a pot, you can make a really good coffee, wherever you are.
The equipment needed to properly use a French Press
Making a good coffee with a French Press starts with having the right tools on hand. Nothing complex, promise: a few well-chosen elements are enough to transform your daily routine. Here's what you need for an optimal preparation, hassle-free.
1. A French Press, plain and simple
It's the foundation. No need for an ultra-sophisticated model, but choose a press designed to last: a heat-resistant glass pitcher, a well-fitted lid, a sturdy plunger equipped with a metal filter system (ideal for rich flavor).
Some versions in stainless steel or ceramic also exist, but glass allows you to see the water level and coffee brewing — practical, especially when starting out.
Tip: most models indicate capacity in cups, but beware: one "cup" = about 100 ml. For two real mugs, a 4-cup French Press is ideal.
2. Coffee beans... or pre-ground for French Press
This is the element that changes everything. If you want a rich and balanced coffee taste, it's better to avoid industrial ground coffee. Ideally, buy coffee beans and coarsely grind them just before making your coffee: this is how you get a cup full of aromas, without excessive bitterness.
But if you don't have a coffee grinder, don't worry: you can also buy pre-ground coffee, as long as it's suitable for French Presses (coarse grind, like sea salt). It's a very good option if you want a simple and quick solution.
Advice: whether you use coffee beans or pre-ground, choose freshly roasted coffee. Our coffees 10AM (smooth, nutty) and 01PM (fruity, expressive) are available in both formats, ready for use in a French Press.
3. A kettle (or a system to heat your water)
You don't need a programmable temperature machine, but you must be able to heat clean water to the right temperature: between 90 and 94 °C (never boiling, therefore).
If you don't have a thermometer, let your water sit for 30 seconds after boiling: it will be ideal for brewing coffee.
4. A wooden or plastic spoon (not metal on glass)
You'll need it to gently stir your ground coffee once the water is poured. A regular tablespoon works very well. Wood or plastic to avoid scratching or breaking the bottom of the glass carafe.
5. A scale (or a good measuring spoon)
It's not mandatory, but if you really want to measure the amount of coffee and water precisely, a small kitchen scale will help you achieve the ideal balance. The classic ratio? 60 g of coffee for 1 liter of water.
For a standard 250 ml cup, use about 15 g of ground coffee.
6. A coffee grinder (manual or electric)
Without a grinder, you won't be able to adjust the grind to your brewing method. And the French Press requires a coarse grind, very specific.
A coffee grinder with settings will allow you to adjust the grind size according to your preferences, your coffee, and your taste.
Simple steps to succeed in making your French Press coffee
Now that you have all the equipment on hand, let's move on to using your French press. Here are the steps for preparation, to make a coffee full of character, without any unpleasant surprises. Follow them in order and you'll get a consistent result, cup after cup.
1. Prepare your coffee maker
First of all, rinse your glass pitcher with hot water. This small gesture slightly heats the coffee maker, avoids thermal shocks, and maintains the right brewing temperature.
In the meantime, weigh your coffee dose. For a well-balanced coffee, use about 60 g of coffee for 1 liter of water, or 7 to 10 g of ground coffee per cup of coffee (depending on the desired intensity).
2. Add the ground coffee and pour the water
Pour your ground coffee into the bottom of the coffee maker. Use a spoon or pour it gently to avoid making a mess.
Then heat your water. The ideal water for French press coffee should be simmering, not boiling: between 90 and 94 °C. If you've just boiled it, wait 30 to 45 seconds before pouring.
Pour the water in two stages:
- First, just enough to cover the coffee and create what is called the bloom (coffee swelling upon contact with water).
- Wait 30 seconds: this is when the coffee aromas begin to release.
- Then pour the rest of the water, up to the desired level.
3. Stir with a spoon (gently)
With a wooden or plastic spoon, stir gently to homogenize the preparation. This action helps with regular extraction and prevents the coffee from floating on the surface.
Avoid metal if your pitcher is glass: it's safer, especially if you care about your coffee maker.
4. Let it steep without touching
Place the lid on the coffee maker, without pressing the plunger. Just let the steam escape through the filtration system.
The optimal steeping time is 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the intensity you seek and the type of coffee used (longer = stronger). This is the moment to wait calmly, or to prepare your favorite coffee cup.
5. Gently press the plunger
Once the steeping is done, slowly push the plunger to the bottom of the coffee maker. No need to force it: if you feel too much resistance, the grind was too fine. On the other hand, if it goes down too quickly, it was too coarse.
This action separates the coffee grounds and gives you a clean drink, without sediment.
6. Serve immediately (and do not let it sit)
Pour your coffee immediately into the cups, or into a carafe if you're not drinking it right away. Extraction continues as long as the coffee is in contact with water, so it's best not to let it linger at the bottom.
You can now enjoy your coffee, still hot, with all the aromatic richness this gentle method allows. And if you want to go further, we have some tips for you in the next section.
Personalize your coffee in French Press
One of the great strengths of the French Press is its flexibility. You can adjust your recipe according to the taste of the coffee you want to achieve, the amount of water you use, or the type of coffee you prefer (a good Arabica, for example).
Here are some simple tips to refine your preparation:
- Want a lighter coffee? Reduce the dose slightly (6 to 7 g of ground coffee per cup) or shorten the infusion time a bit.
- Need a stronger coffee? Extend the infusion (up to 5 minutes max), or slightly increase the amount of coffee (up to 10 g/cup).
- Do you like more fruity or floral profiles? Opt for Ethiopian or Kenyan coffee. For a chocolaty touch, choose Central American coffee.
- Making coffee for several people? No stress: the French Press comes in different sizes, and the method remains the same, even for a large quantity.
Usage tip: non-boiling water, appropriate grind, and a well-fitted lid are often enough to turn your coffee moment into a true pleasure.
Mistakes to avoid with a French Press
Even though the operation of the French Press is simple, some pitfalls can spoil your coffee preparation. Here are the most common ones:
- Grinding too fine
The coffee passes through the filter and results in a cloudy, even bitter drink. Opt for a coarse grind, like sea salt: it's the foundation. - Using boiling water
Too hot, it burns the aromas. Prefer simmering water, which you let sit for 30 to 45 seconds after boiling. - Not respecting the infusion time
Infusing too short = under-extraction; too long = bitterness. Aim for between 3 and 4 minutes, it's the best balance. - Letting the coffee sit in the French Press
After pressing, the grounds continue to infuse. To avoid this, pour everything into the cups or a carafe immediately. - Neglecting the filter system
A poorly cleaned filter alters the taste. Regular maintenance is essential to preserve the quality of the coffee. - Improperly adjusting the lid or plunger
Incorrect positioning creates leaks or blocks extraction. Always check that the system is properly in place.
Conclusion: a simple method for a coffee full of flavor
In the world of coffee, the French Press remains one of the most accessible and effective methods to truly make coffee your way. No need for an espresso machine or high-pressure technology: with a plunger coffee maker, a bit of patience, and a few good techniques, you can reveal all the richness and smoothness of your coffee.
It's a more direct, more sensory way to prepare your coffee — without capsules, without waste, but with maximum pleasure. And unlike an Italian coffee maker or an automatic coffee machine, here, you control every parameter: the amount of water, the brewing time, the grind, and thus the final taste.
Using a plunger coffee maker is also about rediscovering a ritual: simple, effective, almost meditative. And if you want to try the experience under the best conditions, we've thought of everything: a ready-to-use pack with a quality French Press and three pre-ground coffees, specially designed for preparation with a plunger coffee maker. Ideal for beginners, or to slip into the hands of a curious friend.
