How to Brew with a French Press

Step-by-Step French Press Instruction

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1. Preheat the French press

Pour hot water into your French press to warm the glass or metal carafe, then discard the water right before brewing.

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2. Weigh your coffee: Using a scale, measure 65g to 70g of coffee per 1 liter of water, adjusting slightly to match your taste and the specific coffee you are brewing.

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3. Grind medium-fine: Grind your coffee to a consistency similar to filter coffee, or slightly finer, to ensure full extraction. (Tip: A very coarse grind often leads to weak, sour coffee and does not prevent sediment, since grinders still produce fine particles regardless of setting.)

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4. Add water and stir: Add the ground coffee to the French press, place it on your scale, and tare to 0g. Pour 1 liter (about 963g at sea level) of boiling water over the grounds. To make sure all grounds are saturated, pour half the water first, stir gently, and then pour the remaining water. Leave the lid and plunger off for now.

Let it steep: Allow the coffee to steep undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes.

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5. Break the crust and skim: Right as the steep time finishes, use a spoon to gently push the floating coffee grounds down toward the bottom and stir 3 to 5 times. Skim off and discard the pale floating foam on the surface for a cleaner-tasting cup.

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6. Plunge gently: Place the lid and plunger onto the French press and press down slowly and steadily. It should glide down with very little resistance.

Let the sediment settle: Wait 1 to 5 minutes before pouring the coffee into your cup or a thermal carafe. Letting it rest allows fine particles to settle to the bottom for a much cleaner taste. Stop pouring as soon as you see grounds and sediment approaching the spout.

 

7. Cool and enjoy: Let the coffee cool slightly to a comfortable drinking temperature so its natural sweetness can shine.