The Simple French Press Brew Guide
French Press Coffee Brewing
The French Press is the perfect brew method for a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee, and it's surprisingly simple. This guide will help you create a delicious brew with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
What You'll Need
- Medium Roast House Blend (or your favorite Generic Coffee Co. roast)
- French Press
- Coffee Grinder
- Hot Water (just off the boil, around 200°F)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grind Your Beans: Use a coarse grind for your coffee, similar to the texture of coarse sea salt. Alternatively, Generic Coffee Co. sells Coarse Grind as an option in all your favorite coffees.
- Add Coffee: Place your grounds at the bottom of the empty French Press.
- Pour Water: Pour a little water, just enough to cover the grounds, making sure to fully saturate them. Use a small spoon to give the water-ground mixture a little swirl. Wait just a few seconds (up to 30 seconds) then pour the rest of the water to about an inch or two from the pour spout.
- Steep: Place the lid on top and gently depress the plunger about a inch, to submerge the grounds. Let it sit for 4 minutes.
- Plunge Slowly: After 4 minutes, press the plunger down smoothly and slowly until it reaches the bottom.
- Pour & Enjoy: Pour your coffee into your mug immediately to prevent it from continuing to brew and becoming bitter.
Pro Tips
For the smoothest cup, make sure your water isn't boiling. Using water just off the boil (around 200°F/93°C) prevents a harsh flavor. The key to a great French Press is a consistent, coarse grind—it's what keeps the bitterness at bay.
If you love the flavor of French Press coffee but not the extra ground/grit, let the pot sit for 30-45 seconds after plunging to let any grounds settle to the bottom. When pouring, let a little coffee remain in the pot so you don't get those pesky grounds in your cup.