French Press Brewing Guide
A shared pot, a generous cup
In truth, French press wasn’t love at first sight.
As a teen, it wasn’t my go-to. Back then, coffee meant the Aztec Café on Aztec Street in Santa Fe—good, comforting urn-brewed coffee, usually enjoyed late in the evening, softened with cream and sugar, and wrapped up in the rhythm of teenage life. I might have had that cup at nine at night. It fit who I was then.
French press came later, through dear friends and shared mornings. By that point, life had shifted—early days, young children, time spent outdoors whenever we could find it. One camping trip stands out: a double-walled Bodum, Ohori’s coffee, and a pot brewed slowly in the quiet of the woods. The cup was rich and complex, with a full mouthfeel that felt grounded and natural.
That was when French press made sense to me.
And it’s still how those friends brew their coffee today.
French press is a generous way to make coffee. It’s meant for sharing—mornings with company, long conversations, and settings where you want more than a single cup. It works beautifully at home and just as well outdoors, whether you’re camping, traveling, or gathered around a table.
It also pairs especially well with the way we roast at Ohori’s. Our coffees tend toward richer development, and French press brings those flavors forward with depth and weight. Because the coffee and water spend time together, you can shape the cup to your taste—leaning into boldness or highlighting brighter, more acidic notes simply by adjusting brew time.
That same simplicity makes the French press a natural choice for cold brew. With just coffee, water, and time, flavors unfold slowly, producing a smooth, refreshing cup that still carries the character of the roast.
French press is simple—but it asks for attention. Unlike methods that move forward on their own, here you’re responsible for time and temperature. When you stay present with it, the reward is coffee that feels grounded, generous, and meant to be shared.
How we brew
What You’ll Need
French press doesn’t require much—and that’s part of its charm.
- A French press
(Glass, stainless steel, or double-walled; Bodum, Frieling, Fellow, and others all work well) - A kettle
(Temperature control helps, but isn’t essential) - A scale
(Helpful for consistency, especially when brewing for a group) - Fresh coffee and a good grinder
(A burr grinder is ideal for even extraction) - A spoon for stirring
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
A common starting point for French press is 1:15 to 1:17.
In our home, we often land here:
- 28 grams of coffee
- 450 grams of water (about 15 oz)
This produces a full-bodied cup without overwhelming bitterness. If you prefer something bolder, use a bit more coffee. If you want more clarity, use a bit less.
Once you find what you like, repeat it.
Grind Size
French press works best with a coarse grind, similar to coarse sea salt.
A grind that’s too fine can lead to overextraction and excess sediment. Coarser grinds allow the coffee to steep evenly and settle more cleanly before pressing.
Grind size matters here—often more than with other brewing methods.
Step-by-Step Brewing
1. Heat your water
Use water at 198–201°F. This range supports sweetness and body without pulling harshness forward.
2. Warm the press (optional but helpful)
Rinse the French press with hot water, then discard the water. This helps maintain brewing temperature.
3. Add coffee grounds
Add your ground coffee to the empty press.
4. Pour water
Pour all the water over the grounds, making sure everything is fully saturated.
5. Stir gently
Give the coffee a slow, gentle stir to encourage even extraction.
6. Steep
Place the lid on top (without pressing) and let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
Shorter steep times lean brighter; longer steeps increase body.
7. Press slowly
Press the plunger down slowly and evenly. Rushing this step can disturb the settled grounds and lead to grounds in your cup.
8. Pour and enjoy Pour the coffee soon after pressing. Coffee meant to be enjoyed hot loses its character as it cools—and no one likes a cold cup meant to be warm.
The Science Behind Pour Over
Extraction Explained
French press uses full-immersion brewing, meaning coffee and water remain in contact throughout the brew. Extraction continues until you press and pour.
Key variables include the following:
Grind size
Coarse grinds slow the extraction and reduce sediment.
Water temperature
Staying near 198–201°F helps extract oils and sugars without tipping into bitterness.
Contact time
Because extraction continues throughout steeping, time directly affects flavor and body.
Filtration
French press relies on metal filtration, which allows natural oils and fine particles into the cup. This creates a heavier mouthfeel and richer texture than paper-filtered methods.
When well balanced, the French press delivers a cup that is bold, layered, and deeply comforting.
New and modern techniques
While French press is beautifully traditional, there are a few newer approaches worth exploring.
One option is placing a paper filter—such as a Kalita Wave—between the coffee and the metal screen before pressing. This extra layer of filtration reduces sediment and oils, resulting in a cleaner, clearer cup while still preserving the immersion brewing style.
This approach appeals to those who enjoy the body of French press but prefer more clarity in the cup.
As always, these techniques are optional. French press works wonderfully in its classic form—but part of the joy of coffee is discovering what you enjoy most.
French press reminds me that coffee doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
It’s a method built for sharing—for mornings outdoors, long tables, and conversations that linger. It rewards attention and tolerates variation.
Use this guide as a place to begin. Adjust the timing. Taste along the way. Make it work for your mornings, your people, your pace.
Good coffee is generous—and French press is one of the best ways to share it.