French Press Brewing Guide
What You'll Need
- French press
- Kettle
- Digital scale
- Timer
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
- Stirring spoon (wooden or plastic preferred)
The Recipe
Coffee
30g
Water
500g
Ratio
1:16.7
This recipe yields approximately two cups of coffee. You can adjust the quantities to suit your needs while maintaining the ratio.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation
Heat fresh water to 93-96°C (200-205°F). Preheat your French press by filling it with hot water, then discard the water.
Grind & Dose
Grind 30g of coffee to a coarse consistency (similar to sea salt). Add the ground coffee to the French press.
Initial Pour
Start your timer. Pour 60g of water (about twice the weight of coffee) and gently stir to ensure all grounds are saturated. This initial bloom releases CO2 and prepares the coffee for extraction.
Main Pour
After 30 seconds, slowly pour the remaining water (up to 500g total) in a circular motion. Give the mixture another gentle stir.
Steep
Place the plunger on top of the French press but do not press down. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
Break the Crust
After the 4-minute steep, gently stir the top layer of coffee to break the crust that has formed. Scoop off any remaining foam from the surface.
Press & Serve
Slowly press the plunger down with steady pressure. Once fully pressed, pour the coffee immediately into cups or a separate carafe to prevent over-extraction.
Troubleshooting
Coffee tastes weak
Try using a finer grind (but still coarse), increase your coffee-to-water ratio, or extend the brew time by 30 seconds.
Coffee tastes bitter
Use a coarser grind, decrease the brew time, or make sure you're pouring all the coffee out after pressing to prevent continued extraction.
Too much sediment in cup
Use a coarser grind, press more slowly, or let the coffee settle for 1-2 minutes after pressing before pouring.