French Press Coffee: A Simple Way to Make Really Good Coffee Anywhere
There’s nothing better than a French press when you’re car camping, traveling, or just don’t have time to dial everything in perfectly.
It’s simple. It works. And it’s forgiving.
Not every great cup of coffee comes from a perfectly executed recipe. Sometimes it has more to do with where you are, what you’re looking at, or who you’re with when you’re drinking it.
We spend a lot of time dialing in coffee, especially when we’re working with higher-end lots or trying to get everything perfect for espresso or pour over. But honestly, sometimes a clean French press hits the spot more than anything else.
There’s a weight to it. A simplicity. It doesn’t ask much from you, and it still delivers.
The Ratio
Keep it simple. If you want a solid starting point:
1:15 coffee to water ratio
That looks like:
- 30g coffee: 450g water
- 40g coffee: 600g water
You don’t need to obsess over it.
If it tastes too strong, back the coffee off a bit.
If it tastes thin, add a little more.
French press is forgiving, that’s part of the appeal.
Grind Size
This Is Where Most People Go Wrong. If your French press has ever tasted muddy or bitter, it’s almost always grind size.
You want:
Coarse grind (think sea salt)
- Too fine: heavy, bitter, over-extracted
- Too coarse: weak and hollow
We see this all the time, even in cafés. Grind size alone can completely change the result.
Water
This Is the variable most people miss. Coffee is mostly water, and it’s probably the most overlooked part of brewing at home.
This is something I’ve spent a lot of time on.
At the 2023 US Coffee Roaster Championship Semi-Final, I did a five-minute dissertation that was almost entirely focused on TDS (total dissolved solids) and mineral content in water, and how that affects what ends up in the cup, not just for judges, but for customers every day.
Because you can buy great coffee, brew it correctly, and still get a flat or harsh result if the water isn’t right.
I’ve also worked on water recipes alongside Matt Webster at Ocean Republic Brewing, and the takeaway is always the same:
Water isn’t a small variable, it’s one of the biggest.
Making It Easy at Home
That’s why we include a packet of Third Wave Water Classic Profile with every order.
It treats one gallon of distilled water and gives you a consistent mineral profile designed specifically for coffee.
How to use it:
- Start with distilled or reverse osmosis water
- Add the packet
- Shake
That’s it.
It removes one of the biggest unknowns in brewing and makes everything more consistent.
Simple French Press Method
Here’s the method we recommend:
- Add Coffee: Add your coarse ground coffee to the press.
- Bloom: Pour just enough hot water to saturate the grounds. Let it sit for about 30 to 45 seconds.
- Add Remaining Water: Pour up to your full amount.
- Let It Sit: Give it about 4 minutes.
- Light Stir + Rest: Give it a gentle stir. Let it sit another minute or two.
- Press: Press slowly, don’t force it.
That’s it. No need to overcomplicate it.
Why French Press Works So Well
French press uses a metal filter instead of paper, which means more of the coffee’s natural oils stay in the cup.
That gives you:
- more body
- more texture
- a fuller overall feel
It’s not as “clean” as pour over, but that’s kind of the point.
What Coffee Works Best
French press tends to favor coffees with a little more development, something with body and structure.
From our lineup, coffees like:
all work really well here.
They’ve got a bit more oil content and a deeper roast profile, which translates into a fuller, more satisfying cup in an immersion brew like French press.
Final Thought
You don’t need perfect conditions to make great coffee.
Sometimes it’s early morning, you’re outside, maybe you didn’t measure everything exactly, and it still ends up being one of the best cups you’ve had.
That’s French press.
Simple, forgiving, and when done right, really, really good.
Explore Coffees That Work Best for French Press
If you’re looking for something with more body and a little more depth, start there, and don’t overthink the rest.
