Hey! Let’s talk about how to brew a French Press. If you are ready to try a new brewing method, or want to learn how to level up your coffee then check out the French Press brewing guide below. Download a PDF brewing guide HERE.
First things first, let's gather our supplies:
The Brewer: We’re going to start by using a 32 oz French press.
Coffee Beans: Grab either your favorite tried and true coffee, or branch out and try something new! You can pick up some small batch coffee here.
A Trusty Grinder: Set your grinder to a coarse consistency that's similar to breadcrumbs – too fine and your coffee will be too strong and silty, too chunky and your coffee may taste too thin. Play around with it, whatever you find tastes good and brings you joy in the morning is the right way.
Hot Water: The water's temperature should be around 200°F (93°C). If you don't have a fancy thermometer, just let your water boil and then cool for 30 seconds to a minute.
A Scale: Precision is key! If you really want to level up your coffee game pickup a kitchen scale to measure your coffee and water. Grab one that measures in grams. If you don't have a scale, approximately 1 tbsp is 14 g. However coffee beans vary a lot in density, that’s why the scale is ideal.
Weighing In: The Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Now, let's talk ratios. The standard French Press recipe is based on a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, which means for every 1 gram of coffee, you'll use 15 grams of water. Typical brew ratios are anywhere from 1:15 up to 1:17. For our 32 oz French press, you'll need approximately 53 grams of coffee and 850 ml of water. Personally I use a 1:16 ratio, 60g of coffee and just fill my press to the top about 950ml . Again, there is no right or wrong way, just go with whatever floats your boat.
How to Brew: Step by Step
Optional - Preheat Your French Press: Pour some hot water into your French press and let it sit for a minute. This preheats the vessel and keeps your coffee warmer longer.
Measure Your Coffee: Measure out your preferred amount of coffee.
Grind: Grind the coffee and dump into the bottom of the French press. Give it a little shake to make sure it's evenly distributed.
Boil and Cool the Water: Bring your water to a boil, then let it cool for 30 seconds to a minute.
Bloom: Pour about 30 ml of water over your grounds, or just make sure all the grounds are wet. Let it sit for about 30 seconds – this is the "bloom" stage where the coffee releases some of its carbon dioxide, also possibly the coolest part to watch when brewing coffee.
Brew: Pour the remaining hot water evenly over the coffee, ensuring all the grounds are submerged. Now wait! Let it steep for about 3-4 minutes.
Enjoy: After the 3-4 minutes have passed, give the coffee a little stir, and press down the plunger slowly but steadily. And your coffee is ready to enjoy! .
There you have it, a new way to enjoy your coffee! Remember, brewing coffee is an art, not a science. So feel free to adjust your grind size, water temperature, and steeping time to suit your taste. Whatever brings you joy in the morning.
Happy Brewing!