6 Best Coffees For French Press (2024): Grind & Brands
French press coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life! Learn the best roast type, grind, and brand of coffee for your French press so you’re sure to brew the perfect cup. I also share a simple French press coffee recipe.
French Press Coffee
The French press is a filterless coffee pot (usually a stainless steel or glass carafe) where you brew ground coffee and use a plunger to press the coffee grounds down to the bottom of the carafe. This is different from drip coffee makers that don’t have a coffee plunger.
The result of this brewing method is deliciously rich coffee. It’s unique design allows the natural essential oils of the bean to flow through to your cup, which gives you that richness in both flavor and texture.
French press coffee is deceptively simple to make—you just need to make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need hot water, a French press coffee maker, medium-grind coffee grounds, a timer, and your favorite mug.
See the end of this post for a simple recipe using the French press method to please all coffee drinkers!
Best Roast & Grind for French Press
When it comes to the best type of coffee to use in a French press, you can use regular or decaffeinated coffee but it should be ground with a medium grind.
Too coarse and the coffee grounds will clog the filter, and too fine of a grind and particles will float through, turning your coffee into sludge. In other words, don’t use a coarse grind for your grind size.
Coffee brewed in a French press is stronger, and more bold, a light-to-medium roast coffee bean will yield a less intense flavor. You can use any type of roast, however, because the perfect flavor is always the drinker’s preference.
It is recommended that you use freshly ground coffee for the freshest taste, so you may want to buy whole beans and grind them when you’re ready to brew.
If you don’t have a coffee grinder at home, it is fine to use pre-ground coffee, but you can also buy bags of whole bean coffee and have them grind it for you in house at most coffee shops.
Best Coffee for French Press
Here are the very best coffee beans that you should consider for your French press. I’ve included a variety of options to satisfy all types of coffee lovers.
1. Best Light Roast Coffee: Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic
This light roast coffee is USDA organic, and certified fairtrade.
¡Tierra! Organic is a blend of 100% Arabica beans grown in Africa and Central and South America.
With tasting notes of fruit and flowers, this light roast coffee is perfect for your mellow morning brew made in a French press.
2. Best Medium Roast Coffee: Allegro Coffee
Allegro Coffee’s “Early Bird Blend” is a medium roast organic coffee with hints of cocoa and nuts for a warm, deep flavor.
Perfect for the French press, this coffee will be bold and rich. It’s also 100% Certified organic and Non-GMO.
And like its name, it’s a bird-friendly bean, meaning it is certified “Smithsonian Bird-Friendly.” This certifications requires strict shade over the coffee plants, providing multiple layers of canopy over the plants and a protective habitat for migratory bird populations.
3. Best Decaf Coffee: Natural Force
This medium roast whole bean coffee from Natural Force is decaffeinated by 100% Swiss water process and tested for mold, pesticides, and other toxins.
It’s certified organic, gluten free, and single origin. You couldn’t get a cleaner cup of coffee if you tried!
This decaf version is perfect for a French press.
4. Best Eco-Friendly Coffee: Ethical Bean Coffee
Ethical Bean Coffee is 100% traceable from “cup to crop” and it’s sourced seasonally, ethically, grown organically, and fairtrade.
Each bag has a QR code on the back which you can scan with your smartphone and learn about each step of the process.
These medium roast coffee beans have a great flavor profile.
5. Best Value Coffee: 365 by Whole Foods Market
This Vienna Roast is a medium-dark roast that offers hints of chocolate and caramel for a deep, rich flavor.
Both certified fairtrade and organic, this coffee is your best value for an inexpensive yet high-quality cup of coffee.
Try this dark roast coffee in your French press and you won’t be disappointed.
6. Best Low Acid Coffee: LifeBoost Coffee
LifeBoost’s Low Acid coffee is single origin, organic, fairtrade, and Non-GMO. It’s gentle on your stomach and your teeth while still brewing a robust flavor.
This brand also has half-caf and decaf low acid coffee if you’re looking for a little less of a buzz with your brew.
You can also try making my Herbal Coffee recipe in your French press!
French Press Coffee FAQs
The French press is a filterless coffee pot, so there is no paper filter or mesh filter needed. If the grind of your coffee is too fine or too coarse, it may escape into your cup, so be sure to use a medium grind for your French press brewing!
The recommended amount of coffee per serving is one heaping tablespoon (7-8 grams) of coffee grounds per 6-7oz (200ml) of water. Be warned, the average mug is more than 8 oz, so if you want a full mug of coffee you may want to increase both your coffee and water amount.
Yes! French press coffee is the same as what you would use in a drip maker, it’s just that the ideal grind is medium for French presses.
Best French Press Coffee Recipe
If you are new to the French press brew methods, then you’ll want this recipe. Follow these guidelines for the best coffee to water ratio that will yield the perfect cup of coffee.
Basic French Press Coffee Recipe
Here’s a basic and simple recipe for making the perfect French press coffee!
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon medium-grind ground coffee
- 7 ounces hot water
Instructions
- Remove the plunger from your French press.
- Add a heaping tablespoon (7-8 grams) of medium-grind ground coffee to the pot per 7 oz (about 200 ml) of water. This would be a single serving, so add a tablespoon per cups you’d like to drink.
- Pour hot (not boiling) water into the pot and give it a gentle stir.
- Add the plunger to the pot, stopping just above the water and ground coffee. Do not plunge yet!
- Let stand for 3-4 minutes.
- Press the plunger slowly and gently, applying steady pressure, until it reaches the bottom of the pot.
- Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy.
Notes
- For best results, use hot water but not boiling water.
- This recipe can be doubled as long as your French press coffee maker is large enough to hold more water.
- Because this coffee is so rich, it pairs well with a splash of your favorite milk. In my opinion, this type of brew is best served hot! Or, you can also use it to make a delicious Matcha Coffee.
- The French press should be emptied and washed with a mild dish detergent and air dried between each use.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: French press
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 2
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
French Press Coffee Conclusions
The French press is a simple way to make a deep, rich flavored cup of coffee. It takes a little more time to prepare and make French press coffee, but the time spent will be worth it after you take your first sip! Add your preferred milk or sweetener to taste and enjoy your morning (or afternoon!) with your freshly brewed coffee in hand.
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
Mmmmmm, I love a French press coffee. So rich and tasty!!!