How to Make French Press Coffee (Ratio, Grind and Steep Time)

To make French press coffee, add coarsely ground coffee to the press, pour in water just off the boil, steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger down slowly and pour right away. The details below (ratio, grind and a few small habits) turn an okay cup into a rich, smooth one.

The French press is one of the most forgiving brewers you can own. There are no paper filters, no special pouring technique and nothing to plug in. Because the coffee steeps fully in the water and is filtered through a metal mesh, more of its natural oils end up in your cup, which gives French press coffee its full body and rounded flavor.

What you'll need

• A French press. Any size works. A common "8 cup" press holds about 34 oz (1 liter), but note that a French press "cup" is only about 4 oz.
• Fresh coffee, ground coarse. Whole bean ground right before brewing gives the best flavor. A burr grinder makes a more even coarse grind than a blade grinder. Don't have a grinder? Order your coffee ground for French press.
• A kettle for hot water.
• A kitchen scale (recommended) and a timer.
• A spoon for stirring. Wood or plastic is gentlest on a glass press.

How to make French press coffee: step by step

1. Heat your water. Bring fresh, filtered water to a boil, then let it rest about 30 seconds so it lands around 195–205°F (90–96°C). Heat a little extra to warm the press.
2. Warm the press. Swirl some hot water in the empty press and pour it out. A warm press holds its temperature better through the steep.
3. Weigh and grind your coffee. For about two mugs, use 32 g of coffee for a balanced cup or 40 g for a bolder one. Grind it coarse, like coarse sea salt.
4. Add coffee and water. Put the grounds in the press, set it on your scale, tare it, start your timer, and pour in 480 g (about 16 oz) of water. Pour steadily so every ground gets wet.
5. Stir gently. After about 30 seconds, give the coffee a few gentle stirs to break up any dry clumps floating on top.
6. Put the lid on and wait. Set the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up and let it steep until the timer hits 4 minutes.
7. Press slowly. Push the plunger down with gentle, steady pressure. It should take about 15 to 20 seconds. If it fights you hard, your grind is too fine. If it drops with almost no resistance, your grind may be too coarse.
8. Pour right away. Serve the coffee immediately, or pour it all into a carafe or thermos. Coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter.

Want an even cleaner cup? After the 4 minute steep, skim off the foam and floating grounds with a spoon, wait a few more minutes for the fine particles to settle, then press just to the surface of the coffee and pour gently. It takes a little longer but leaves far less sediment in your mug.

Choosing your French press ratio

The ratio is simply grams of coffee to grams of water. Here's an easy guide for a 480 g (16 oz) batch:

• 1:12 (40 g coffee): bold and rich. This is the ratio we suggest on our dark roast product pages for a full-bodied cup that stands up to milk.
• 1:15 (32 g coffee): balanced and smooth. A great everyday starting point if you take your coffee black.
• 1:16 or 1:17 (28 to 30 g coffee): lighter and more delicate.

Find a ratio you like, then keep it the same and adjust only your grind from there. Brewing for a crowd? Keep the ratio and scale both numbers up, but leave about an inch of space below the rim of your press.

Troubleshooting: bitter, sour, weak or muddy French press coffee

Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.

• Bitter or harsh: the coffee is over-extracted. Use a slightly coarser grind, shorten the steep to about 3.5 minutes, and always pour off the coffee as soon as you press.
• Sour or thin: the coffee is under-extracted. Grind a little finer, make sure your water is hot enough, or steep the full 4 minutes.
• Weak or watery: use more coffee. Move from 1:15 toward 1:12, and weigh instead of scooping.
• Muddy or gritty: a bit of sediment is normal with French press, but a lot usually means the grind is too fine or uneven. Try a coarser setting, use a burr grinder, skim the top before pressing, and leave the last sip in the press.
• Flat or stale: coffee loses aroma quickly after grinding. Grind just before brewing and store your beans airtight, away from heat and light.

The best coffee for French press

A French press brings out body, sweetness and deep chocolatey notes, which is why medium and dark roasts are classic choices. These three single origin dark roasts from Minas Gerais, Brazil all list French press as one of their best brewing methods.

Scarlet Berry Delight: a dark roast with a fruity surprise

Tasting notes: berry medley and velvety cocoa. A Red Acaiá dark roast where a berry character comes through first, then settles into a long cocoa finish. If you love rich coffee but want something more interesting than the usual, try it at 1:12 in your press.
Shop Scarlet Berry Delight

Golden Peak Reserve: the bold, smooth everyday pot

Tasting notes: cocoa, caramel, hazelnut and a clean finish. A pulped natural Yellow Catuai from Carmo de Minas. It's our dependable daily dark roast and very easy to love in a French press.
Shop Golden Peak Reserve

Blissful Vanilla Dream: sweet, creamy and cozy

Tasting notes: honey, vanilla, citrus and a creamy body. A natural processed Red Catuai from Cabo Verde. The French press's fuller body makes the creamy texture really shine.
Shop Blissful Vanilla Dream

Every Minero coffee comes as whole bean or ground to order. Choose French Press in the grind options and it arrives ready for your press. Orders over $50 ship free in the US.

Brewing for a team? Our office coffee program starts with a free tasting of two bags for your business.

French press FAQs

How long should French press coffee steep?

Four minutes is the standard. Go a little shorter if your coffee tastes bitter, or a little longer if it tastes sour or thin.

What grind size is best for French press?

Coarse, about the size of coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs. A grind that's too fine makes the coffee bitter, muddy and hard to press.

How much coffee do I use in a French press?

For 16 oz (480 g) of water, use about 32 g of coffee for a balanced cup or 40 g for a bold one. Without a scale, start with about 3 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee per 8 oz of water.

Can I use pre-ground coffee in a French press?

Yes, as long as it's ground coarse. Regular pre-ground coffee is usually made for drip machines and is too fine for a press. Order it ground specifically for French press.

Can I leave coffee in the French press?

It's best not to. The coffee keeps extracting while it sits on the grounds and turns bitter. Pour it all out right after pressing.

French press or pour over: which is better?

Neither is better, just different. French press gives a rich, full-bodied cup, while pour over is lighter and brighter. Want to try both? Read our pour over guide.

Ready to press?

Grab your French press, start with a coarse grind, a 1:15 ratio and a 4 minute steep, then adjust to taste. Prefer your coffee over ice? A French press also makes a great vessel for cold brew.

Shop all Minero coffees