What coffee to use in a cafetière: a simple guide to better brewing

The cafetière (or French press, if you prefer) is one of the most popular and accessible ways to brew coffee at home. It’s simple, effective and doesn’t require any special equipment except for a press, hot water, and good-quality coffee. But what kind of coffee works best?

If you’ve ever asked “what coffee should I use in a cafetière?” — this guide is for you.

Why the right coffee matters

Because the cafetière uses immersion brewing, where the coffee steeps in water, it tends to bring out a rich, full-bodied flavour. The method doesn’t filter out the oils like paper-based systems do, so the result is a deeper, more textured cup. That makes coffee choice especially important.

Get it right, and you’ll have a bold, aromatic brew. Get it wrong, and you might end up with bitter, silty coffee or a weak, underwhelming cup.

The best grind size for a cafetière

Start here: use a coarse grind of coffee.

Coarsely ground coffee (similar to sea salt) prevents over-extraction and makes it easier to plunge without clogging the filter. Too fine, and you’ll get a gritty, sludgy cup and possibly damage your cafetière.

If you’re buying from York Emporium, simply select the ‘ground for cafetière’ option at checkout and we’ll take care of it.

Prefer to grind at home? A grinder like the Sage Smart Grinder is a great investment. It gives you control over consistency, which is key for great cafetière coffee.

Which coffee works well in a cafetière?

You’re looking for something with enough body and flavour to stand up to immersion brewing. Here are some York Emporium favourites that perform beautifully:

• The Ninth Blend
  Rich, chocolatey and full-bodied. A go-to for anyone who likes a classic, smooth cup. Great with or without milk.
• Swiss Water Decaf
  Big flavour, zero caffeine. Guilt-free second cups in the evening, without sacrificing taste.
• Americas Selection Pack
  A gift-worthy box of balanced, chocolate-toned coffees from Central and South America — all well-suited to cafetière brewing.
• Colombia Ice
  Surprisingly good hot as well as iced. Its clean red fruit notes and round sweetness come through beautifully in a cafetière.

A quick cafetière brewing guide

Here’s a simple starting method to get the best from your beans:

You’ll need:

• 30g coarsely ground coffee
• 500ml just-off-boil water (around 94–96°C)
• A 3-cup or 8-cup cafetière

Method:

1. Preheat the cafetière with hot water, then discard it.
2. Add the ground coffee to the bottom.
3. Pour in the hot water evenly, covering all the grounds.
4. Stir gently and place the plunger lid on top (don’t plunge yet).
5. Brew for 4 minutes.
6. Slowly press down the plunger and serve immediately.

For a stronger cup, steep for 5 minutes. For a lighter brew, try 3.5 minutes and adjust from there.

How to keep your beans fresh

Cafetière brewing is all about capturing flavour and body and stale beans won’t do you any favours. Always store your coffee in an airtight container, away from moisture, light and heat.

Recommended:

Airscape® Stainless Steel Canister — it actively removes oxygen, helping beans stay fresher for longer.

Final thought: keep it simple, brew it well

There’s no need for complicated gear to make brilliant coffee at home. With a good cafetière, a coarse grind, and fresh, well-chosen beans, you’re already most of the way there.

Ready to upgrade your brew?
Explore our coffee for cafetière brewing »