How to Make French Press Coffee (Without the Muddy Cup)

Short answer: use a coarse grind (like breadcrumbs, not table salt), a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, and steep for exactly 4 minutes before pressing. Skip the fine grind you'd use for drip, since it slips through the metal filter and leaves your cup muddy and bitter. French press is the most forgiving brew method there is once you get those two things right. Here's the full method, plus which roasts hold up best to it.

In this article

• What you'll need
• Step 1: Grind coarse, measure
• Step 2: Bloom, then fill
• Step 3: Steep 4 minutes, then press
• Best coffee for French press
• Fixing muddy or bitter coffee
• FAQ

What you'll need

• A French press (press pot or plunger pot)
• Coarsely ground coffee, or whole beans and a burr grinder
• A kettle
• A kitchen scale, if you have one
• A spoon for breaking the crust before pressing

Step 1: Grind coarse, measure your coffee

Grind size is the single most important variable in French press. You want a coarse grind that resembles breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt, noticeably chunkier than what you'd use for drip. The French press's metal mesh filter can't catch fine particles the way a paper filter does, so a fine grind leaves your cup silty and over-extracted.

Use a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water by weight as your starting point. For a standard 32 oz French press, that's about 56 grams (roughly 8 tablespoons) of coffee to 850 grams of water. No scale? A rough guide is 1 tablespoon of coffee per 4 ounces of water, adjusted to taste.

Step 2: Bloom, then fill the rest of the way

Heat your water just off the boil, around 200°F. Add your coarsely ground coffee to the press, then start a timer and pour in roughly twice the coffee's weight in water to saturate the grounds evenly. Let that bloom for 30 seconds to a minute. You'll see it bubble slightly if the beans are fresh.

After the bloom, pour in the rest of your water, filling to your target weight. Give it one gentle stir to make sure everything's evenly saturated, then set the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up. Don't press yet.

Step 3: Steep 4 minutes, then press

Let the coffee steep undisturbed for about 4 minutes. At the 4 minute mark, remove the lid, break up the crust of grounds that's formed on top with a spoon, and skim off any floating grounds or foam if you want a cleaner cup. Then place the plunger back on and press down slowly and evenly.

If pressing feels difficult or you're meeting a lot of resistance, your grind was too fine. If it plunges with almost no resistance, it was too coarse. Pour out all the coffee immediately once it's pressed. Coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps extracting and will turn bitter within minutes.

Best coffee for French press

The metal filter in a French press lets more of a coffee's natural oils through than a paper filter does, which gives you a heavier body and richer mouthfeel. That's exactly why full-bodied medium and dark roasts tend to shine here more than delicate, bright light roasts, which are usually better served by pour over.

If you want something bolder, our Italian Roast, our darkest option, holds up especially well to the long steep, and 6 Bean Blend brings a similarly full body with a bit more complexity from its mix of origins.

Fixing muddy or bitter coffee

Muddy, silty cup. Almost always a grind that's too fine. Coarsen it, closer to breadcrumbs than sand.

Bitter coffee. Either the grind is too fine, the steep ran long, or you left brewed coffee sitting on the grounds after pressing. Pour it all out right at the 4 minute mark.

Weak or watery cup. Check your ratio first, you may need more coffee relative to water. If the ratio's right, try extending the steep slightly, up to 4.5 or 5 minutes.

Plunger won't move, or moves with zero resistance. No resistance means the grind is too coarse. A lot of resistance means it's too fine. You're aiming for firm but manageable.

Frequently asked questions

How long should French press coffee steep?

4 minutes is the standard starting point. Some people prefer as little as 3 minutes for a lighter cup or up to 5 for something bolder. Once you find your preference, stick with it for consistency.

Why does my French press coffee always have grounds in it?

Some fine sediment is normal with a French press since its metal filter is less fine than paper. If you're getting an excessive amount, your grind is likely too fine, or your filter may be worn and no longer sealing tightly against the glass.

Can I use a French press for cold brew?

Yes, a French press works well for cold brew. Use a coarse grind, combine with cold water at a stronger ratio, let it steep in the fridge for 12 to 18 hours, then press to filter before diluting.

Is French press coffee stronger than drip coffee?

It often tastes bolder and fuller-bodied because more oils pass through the metal filter, but that's a difference in body and richness, not necessarily caffeine content. Actual strength comes down to your coffee-to-water ratio more than the brew method itself.

Should I preheat my French press?

It helps. Rinse the empty press with hot water before adding your grounds, then discard that water. This keeps your press from pulling heat out of your brew water during the steep.