French Press
How to Make Espresso in a French Press
Coffee lovers worldwide have enjoyed rich, robust espresso for decades. But what if you don’t have an espresso machine at home? Can you still enjoy that intense coffee shot? Absolutely! With a French press, it can brew a coffee that closely resembles the strength and flavor of an espresso. Let’s dive into the world of making espresso with a French press.
A common French Press
Why Use a French Press?
Before we begin, it’s essential to understand that while a French press can’t replicate the exact characteristics of a traditional espresso (which requires high pressure to extract), it can produce a concentrated coffee that mimics the strength and flavor of espresso. Here’s why using a French press is a game-changer:
- Easy to Use: No complicated settings or machinery. Just your French press, coffee, and water.
- Versatile: Experiment with grind sizes and steeping times to find your perfect brew.
- Affordable: A French press is generally cheaper than most espresso machines.
Let’s Brew That “Espresso”!
- Choose Your Coffee Beans:
Opt for a dark roast for that classic espresso flavor.
- Grind the Beans:
- For a Strong Brew, Use a fine grind.
- For a Lighter Brew: Opt for a coarser grind.
- Measure and Heat the Water:
Use filtered water and heat it to around 200°F (93°C). The water quality can drastically affect your brew’s taste.
- Combine Coffee and Water:
For every cup of water, use 2 tablespoons of coffee. Adjust to your preference.
- Steep:
- For a Strong Brew, Let it steep for 4 minutes.
- For a Lighter Brew, Steep for a longer time, around 7-8 minutes.
- Plunge:
Slowly press down the plunger. Ensure you’re gentle to prevent agitation and avoid over-extraction, which can make the coffee bitter.
Want a Latte or Cappuccino? Froth That Milk!
Heat some milk (using a microwave or stovetop). Pour it into your French press and rapidly move the plunger up and down. This action will froth the milk, giving you that creamy texture perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re looking for an alternative to the French press for a more espresso-like experience, consider using an AeroPress. It operates on a similar principle but can generate more pressure, resulting in a brew even closer to traditional espresso.
In Conclusion
If you want to enjoy a strong cup of coffee without purchasing an expensive machine, making espresso in a French press is a great alternative. It may differ from the traditional method, but it’s worth experimenting with and adjusting to your personal taste. Remember, the key to success is to experiment. So, grab that French press and start brewing!
How To Make Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee is a simple and rustic brew, often associated with campfires and the outdoors. While it doesn’t require fancy equipment, there are a few tips to make a decent cup:
Ingredients:
- Coarsely ground coffee: About two tablespoons per 8 ounces of water.
- Water: Fresh, cold water.
Equipment:
- Pot: A heat-resistant pot or kettle.
- Heat source: Campfire, stovetop, or other heat source.
Instructions:
- Heat the water: Bring the water to a boil in the pot.
- Remove from heat: Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat source.
- Add coffee: Add the coffee to the hot water.
- Stir: Give it a good stir to ensure all the grounds are wet.
- Steep: Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes.
- Settle the grounds: Gently tap the pot’s side or add a splash of cold water to help the grounds settle.
- Pour slowly: Carefully pour the coffee.
Tips:
- Use good quality coffee: While cowboy coffee is simple, using good quality, coarsely ground beans will make a big difference in taste.
- Adjust the amount of coffee: Experiment to find the coffee-to-water ratio you prefer.
- Filter if desired: If you dislike coffee grounds in your cup, you can filter the coffee as you pour using a bandana or cheesecloth.
Alternative method:
Some people also add the coffee grounds to the cold water before bringing it to a boil. This can extract more flavor but might result in a grittier cup.
Best Coffee For French Press
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 is both robust and nuanced. Unlike paper-filter methods like drip or pour-over, the French press allows more natural oils and solids to pass through, resulting in a heavier body and richer mouthfeel — it is part of what makes French press coffee so satisfying.
To get the most out of your French press, it is crucial to use the right grind size (coarse), water temperature (just below boiling, around 200°F), and brewing time (around 4 minutes). If you need a refresher on technique, our complete French press brewing guide walks you through it step by step. 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 roasts offer delicate, floral or fruity notes with higher acidity — they can work in a French press but are less common for this method. Medium roasts are the most popular choice, providing a balanced flavor profile with moderate acidity and notes of nuts, caramel, or chocolate. Dark roasts are bold and robust with lower acidity — a classic French press pairing — but be mindful of over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness.
Origin: Single-origin beans come from a specific region or farm and offer a unique flavor profile reflecting the terroir. Exploring single origins — like Ethiopian, Guatemalan, or Papua New Guinea — is a great way to discover the diverse flavors of coffee. Blends combine beans from different origins to create a balanced and consistent flavor, which can be a good starting point for beginners.
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 are seeking. Do you enjoy a bright, acidic coffee or prefer something more mellow and rich? If acidity is a concern, our low-acid coffee guide has you covered.
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 have 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. If you are grinding at home, a burr grinder is the best way to get a consistent coarse grind for French press.
- Single origin from the Tarrazu region
- Light, clean flavor with notes of nuts, honey, and caramel
- Kosher certified
- Grind options include whole bean, French press, drip, and espresso grind
2: Stone Street Organic Coffee Coarse Ground Dark Roast
We are big fans of Stone 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 is perfect for throwing in the French press — no grinder needed. It is low acid with a slight sweetness and is very balanced. The Colombian Supremo beans have a full flavor that is smooth and satisfying. Certified kosher, this handmade and premium coffee will leave you wanting more. Stone Street also makes an excellent cold brew if you want to try these beans that way.
- Dark roast, single origin
- Coarse grind or whole bean
- Low acid with slight sweetness
- 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 is a dark roast, it has low acidity and should be easier on the digestive system. If acidity is something you are trying to avoid, pairing a dark roast like this with good water for coffee will help even more. 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 — Volcanica’s darkest roast
- Smoky with notes of cherry, lemon, and chocolate
- Low acidity, kosher certified
- 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 made for French press and cold brew. 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. It is also super well reviewed and one of the more inexpensive options on this list — a great pick if you want to try a dedicated French press coffee without spending a lot.
- Small business, family-owned (fourth generation)
- Coarse ground specifically for French press and cold brew
- 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 from 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 — exactly the kind of characteristics that a French press amplifies beautifully. Sumatran coffees in general tend to be naturally lower in acidity, which makes them a great fit for anyone with a sensitive stomach.
- Less forward than a French Roast
- Single origin from Indonesia
- Complex flavor with an herbal nuance and syrup-like body
- 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 will 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 — if you want to understand why darker roasts are less acidic, our light roast vs. dark roast guide explains it. Highly regarded for its coffee competence, Gevalia is also Rainforest Alliance Certified.
- Well-balanced flavor, smooth and non-bitter
- Coarse ground — ready for French press
- Highly regarded, Rainforest Alliance Certified
- Kosher
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 roast 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. If you enjoy this coffee and want to try making cold brew at home, these same beans are perfect for that too — and the cold brew process will make the acidity even lower.
- USDA certified organic
- Low acidity dark roast
- Coarsely ground — ready for French press
- 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 grind, it is perfect for French press coffee. The espresso blend gives it extra punch compared to a standard French press coffee — great if you like your morning cup strong or if you are making a cold brew latte.
- USDA certified organic
- Espresso blend gives extra punch
- Notes of chocolate, berry, and brown sugar
- Coarse ground, excellent reviews
Tips for Getting the Best French Press Coffee
Having the right beans is half the battle. Here are a few more things that make a real difference:
Grind fresh whenever possible. Pre-ground coffee starts losing flavor within minutes of grinding. If you can, buy whole bean and grind right before brewing. A burr grinder gives you the most consistent coarse grind for French press — a blade grinder tends to produce uneven particles that lead to over-extraction and bitterness. If you are looking for an affordable option, check out our picks for the best coffee grinder under $100.
Use the right ratio. A good starting point is about 1 gram of coffee per 15 grams of water (roughly 1:15). Our coffee ratio chart can help you dial in the exact amount for your press size.
Water quality matters. Your coffee is 98% water, so what comes out of the tap directly affects the taste. Using filtered water — even a simple pitcher filter — can noticeably improve your brew.
Do not skip the cleanup. French press mesh filters trap oils that go rancid over time. A thorough rinse after every brew and a periodic deep clean will prevent yesterday’s coffee from ruining today’s cup.
Experiment with brew time. Four minutes is the standard, but if your coffee tastes bitter, try pulling it back to 3:30. If it tastes thin or sour, push it to 4:30. Small adjustments make a big difference.
Conclusion
Our favorite coffee of the bunch for French press is the Volcanica Costa Rican Dark Roast for its clean, single-origin flavor and flexible grind options — but honestly, every coffee on this list makes an excellent cup in a French press. The key is matching the roast and origin to your personal taste, grinding coarse, and using good water and the right ratio.
If you are new to French press brewing, start with our step-by-step French press guide to nail the technique. And if you want to explore other brewing methods, we also have guides for moka pot, AeroPress, and cold brew.