Hey there, you caffeine-crazed connoisseurs! You’re here because you want to master the French press, huh? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Forget those weak, watery attempts at a cuppa. We’re diving deep into the abyss of full-bodied, kick-ass coffee that’ll make your taste buds say, “Hell yeah!”
French press is all about that long steeping game. You don’t want a grind that’s gonna dissolve into your cup. Aim for a coarse grind, kinda like breadcrumbs. This ensures that you’re gonna get that full extraction without any of the grit.
If you want to make the best coffee for French press, you gotta start with some killer beans. I’m talking Arabica —the Jimi Hendrix of the coffee world. Go for beans that have been roasted within the past week. Freshness is key. Flavor-wise, aim for profiles that scream nutty or chocolatey goodness. Those are the notes that’ll make your French press coffee a headliner, not a garage band.
The best coffee beans for a French press is entirely dependent on your taste and preferences, however there are some guidelines that might help you in your search. The goal of this article is to help outline these guidelines so you can make killer French press coffee on your own.
Best French Press Coffee Beans
1: Volcanica Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee
Volcanica is a company that focuses on high quality single origin coffee and they’ve got a highly regarded Costa Rican Dark Roast from the Tarrazu region. The Tarrazu region is known for producing some of the best coffee in the world with a light and clean flavor. Roasted until the natural oils come to the surface of the bean, it has a beautiful sheen and full color with notes of nuts, honey and caramel. It is also, kosher certified so you can bank on a very clean and natural single origin coffee bean. You can either get them ground for a French press or grind them yourself from whole beans.
- Single origin
- Light flavor
- Notes of nuts, honey, caramel
- Kosher
- Grind options include whole bean, French press, drip, and espresso grind
2: Stack Street Organic Coffee Coarse Ground Dark Roast
We’re big fans of Stack Street’s offering because it is affordable, and delicious. Made from single sourced 100% Arabica beans, this organic dark roast is perfect for French press coffee. This one in particular comes coarsely ground, so it’s perfect for throwing in the French Press. It is low acid with a slight sweetness and very balanced. It’s smooth and the Colombian supremo coffee beans have a full flavor. Certified kosher, this handmade and premium coffee will leave you wanted more!
- Dark roast
- Single origin
- Coarse grind or whole bean
- Low acid
- Colombian Supremo
- Kosher, USDA Organic
3: Volcanica French Roast Coffee
Volcanica is back with their Dark French Roast. This is Volcanica’s darkest roast which brings all the natural oils to the surface of the bean to produce a very rich and complex flavor that smells incredible. This coffee is smoky and pungent and since it’s a dark roast, is low acidity and should be easier on the digestive system. Flavor notes include cherry, lemon, and chocolate. Certified to be kosher. You can either get them ground for a French press or grind them yourself from whole beans.
- Single origin
- Smoky with notes of cherry, lemon, chocolate
- Kosher
- Grind options include whole bean, French press, drip, and espresso grind
4: Primos Coffee Co French Press Specialty Coffee, Coarse Ground
Primos Coffee Co’s French Press Specialty Coffee is our top choice for a few reasons. Straight from the bag, Primos is a coarse coffee specifically for French press and cold brew making. Made with 100% Arabica beans from their fourth generation family farm in Nicaragua, it is strictly shade grown and harvested by hand. Medium roasted, this mild coffee is delightful and smooth, made for the easy drinker.
- Small business, family owned
- Super well reviewed
- Inexpensive
5: Peet’s Coffee Sumatra Dark Roast
Peet’s Coffee Sumatra Dark Roast makes our list because it makes for an excellent cup with a French press. This is a single origin coffee form the Indo-Pacific that makes for a complex flavor with a herbal nuance. Wet-hulled and hand processed, this coffee comes from small landholders in Indonesia. They are known for a hand washed coffee that brings a syrup-like flavor and a full body.
- Less forward than a French Roast
- Single origin
- Complex flavor with herbal nuance
- Supports small coffee producers
- Roasted, sealed, shipped directly to your doorstep
6: Gevalia Special Reserve Costa Rica Single Origin Medium Roast Ground Coffee
Gevalia’s Costa Rican medium roast is a single origin 100% Arabica coffee bean that comes from the volcanic soil of their highland valleys. Slow roasted, you’ll experience a smooth, non-bitter, and kosher experience. This coffee is roasted on the darker side of medium, so you can expect less acidity and bitterness. Highly regarded for their coffee competence, Gevalia is also Rainforest Alliance Certified.
- Well balanced flavor
- Coarse ground
- Highly regarded & Rainforest Alliance Certified
7: Cold Brew Lab Organic Dark Roast Coarse Ground Coffee
What is a Cold Brew Lab coffee doing on this list? I thought cold brew coffee was only for cold brew?! Well… That is not always the case. Cold Brew Lab brings its dark roast coarsely ground coffee to this list because it checks all the right boxes for French press coffee. USDA certified organic, this 100% Arabica Colombian coffee comes from Colombian supremo beans which pack maximum flavor in a large bean. Roasted in New York City, this dark toast brings a smooth yet bold flavor with a slight sweetness. The dark roast makes for low acidity which will leave you energized and your digestive system will thank you for it.
- Certified organic
- Low acidity
- Coarsely ground
- Highly regarded for smooth taste
8: Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Espresso Blend
Here we go again with another cold brew coffee on our list for French press! Why? Because this Bizzy espresso blend brings all the needed goods to the table! Dark-medium roast, certified organic by the USDA, you can rest easy knowing that this coffee was ethically sourced from Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua. With notes of chocolate, berry, and brown sugar, this blend will have your taste buds blooming. With a coarse ground it is perfect for French press coffee.
- Certified organic
- Espresso blend gives extra punch
- Excellent reviews
The Best Coffee For French Press Is Volcanica Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee
Volcanica Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee is our pick because it brings the best of everything to the table. Single origin with a delicious flavor, Volcanica produces some of the finest beans on the market today. We also feel that this coffee is going to be the freshest out of all the options as it’s coming directly from the producer and skips the warehouse. If you want the freshest coffee and the best bang for your buck, get the whole bean coffee and grind it yourself. Something like 60% of the aroma is lost within the first 15 minutes of opening a bag of coffee. If you grind the coffee as you use it, you’ll get to enjoy that more.
How To Make French Press Coffee: Unleash the Magic 🎩✨
Look, coffee is a personal journey. Feel free to play with:
- Grind Size: If your coffee tastes like a rejected demo tape, you might need to adjust the coarseness.
- Water Temperature: Aim for hot, but not boiling. You don’t want to scald the rockstar.
- Steeping Time: More time = stronger coffee. But don’t overdo it unless you want to go from Led Zeppelin to Death Metal in a sip.
Alright, here’s the deal on brewing. French Press coffee needs a little extra time to shine – around 4 minutes to be exact. And don’t forget to use water just off the boil, around 195-205°F (or 90-96°C). Let that coffee magic happen!
French Press Coffee Ratio
The coffee to water ratio for French press coffee is typically around 1:15. This means that for every 1 gram of coffee, you will use 15 grams of water.
To make a cup of French press coffee, you will need about 8 ounces (240 ml) of water and about 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of coarsely ground coffee. You can adjust the amount of coffee and water to taste. Some people prefer a stronger coffee, so they may use more coffee, while others prefer a weaker coffee and use less. If you need a French press, I like Bodum.
How To Use a French Press
I’m using a 34 ounce Bodum French Press which really holds about 32 ounces of water.
1: Begin heating 4 cups of filtered water. Ideal temperature is 195-205 degrees F.
2: Measure or weigh about 64 grams / 12 Tbsp of coffee. Add to the French press.
If you like a slightly weaker coffee, use 10 Tbsp of coffee. If you like stronger coffee, try 16 Tbsp.
3: At boil, remove from heat and let cool for 30 seconds. Add enough water to the French press to bloom the coffee. This will give the water a chance to extract the coffee’s oils for maximum flavor. Set a 30 second timer.
4: Continue to add water and fill the carafe. Cover and set a 4 minute timer.
5: Press down the plunger to push the grounds to the bottom of the carafe. Take it slow. Pushing hard and fast is only going to negatively impact the flavor.
Best Coffee Grinder For French Press
The best coffee grinder for a French press is going to be a Burr grinder, one that allows for a coarse setting like this Javapresse manual grinder. A Burr grinder is in my opinion a better choice than blade grinders because instead of using a blade that unevenly shreds beans, it has two ceramic plates with 18 settings for a perfect and consistent grind every time. This allows for much better control over the coffee grind size for consistency. It also gives the coffee an even extraction and flavor. This grinder happens to be extremely durable, and should last a very long time.
The Final Encore: Unveiling the Ultimate Coffee Beans for Your French Press 🤘☕
Alright, you java-loving rebels, we’ve shredded through the solos, amped up the volume, and now it’s time for the grand finale. When it comes to the best coffee beans for French press, remember these key points: Go for Arabica beans that are as fresh as a new album drop, aim for flavor notes that resonate with your soul, and always—always—grind ’em coarse to let the natural flavors take center stage.
Your French press is more than just a brewer; it’s your stage, and the beans are your main act. So choose beans that are gonna rock your world, from that first aroma to the last lingering note on your palate. Whether you’re a coffee veteran or a newbie looking to dive into the mosh pit, the right beans will make your French press coffee not just a drink, but an experience—a full-bodied, kick-ass, standing-ovation-worthy experience.
So go ahead, unleash your inner barista rockstar, and make every cup of French press coffee a sold-out show. Until next time, keep rockin’, keep brewin’, and may your coffee be as badass as you are. 🤘☕