Brew guide · French press · Updated 2026-08-10
The Best French Press Ratio
The most forgiving brew method — full-bodied, simple and perfect for beginners.
We may earn a commission from affiliate links. This never affects our verdicts.
Live calculator
Step by step
- 1
Heat and grind(0:00)
Boil water and grind 30 g of coffee coarse (sea-salt texture). Coarse is critical — fine grounds slip through the mesh and over-extract.
- 2
Add coffee and bloom(0:00 - 0:30)
Add grounds, pour 90 g of water, and stir to saturate. Let it bloom for 30 seconds.
- 3
Fill and steep(0:30 - 4:00)
Pour the rest of the water to 420 g, place the lid on (plunger up) and steep for 3.5-4 minutes.
- 4
Press and pour(4:00)
Press the plunger down slowly, then pour immediately. Leaving the coffee on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter — decant or drink now.
Barista tips
- Use the James Hoffmann method: scoop the foam, don't plunge, wait a minute longer.
- Coarse grind is non-negotiable.
- Preheat the press with hot water for a hotter cup.
Gear for this brew
The best-value burr grinder we've tested — espresso-grade fine adjustments with the brand's legendary serviceability.
The definitive flat-burr grinder for pour-over and filter — fast, quiet and brutally consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of Awin and Impact, we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.