How To Make French Press Coffee – 5 Simple Steps

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If you read our guide on the different coffee brewing methods, you’ll know that the French Press is a steeping method. You put the coffee in, pour the water, and allow the coffee to steep. After a few minutes, you filter the coffee by using the French press plunger and you have your coffee!

French Press Coffee

Over the course of my coffee journey, I have had phases of only making French Press coffee for months at a time. It’s so simple and the coffee it makes is phenomenal. The return on investment is totally worth it!

In this post, I’m going to walk you through a simple French Press coffee brewing guide. If you love french or dark roast coffee, this is perfect for you. 

French Press Tips – Things That Mess It Up!

  • Incorrect Water Temperatures:
    • If water is too hot = Burnt coffee 
    • If water is too cold = Under-extracted coffee
  • Incorrect Coffee Grounds:
    • If coffee is too fine = Muddy and bitter coffee

Minimum Equipment:

  • A French Press
  • Coffee Beans – French Roast or Dark Roast
  • Burr Grinder
  • Scale
  • Water
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Timer

Steps:

  • Step 1: Prepare!
    • Start by boiling water to around 195F.
    • Pour the water into the empty French Press to warm it up. 
      • This allows the French Press to maintain temperatures for the best extraction.
  • Step 2: Measure and Grind!
    • Measure 52g of coffee and grind it coarse (think bread crumbs).
      • This makes 8 cups of coffee (1892ml).
    • Pour the water out of the French Press and add the grounds. Shake the press to level the grounds.
Pour the Coffee Grounds!
  • Step 3: Bloom!
    • Pour the 195F water in a circular motion all over the grounds up to half of the French Press.
    • Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds.
  • Step 4: Brewing the Coffee
    • Break the coffee ground crust with a spoon.
    • Pour the hot water the rest of the way and place the lid on top. 
    • Lower the plunger until it barely touches the surface of the water.
    • Allow the coffee to brew for 4 minutes.
Place the filter at the very top of the water!
  • Step 5: Plunge and Enjoy!
    • After the 4 minutes, press the plunger gently and evenly.
      • If the plunger is too hard to press, the grounds are too fine.
      • If the plunger is too easy to press, the grounds are too coarse.
    • Serve immediately and don’t let it sit. This will cause over-extraction, which will result in the coffee tasting bitter.
Plunge the coffee!

As you can see, brewing coffee with a French Press is extremely simple, if not the MOST simple across all the methods. No need for dialing in grind sizes, experimenting with water temperatures, pouring patterns. Just put in your coffee and water, wait, and plunge! 

The French Press is the BEST way to get started in brewing your own coffee, especially on a budget.

To get started on making French Press coffee, check out our guide on the best french presses.

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