A French press is the simplest way to make a rich, full-bodied cup. Because it uses a metal mesh filter instead of paper, more of the coffee's natural oils end up in your mug. That changes which coffees taste best in it.
What makes a coffee good for French press
- Coarse grind. Coarse grounds steep evenly for 4 minutes and stay behind the filter. Fine grounds turn the cup muddy and bitter.
- Medium to medium-dark roast. These roasts bring out body, chocolate and caramel, which the press amplifies.
- Lower to medium acidity. Very bright coffees can taste sharp with full immersion. Rounder coffees taste smoother.
Every coffee we sell comes in coarse grind. Pick it on the product page.
Our top picks for French press
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Sumatra
Deep and heavy, with black tea, brown spice and a twist of citrus. A classic French press coffee.
Shop Sumatra · $24.99 -
Bali Blue
Rich and clean, with baker's chocolate, orange peel and molasses.
Shop Bali Blue · $24.99 -
Brazil Santos
Smooth and easygoing, with mandarin orange and chocolate. Great if you take cream.
Shop Brazil Santos · $24.99 -
Cowboy Blend
Cocoa, caramel and vanilla tones. Built for a big mug on a cold morning.
Shop Cowboy Blend · $24.99
Want something brighter?
If you like a livelier cup, French press works with lighter coffees too. Try Costa Rica Tarrazú for pineapple and blackberry, or Colombia Tolima for dark chocolate with juicy mango and peach. Use the same coarse grind and 4 minute steep.
The basic French press recipe
- Use about 1 part coffee to 15 parts water. For a 12 oz mug, that's roughly 24 grams of coarse coffee.
- Heat water to about 195 to 205°F (just off the boil).
- Pour, stir gently, put the lid on and wait 4 minutes.
- Press slowly and pour right away so it doesn't keep extracting.
Full steps and troubleshooting are in our French press guide.
Can't decide? Try a few
The easiest way to find your French press coffee is to taste a few. Build a Box with any 3 coarse grind coffees to save 10%, or 6 to save 15%.
FAQ
Can I use regular ground coffee in a French press?
You can, but standard grind is finer than ideal. It can pass through the mesh and over-extract, making the cup gritty and bitter. Coarse grind works best.
Is dark roast better for French press?
Medium to medium-dark is the sweet spot for most people. Very dark roasts can taste smoky and bitter with a full 4 minute steep.
How much coffee do I use for a French press?
About 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. For a standard 34 oz press, that's around 60 to 65 grams.
