How do you make French press coffee?
Quick answer
Use 20 g coarse-ground coffee per 300 ml water (about 1:15), water near 93 °C (200 °F), steep 4 minutes after a quick stir, then press slowly. Pour immediately — leaving coffee on the grounds makes it bitter.
Step by step
- Heat water to boil, then rest 30 seconds (~93 °C).
- Add coffee — coarse grind, like sea salt.
- Pour and stir — saturate all grounds; start timer.
- Steep 4 minutes — lid on, plunger up.
- Press and pour — gentle pressure; don't squeeze the sludge.
Common questions
Why is my French press muddy? Grind too fine or pressed too hard. Go coarser.
Why is it bitter? Steeped too long or water too hot. Try 3:30 and cooler water.
French press vs pour over? French press = fuller body; pour over = cleaner cup. See the comparison.
Run the French press timer and check grams in the ratio calculator.