The French Press: Bold, Rich, and Unapologetically Full-Bodied
If pour over is the delicate artist of the coffee world, the French press is the rugged outdoorsman — bold, full-bodied, and built for people who want their coffee to mean something. At Foxhole Coffee Co., the French press is one of our favorite ways to brew, and it pairs perfectly with our signature blends.
No paper filters, no fancy equipment — just coffee, hot water, and a little patience.
What You'll Need
- A French press (any size — 12oz, 17oz, or 34oz all work)
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Hot water (195–205°F / 90–96°C)
- A kitchen scale (optional but recommended)
- A timer
- A spoon or paddle for stirring
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
The standard ratio for French press is 1:15 — 1 gram of coffee per 15 grams of water. A simple starting point:
- 12oz French press: 22g coffee / 330g water
- 17oz French press: 32g coffee / 480g water
- 34oz French press: 55g coffee / 825g water
Prefer it stronger? Go 1:12. Lighter? Try 1:17. Adjust to your taste.
Grind Size
Use a coarse grind — think rough sea salt or breadcrumbs. This is critical. A fine grind will slip through the mesh filter and make your cup gritty and over-extracted. If you're getting sediment in your cup, go coarser.
Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions
- Preheat your French press by rinsing it with hot water. Discard the water. This keeps your brew temperature stable.
- Add your ground coffee to the empty press.
- Start your timer and add water. Pour hot water (off the boil by about 30 seconds) over the grounds, making sure all the coffee is saturated. Fill to about 1 inch below the top.
- Give it a gentle stir to make sure all the grounds are fully wet.
- Place the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up. Don't press yet.
- Steep for 4 minutes. This is the sweet spot — long enough for full extraction, short enough to avoid bitterness.
- Press slowly and steadily. Apply even, gentle pressure. If it's hard to press, your grind is too fine. If it drops with no resistance, go finer next time.
- Pour immediately. Don't let the coffee sit in the press after plunging — it will continue to extract and turn bitter. Pour it all out into your mug or a carafe.
Tips for a Better Cup
- Don't skip the preheat: Cold glass drops your brew temperature fast.
- Use fresh beans: French press is unfiltered, so the quality of your beans comes through clearly. Stale coffee has nowhere to hide.
- Clean your press thoroughly: Old coffee oils build up and add bitterness over time. Rinse well after every use.
- Try a 4-minute steep first, then experiment up or down by 30 seconds to dial in your preference.
Best Coffees for French Press
French press rewards coffees with depth and body. Our Blends collection is an ideal match — blends are crafted to be balanced and consistent, which makes them shine in immersion brewing like French press. Medium to dark roasts tend to produce the richest, most satisfying cups.
Want to explore? Our Sample Packs let you try multiple roasts and find your French press favorite without committing to a full bag.
French Press vs. Pour Over
Both are excellent manual brewing methods, but they produce very different cups. Pour over is clean and bright, highlighting delicate flavors. French press is bold and full-bodied, with more oils and texture in the cup. Neither is better — it comes down to what you're in the mood for. Many coffee lovers keep both methods in rotation.
Start Brewing
The French press is one of the most forgiving and rewarding ways to make coffee at home. Once you dial in your ratio and grind, you'll have a reliable, delicious cup every morning.