Free delivery on all orders over £25

Cafédirect
Cafédirect
(0)
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press

How to Brew Coffee with a French Press

Rich, full-bodied coffee made beautifully simple

The French press (or cafetière) is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to brew coffee. Its simple design allows the coffee's natural oils and rich flavours to shine through, creating a smooth, full-bodied cup that's perfect for slow mornings or sharing with friends.

With just a few simple steps, you can bring out the unique flavours shaped by the people and places behind every Cafédirect coffee.

You'll need:

  • Coarsely ground Cafédirect coffee (about the texture of coarse sea salt)
  • 60g coffee per litre of water (or approximately 15g for a 250ml mug)
  • Fresh water heated to 92–96°C (just off the boil)
  • French press
  • Scales
  • Timer
  • Spoon
How to brew
  1. Warm your French press by rinsing it with hot water, then discard the water.
  2. Add your coarsely ground coffee to the
  3. Start your timer and pour in a small amount of hot water, ensuring all of the coffee grounds are evenly saturated. Fresh coffee will naturally bloom as it releases carbon dioxide.
  4. After around 30 seconds, pour in the remaining water.
  5. Give the coffee a gentle stir, then place the lid on with the plunger pulled fully up.
  6. Leave the coffee to brew for 4 minutes.
  7. Slowly press the plunger down with steady, gentle pressure.
  8. Pour and enjoy straight away. If you're not serving all the coffee immediately, transfer any remaining coffee into another jug to prevent over-extraction.
Top Brewing Tips
  • A coarse grind helps create a clean, balanced cup and prevents over-extraction.
  • Use freshly ground coffee whenever possible to enjoy the fullest flavour and aroma.
  • Water that's just off the boil (92–96°C) produces the best extraction.
  • Brew for around four minutes as a starting point, then experiment to suit your taste.
  • If your coffee tastes bitter, try a slightly coarser grind or a shorter brew time. If it tastes weak or sour, try grinding a little finer or brewing for a little longer.

The French press is ideal for coffees with rich chocolate, nut and caramel notes, while still allowing the distinctive characteristics of each origin to shine through.

Filed under Brew Guides
Share
Latest Articles

Explore brew guides, recipes, coffee know-how and equipment.

Visit the blog
Coffee Bean Types and Their Characteristics
Coffee Bean Types and Their Characteristics
How often do you drink coffee?Have you ever stopped to think about the many different types of coffee beans or...
Read article
What is Ground Coffee?
What is Ground Coffee?
An elegant brew that celebrates clarity and flavour.
Read article
Which Country Produces the Most Coffee?
Which Country Produces the Most Coffee?
Coffee has become a huge business and so it is of little surprise that it is now one of the...
Read article
How is Coffee Decaffeinated?
How is Coffee Decaffeinated?
One of the reasons why people enjoy drinking coffee is the stimulatory effect of the caffeine it contains. Consuming caffeine...
Read article
The History of Coffee
The History of Coffee
Coffee remains one of the world’s most popular drinks. Coffee beans are the second-most traded commodity in the global economy...
Read article
Mocha Caramel Cupcakes
Mocha Caramel Cupcakes
Makes: 12 Time: 20 minutes prep + 19 minutes baking + cooling These are rich, moreish and chocolatey Mocha Caramel...
Read article
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew is one of the easiest ways to enjoy coffee at home. Instead of using hot water, coffee is...
Read article
Coffee Ice Cream Recipe
Coffee Ice Cream Recipe
To make coffee iced cream, you will need: 600ml of whole milk 540ml of double cream 300g of granulated sugar...
Read article
Iced coffee, the complete guide (and how to make it)
Iced coffee, the complete guide (and how to make it)
The short of it: Iced coffee is coffee brewed hot, then chilled and poured over ice. If you find your...
Read article
How to make iced coffee at home (easy step-by-step)
How to make iced coffee at home (easy step-by-step)
The short of it: To make iced coffee at home, brew a cup using a little more coffee than usual,...
Read article
Coffee Processing: How Great Flavour Takes Shape
Coffee Processing: How Great Flavour Takes Shape
Long before coffee is roasted or brewed, another important decision has already shaped its flavour. Once coffee cherries are picked,...
Read article
Choosing the Right Coffee Grinder
Choosing the Right Coffee Grinder
One of the simplest ways to make better coffee at home If you're looking to get more flavour from your...
Read article
What Is A Macchiato
What Is A Macchiato
The short of it: A macchiato is an espresso “marked” with a small amount of milk. The word means “marked”...
Read article
Is Coffee Good For You?
Is Coffee Good For You?
The short of it: For most healthy adults, yes. Moderate coffee drinking, up to around four cups (400mg of caffeine)...
Read article
How Much Caffeine Is In Coffee?
How Much Caffeine Is In Coffee?
The short of it: A typical mug of filter coffee contains around 95mg of caffeine. A single espresso has about...
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with an Espresso Machine
How to Brew Coffee with an Espresso Machine
Espresso is at the heart of many of the world's favourite coffee drinks. Brewed under pressure, it produces a small...
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with an AeroPress
How to Brew Coffee with an AeroPress
The AeroPress has become a favourite with coffee lovers thanks to its versatility, simplicity and ability to brew an exceptionally...
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with a V60
How to Brew Coffee with a V60
The V60 is loved for its ability to bring out the delicate flavours and aromas that make every coffee unique....
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with a Moka Pot
How to Brew Coffee with a Moka Pot
The Moka Pot has been a favourite in kitchens for generations. Invented in Italy, this simple stovetop brewer creates a...
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press
The French press (or cafetière) is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to brew coffee. Its simple design...
Read article
How to Brew Coffee with a Chemex
How to Brew Coffee with a Chemex
The Chemex is as beautiful to look at as it is to brew with. Its distinctive design and specially thick...
Read article
Cafédirect
We put growers first
Growers first
Cafédirect
We work With Nature
Our environment
Cafédirect
We do business differently
How we work
Get news stories, brewing tips, and special offers straight to your inbox.
Follow us
Coffee done right.
Wholesale from Cafédirect.
Trusted coffee brands and private label solutions for foodservice, hospitality and workplaces. salessupport@cafedirect.co.uk
Choose options
Brew guide
Whole bean

Maximum freshness and flexibility. Grind to suit your preferred brewing method.

Best for:
Bean-to-cup machines
Espresso machines
Moka Pots
AeroPress
Pour Over
Filter coffee
Cafetières

Ground

A versatile everyday grind. Ground to suit a range of popular brewing methods.

Best for:
Cafetières
Filter coffee
Pour Over
AeroPress

Cafédirect
Want to get more from your coffee?
Our brew guide can help
Free UK delivery
Free UK delivery

Spend £25 or more and delivery’s on us. We’ll send your order by Royal Mail Tracked 48. Orders under £25 cost £2.95 to deliver.

Delivery Times

We aim to get your coffee to you within 5 working days – and it’s often sooner. 

See our delivery guide for more details.

UK Delivery Only

For now, we can only deliver to UK addresses. We’d love to send Cafédirect further afield and hope to offer international delivery in the future.