Recipe Instructions
This recipe is for the 4-cup (17-oz) French Press coffee maker (also known as a "press pot"), which makes 2 small mugs of coffee. Double everything and follow the same process for the 8-cup (34-oz) version.
What you'll need
4-cup French Press
27g (5 Tbsp) coffee, coarsely ground
400g (1.75 cups) water, just off boil
Chopstick or spoon for stirring
Kitchen timer
French Press Coffee Ratio
Whatever size of French Press you use, a good rule of thumb is to follow a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water. So for every 1 gram of coffee, add 15 grams of water, which converts to about 3 tablespoon of coffee for every 1 cup of water. Experiment from there to find the ratio that works for your taste.
Step 1: Prepare
Preheat your press with hot water, including the plunger, then pour hot water into your cup. Meanwhile, measure 5 tablespoons or 27 grams of coffee and grind. It should have the consistency of kosher salt.
Step 2: Add coffee
Tip your coffee into the press and give it a gentle shake to level the grounds.
Step 3: Add water
Starting the timer, add water in a circular motion, wetting all the grounds, until the press is half full. Pause and enjoy the bloom.
Step 4: Stir
30 seconds in, give the grounds a gentle stir with a chopstick or spoon.
Step 5: Add more water
Evenly pour water to the top of the press and add the lid, gently resting the plunger on the grounds. (If you're using a kitchen scale, it should come to around 400g of water altogether.)
Step 6: Plunge
Wait until your timer reads 4:00, then slowly push the plunger all the way down.
Step 7: Pour
Immediately decant the coffee to prevent over-extraction.
Step 8: Enjoy
Enjoy with friends, by yourself, or with the dog.
Tips for French Press perfection
Following the steps above should produce a delicious cup of coffee. However, the French Press can leave a bitter taste in your mouth if not brewed appropriately. Here's a few tips to avoid bitterness:
It all starts with good coffee. Buy quality whole bean coffee and grind it just before use.
Bitterness is usually a result of over-extraction. Leaving the coffee in contact with the grounds after it’s done brewing will result in over-extraction, so we recommend you decant the coffee immediately.
Uneven grinding can also contribute to bitterness: tiny pieces of ground coffee (called ‘fines’) extract faster than larger pieces. Consider using a burr grinder, if you aren’t already, or changing the burrs on your grinder if they're getting old.
Boiling-hot water can scorch the coffee and cause bitterness. The ideal temperature is around 200°, which you can achieve by bringing the water to a boil and then letting it sit one minute.
Old coffee stuck in the filter will impart unpleasant bitterness; we recommend thoroughly cleaning your French Press after each use.
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