The French press, also known as a cafetière or press pot, is a simple yet elegant device that steeps coarsely ground coffee in hot water. A mesh plunger then filters out the grounds, leaving you with a flavorful brew that’s both robust and nuanced. Unlike other coffee making methods, the French press allows more natural oils and solids to pass through, resulting in a unique texture and mouthfeel.
To get the most out of your French press, it’s crucial to use the right grind size (coarse), water temperature (just below boiling), and brewing time (around 4 minutes). But even with perfect technique, the quality of your coffee beans will ultimately determine the final taste.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Coffee for French Press
Click here for my favorite coffee for the French press
Choosing the best coffee for French press involves considering three main factors:
- Roast Level:
- Light Roast: These beans offer delicate flavors with higher acidity, often showcasing floral or fruity notes. While not as common for French press, they can offer a brighter cup.
- Medium Roast: This is a popular choice for French press, providing a balanced flavor profile with moderate acidity. You’ll often find nuts, caramel, or chocolate notes in medium roasts.
- Dark Roast: Dark roasts are known for their bold, robust flavors with lower acidity. Expect notes of dark chocolate, spice, or even a smoky aroma. They’re a classic choice for French press, but be mindful of over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness.
- Origin:
- Single Origin: These beans come from a specific region or farm, offering a unique flavor profile reflecting the terroir (the environmental factors influencing coffee growth). Exploring single origins is a great way to discover the diverse flavors of coffee from around the world.
- Blend: Blends combine beans from different origins to create a balanced and consistent flavor. They can be a good starting point for beginners or those who prefer a more familiar taste.
- Flavor Profile:
- The world of coffee flavors is vast, ranging from fruity and floral to nutty, chocolatey, and earthy. Consider your personal preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking. Do you enjoy a bright, acidic coffee or prefer something more mellow and rich?
Top Coffee Recommendations for French Press
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 100% Arabica beans sourced from a single source, 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 is 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 wanting 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, it has low acidity and should be easier on the digestive system. Flavor notes include cherry, lemon, and chocolate. It is certified to be kosher. You can either get it ground for a French press or grind it 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 several 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 an herbal nuance
- Supports small coffee producers
- Roasted, sealed, and 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 its 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