How to Make the Perfect Coffee with a French Press

How to Make the Perfect Coffee with a French Press

French Press Brew Guide

Rich, full-bodied flavour with a clean finish — simple steps, no sludge.

Brewing with a French Press is one of the easiest ways to create rich, full-bodied coffee at home. The key is using a consistent ratio and letting the coffee settle naturally so your cup comes out smooth — not bitter or gritty. This method is easy, repeatable, and highlights the character of freshly roasted coffee.

For best flavour, use freshly roasted Cherry Mouth coffee.

What You’ll Need

  • French Press
  • Fresh Cherry Mouth coffee
  • Filtered water
  • Burr grinder
  • Kettle & timer
  • Spoon

Brew Ratio (60 g per litre)

60 g coffee → 1 L water

Batch Size Coffee (g) Water (ml)
250 ml 15 250
500 ml 30 500
750 ml 45 750
1 L 60 1000
4 min steep Skim surface Lower filter 1–2 cm Rest 4–5 min

Method

  1. Heat water to just off boil (~94–96°C).
  2. Add ground coffee to the French Press.
  3. Start timer and pour in all water. Stir once.
  4. Steep for 4 minutes.
  5. Skim any foam or floating grounds.
  6. Lower the plunger until it sits 1–2 cm below the surface. Do not press fully.
  7. Let rest for 4–5 minutes to allow flavours to develop.
  8. Pour slowly and enjoy.

Brew Time Guide

Roast Total Brew Time Notes
Light 9–12 min Longer rest improves sweetness.
Medium 8–10 min Balanced and clean.
Dark 7–9 min Shorter time reduces bitterness.

Great Cherry Mouth Coffees for French Press

Shop fresh coffee →

French Press FAQs

What grind size should I use?

Medium-coarse, similar to coarse sea salt.

How much coffee per litre?

Use 60g of coffee per 1L of water.

Why skim the foam?

It removes bitter-tasting compounds and floating fines for a cleaner, sweeter cup.

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