Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee with a French Press: What Ratio Should You Use?

5 min read MAR 21, 2023

Are you ready to master brewing a perfect cup of coffee with your French press? Whether you're a seasoned barista or just starting in the world of coffee, knowing the right ratio for your French press is a surefire way to ensure each sip is as delicious as possible.

The French press has been a beloved brewing method for years - but getting that perfect balance between water and beans is an influential part when making this delicious beverage.

Looking to take your brew game up a level? Take a look at our guide on how to get optimum satisfaction from every batch using varying ratios.

What's Great About the French Press Method?

Enjoying an incredibly flavorful cup of coffee is just a French Press away. With minimal preparation and effort, you can create the perfect cup with this timeless method.

Brewing coffee with a French press will give you an incredibly rich and full-bodied flavor. It might take some trial and error to perfect your technique, but once you do, it can be counted on for consistently delicious cups.

The French Press brings out the gourmet in everyone with its easy-to-use and unique coffee brewing style. Simply fill your cylindrical pot with freshly ground beans, add hot water to activate them, then let pressure draw a delicious cup of joe straight from the plunger screen as you press down. Your efforts will be rewarded each time by an exclusive blend that only exists within this simple yet elegant process.

It also lets you control the strength of your coffee to your exact preference because it's easy to adjust the amount of grounds used. The design of the French press helps bring out more subtle flavors and aromas, and it's a fairly simple process. Plus, since there's no paper filter needed, all those essential oils remain in the final product for a bolder taste.

Finally, the French press is cheap and easy to find. Most of them are quite affordable, so you don't have to break the bank if you decide this method is for you. Besides, plenty of colors, sizes, and materials are available for those who want something fancier.

So, if you're looking for a coffee brewing method that'll give you rich flavor and a lot of control over the strength of your cup, then the French press could be exactly what you need. Give it a try today. You won't regret it.

How to Make French Press Coffee? Step-by-Step Guide

Struggling to make a good cup of coffee with a French Press? Not anymore. Check out the steps below:

Preparing the water and beans:


Once your water is boiling, turn off the heat and let it cool for at least 30 seconds. While that's cooling, grind your beans using a burr grinder to get a coarse grind - this is specifically needed for making French press coffee. When both the water has cooled down, and your beans are ground, you're ready to move on to the next step.

Fill the French Press:


After ensuring the water has cooled, add the beans to the press and pour in the water. Make sure not to fill it too full.

Brewing your coffee


Now it's time to relax and watch the coffee bloom. Give the grounds a good stir and let the brew steep for about four minutes. Of course, you can experiment with different brewing times to explore flavors - long steeping periods will bring out more flavor in your cup of joe.

Serve and enjoy


Once your coffee is brewed, give it a gentle plunge. Doing so will help push the coffee through the filter and separate some of the grinds. In just a few minutes, you'll have a hot cup of delicious coffee ready for drinking.

What is the Ideal Amount of Coffee for French Press?

The amount of coffee required for your brew depends on your measurements. For the standard system, you should use two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee for every cup of water. If a bolder flavor is desired, add more coffee grounds to taste (start small, though).

As for the metric system, you'll need 50 grams of coffee per liter of water. With this measurement, you can brew approximately four cups - that's a lot of caffeine to jumpstart your morning.

Ultimately, water is the driving force behind any great cup-o'-joe. Getting your brewing temperature just right is key, so never pour boiling liquid on whole beans or grounds - you'll be left with a bitter and burnt taste. Tap water can suffice when it's fresh and filtered. However, if yours isn't up to par, try springwater for an even richer flavor experience.

What Size of Coffee Grind is Ideal for a French Press?

Have you ever wanted to know the secret to making a perfect pot of French Press coffee? It's all in the grind size.

Experts recommend using a burr grinder so that your grounds are just right. Aim for coarseness between 0.75mm and 1mm – too fine; it'll be over-concentrated; too coarse, and it won't give off its full flavor potential.

How Much Coffee for a French Press - Final Verdict


How much coffee should I use in a French press? It's easy - just scoop two tablespoons of grinds for every 8 ounces of water you're making, then multiply that ratio if you want to make more. For example, when brewing four cups worth (32 oz) in a regular-sized French press pot, try using eight heaping scoops.

Besides, other factors such as water quality and temperature, grind size, and steeping time can also affect the quality of your cup. Always use fresh, clean water, a burr grinder to get your coffee grind size right, and stick to the 4-minute mark while brewing in your French press.

So there you have it. With these steps and tips, you can perfect your French press brewing skills in no time - and enjoy a fabulous cup of coffee every day.

Frequently Asked Questions


What Is the ratio of coffee to French press?


We recommend starting with a 1:12 ratio — that's 30 grams of freshly ground beans for every 350 milliliters of water. For the perfect cup, grind your beans coarsely and evenly.

Why does my French press coffee taste so bitter?


When you make French press coffee, it should be enjoyed right away. If you leave the grounds in your cup for too long, they will continue to extract oils that may give your beverage a bitter taste. Another reason could be that you used too much coffee or your grind size is too fine. Adjust the ratio and grind size to get a more balanced cup.

What makes coffee taste thin?


If your coffee tastes thin, you likely used too much water for the amount of coffee grounds. Be sure to measure out coffee and water precisely for a fuller flavor. Additionally, make sure you use fresh beans and grind them with a quality grinder.

An overly coarse grind size can also make your coffee taste too thin. Re-grind with a finer setting and adjust the ratio of grounds to water accordingly.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Medium Roast.

References:
https://www.lifehack.org/374773/6-reasons-why-french-press-makes-the-best-coffee
https://www.javapresse.com/blogs/french-press/beginner-french-press-coffee-questions#
https://grosche.ca/coffee-grind-chart/#
https://greatist.com/eat/how-make-best-french-press-coffee

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