What is French Press brewing?

The French Press (also known as a cafetière) is an immersion method: coarse-ground coffee steeps in hot water, then a mesh plunger is pressed through the brew to separate the grounds. This direct-contact extraction produces a full-bodied coffee with rich oils and a little sediment.

What is the French Press method good for?

It’s ideal if you enjoy richer coffees with heavier texture and want a simple method that can brew larger batches of coffee (or tea).

What you’ll need

French Press
The main brewer. A mesh plunger separates grounds from the coffee after steeping.
Coffee beans (whole bean for freshness, or cafetière grind if you don’t have a grinder)
Fresh beans keep aromatics and oils. If you’re not grinding at home, choose our cafetière grind and we’ll prep it perfectly.
Coffee grinder (if grinding yourself)
Use a medium–coarse grind, like sea salt/breadcrumbs. Too fine will slip through the mesh and taste bitter and silty.
Kettle
Heat water to about 92–96°C. A gooseneck isn’t essential.
Filtered water
Improves clarity and taste by reducing chlorine, metals, and impurities.
Scales
For accurate coffee-to-water ratios and consistency.
Timer
Steep time control matters.
Spoon/Stirrer
Breaks the “crust” so all grounds are evenly saturated.

What is the brew ratio?

1:15 — 1 g coffee for every 15 ml water.

Example: 30 g coffee → 450 ml water. Scale up or down to suit your press size or servings.

Best York Emporium coffees for French Press

1. Rwanda Ruli – Light Roast
Butter • Grapefruit • Blueberry
Shop Rwanda Ruli
Juicy and complex with a silky body. French Press draws out creamy sweetness while balancing citrus brightness.

2. Nicaragua Finca Los Ángeles – Light Roast
Caramel • Green Apple • White Grape
Shop Nicaragua Finca
Smooth and rounded with soft acidity. French Press boosts caramel depth and lets gentle fruit notes sing.

Step-by-step French Press guide

Preheat the press — Rinse with hot water to warm the vessel.
Boil water — Heat filtered water to ~93°C (boil, then rest ~30 seconds).
Grind coffee — 30 g, coarsely (sea-salt size). Avoid fine grinds.
Add grounds — Tip into the warmed press.
Pour water — Start timer. Add 450 ml hot water, saturating all grounds; fill halfway, wait ~30 s, then top up.
Stir gently — Break the crust for even extraction.
Optional: skim — Scoop off foam/floating bits for a cleaner, smoother cup.
Lid on, plunger up — Steep for 4 minutes.
Press slowly — Steady, gentle pressure; if it’s hard to press, the grind is too fine.
Serve immediately — Don’t leave coffee sitting in the press (it will over-extract and turn bitter).

Coffee Tips!

Experiment with steep time to find your preferred strength.
Always preheat the press for a stable brew temperature.

What flavour profile to expect

The French Press is known for:

Full body — rich, thick, and smooth.
Bold flavour — more intense than pour-over/filter.
Natural oils — no paper filter, so a deeper, more luxurious mouthfeel.
Slight sediment — a little texture at the bottom is normal.

Expect more of the coffee’s low notes: chocolate, caramel, nuts, spice, and deeper fruit. Bright, citrusy coffees will taste rounder and more mellow.

Troubleshooting your French Press brew

Does it taste bitter or overpowering?

Cause: Over-extracted (steeped too long) — Fix: Reduce steep to 3–3.5 minutes.
Cause: Grind too fine — Fix: Go coarser (sea-salt size).
Cause: Coffee left in the press after plunging — Fix: Decant immediately.
Cause: Water too hot — Fix: Brew around 92–96°C (195–205°F).

Other contributors: very dark roasts (naturally more bitter), a dirty press, or stale beans.

Does it taste weak or watery?

Cause: Too much water or too little coffee — Fix: Use the 1:15 ratio and/or increase dose.
Cause: Grind too coarse — Fix: Go a little finer.
Cause: Water too cool — Fix: Heat appropriately.
Cause: Poor water quality — Fix: Use filtered or bottled water.

Also ensure you stir to fully saturate the grounds and use fresh beans.

Is it sludgy or gritty?

Cause: Grind too fine — Fix: Coarsen the grind.
Cause: Disturbed grounds — Fix: Pour and serve gently to avoid resuspending particles.

French Press Brew Guide