I have to admit, I wasn’t always a coffee drinker. For years, I stuck to tea and couldn’t even stand the smell of coffee when it was in the room. But like I did with wine, I acquired a taste for coffee (which I will admit came from me falling in love with espresso martinis) and I’ve tried new things over the years to find the best coffees and ways of making them that fit me. Recently, I was gifted a French press, and started look for the best coffee for French press in order to find the best combination that I loved. For a few months, I used a variety of different coffees, and feel like I have finally nailed down some great ones.
You may be thinking “Why can’t you just use the same coffees that you’re using in your coffee machine in the French press?” Well, you can, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the best coffee to use for that method. It’s kind of like saying that all cars work best with the same gas, when the truth is that some need premium gas while others work best with regular. It’s just how things work out.
Below, I’ve listed out some best coffees to use for your French press but also just are great coffees in general.
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COFFEE FOR YOUR FRENCH PRESS
WHAT IS A French Press?
A French press, though some people make think it’s daunting, is actually an easy tool used to make coffee. The entire “system” gives you the ability to brew ground coffee through simple steps that brews, presses, and then strains all in one system. Many people enjoy the French press because it’s simple to use and it gives you a strong, bold coffee that many coffee drinkers will like. In many cases, the French press is cheaper than many at-home brewers – especially espresso machines.
When it comes to coffee there may be a variety of different flavors that you like, and with a French press you can get all of those flavors. Whether you’re someone who likes your coffee medium roast, dark roast, or light roast, going with the French press method is something that you won’t forget and you may not even think to turn back to your coffee maker.
Benefits OF USING A FRENCH PRESS
There are a number of benefits of using a French press to make coffee in comparison to using a coffee maker or espresso machine that lead people to purchase a French press and then never give it up:
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EASY TO USE
A French press is super easy to use because you just need water, coffee grounds, and a little bit of time and you’re good to go. It also makes it easy to control the strength of your coffee with a simple adjustment of what type of coffee your adding and how much. -
FULL BODIED FLAVOR
With a French press, you’re allowing the coffee to seep into the water for a set amount of time which then leads to a more full-bodied flavor in comparison to other methods when the water is dripping through the grounds and only carrying some of the flavor. -
ECO FRIENDLY
Since there is no need for filters, pods, or other paper or plastic materials, using a French press is eco-friendly because there is less waste.
HOW TO BREW YOUR Coffee IN A French Press
MEASURE IT OUT
You’ll want to measure out your coffee and water prior making your coffee. There is a ratio that you need to consider to make sure that you have the right water to coffee balance. For a French press, it’s recommended that for every cup of water, you’ll want one tablespoon of ground coffee. Depending on the type of coffee that you are making, whether it’s a hot coffee or a cold brew, you’ll want to make sure that the ratio is adjusted so that you get the right flavor that you want, but the typical one up to one tablespoon ratio is the base start.
BOIL YOUR WATER
In a kettle, bring your water to a boil and then let it sit for a few minutes to reduce the temperature. You don’t want to add boiling water right into your French press since you are putting hot water right into a cold apparatus. Depending on the setup of your kitchen, either an electric kettle or stovetop kettle works great for making your coffee. Both get your water to the right temperature and are easy to use.
GRIND YOUR COFFEE
A big recommendation for making coffee in a French press is to use whole roasted coffee beans and then grinding them down. I have found that when using whole French press coffee beans the flavor is a lot better, but it does require you to have a coffee grinder to grind down your quality coast beans. So if that is the method that you are going with because you’re looking for that whole bean coffee taste, while you are waiting for your water to boil, grab your roast coffee beans and grind to make coarse ground coffee but don’t add your coffee to your French press just yet.
Note: For measuring, you may end up grinding more coffee than you had prepared for with your water. You can also grind coffee and then put the coffee grinds into a coffee container for later. I tend to grind my coffee for the week and the measure out accordingly each day.
PREP YOUR FRENCH PRESS
It’s not also best to simply add your coffee grinds and then your boiling water straight to a French press without prepping it. With your French press being cold, putting hot liquid it in right away with the coffee grinds can actually effect your coffee. So prep your French press by either rinsing it out with warm tap water or putting a little bit of your boiled water into the press and swirling around to warm up the press before adding your grinds.
MAKE YOUR COFFEE
Adds the coffee grounds to your French press, pour hot water over the coffee, and then stir slightly. Let the coffee steep/brew for at least five minutes for a well balanced flavor. More time gives you a stronger flavor while less time will give you a lighter flavor. Once you are ready for your coffee, you can push the plunger down and strain your coffee into your coffee mug and enjoy.
FOR COLD BREW
If you’re someone who likes cold brew, just an extra step and a little more patience is all you need to get your cold brew coffee ready to start your day. I recommend making your coffee at night with the same steps, minus straining your coffee into a mug right at the end. Instead, after you stir, let the coffee steep while in the refrigerator over night, or for at least twelve hours, and then strain and serve.
BEST French Press Coffee PICKS
MACAMANIAC MACADAMIA & COCONUT FLAVORED COFFEE
This flavored coffee will not only give you a bold coffee flavor, but will also give you the sweet tastes of macadamia and coconut so that you can start your morning off on the sweet foot. Offered as both whole bean and ground coffee, you can opt for the full gourmet coffee experience with the 100% Arabica beans or opt in for the simpler option when you don’t have a coffee grinder. With this brand also offering a variety of other flavors, many have become stuck on this brand and have tried out the various other flavors including Irish Cream which is great if you also wanted to spike your coffee a little bit on the weekend late evenings like I do.
LIGHT ROAST, HAZELNUT GROUND COFFEE
With great flavor, this brand has become a fan favorite. The flavor is a light hint of hazelnut that gives you the flavor that you are looking for without it being too overwhelming. This is ground coffee that is great to use in both drip coffee makers as well as in your French press, so that you when you do need to put the coffee maker on in the morning while you do other things, you can still keep this coffee around for both methods.
BLACK TUXE PREMIUM ETHOPIAN COFFEE
This coffee, with it’s bold flavor, is great for those who love smooth floral tones with some chocolate undertones as their medium roast coffee flavor. Connecting right to the French press, this ground coffee is ground down to the right coarseness to use for a French press.
COLD BREW, DARK ROAST COLOMBIAN GOURMET COFFEE
Did I mention that you can also make a cold brew coffee with your French press? If you’re more of a cold brew person, there are great cold brew coffees made especially for making coffee in the French press. This coffee from Stone Street is a whole bean dark roast that is created to make sure that you get a smooth, less acidic coffee flavor that won’t taste watery or bitter when you make it as a cold brew.
FRENCH LAVENDAR GROUND COFFEE
This medium roast, ground coffee is made with real lavender which gives it a true lavender flavor. For those who light a lighter, more floral taste, you’ll love this coffee. But if you’re not one for the florals, don’t worry, this brand has other great flavors including Cinnamon Vanilla (which I adore), Dark Chocolate, Dirty Chai, and Rose Vanilla. With each one have amazing, fragrant flavors, you’ll be enveloped in this coffees fragrance and flavor which will lead to a great start to your morning.
ORGANCIE COARS GROUND BREAKFAST BLEND
I’m a sucker for a breakfast blend and this flavor is amazing. Ground to the texture that is perfect for making in French Press, you’ll find that you can just add this straight into your French press to make an amazing cold brew with consistent, smooth flavor. This coffee by Bizzy is made for busy people so that they can get a pep in their step in the morning and have a fully successful day.
DARK ROAST, COLD BREW COFFEE
This organic coffee blend is another great option for those who love having a cold brew coffee any time during the day. For making your cold brew in your French press, it’s as easy as getting the ratio correct, adding the coffee grounds to your press, stirring, and then letting it seep in the fridge overnight then in the morning, you’ll have a cold brew with great flavor that you won’t regret having made.
KICKING HORSE COFFEE, MEDIUM ROAST
Kicking Horse Coffee by Three Sisters has an amazing, bold, and powerful taste. It gives you the kick in the morning that you need with it’s powerful taste, but isn’t too overwhelming for those who aren’t much for a super rich, coffee taste. Use this coffee in a French press or as a pour over and you won’t regret the this coffee at the start of your morning.
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