Best Coffee for French Press
French press immersion produces a heavier body and full flavor. Medium and medium-dark roasts with chocolate, caramel, and nut notes work well. Coarse grind is required so fines do not pass through the metal mesh.
- Recommended roast
- medium, medium-dark, dark
- Grind
- Coarse
- Recipe
- 1:15 (30g coffee : 450g water, 4 minute steep)
What pairs well with French Press
- Sumatran and Indonesian coffees for earthy body
- Brazilian for chocolate sweetness
- Latin American blends for balance
Notes on French Press
French press is the most forgiving full-immersion brewer in regular use. The metal mesh filter lets natural coffee oils pass into the cup, producing a heavier mouthfeel than paper-filtered methods and emphasizing chocolate, caramel, and roasted-nut notes. Because the grounds steep undisturbed for the full brew, even small grinder inconsistencies are flattened out. The trade-off is sediment: a ring of fines settles in the bottom of every cup. Decanting immediately after pressing — rather than leaving brewed coffee in the press — keeps later cups from over-extracting and turning bitter.
Coffees recommended for French Press
Tia Coffee
The Filter - Medium Roast
Saudi Arabia · Medium
Cocoa, Apple
Keys Koffee
NITRO - Vienna Organic - Medium Roast
Austria · Medium
Bittersweet, Low Acidity
Keys Koffee
NITRO - Venezia Organic - French Roast
Indonesia · French
Dark Chocolate, Pineapple, Pipe Tobacco
Barr Coffee
Hawaii, Kona Region
United States · Medium · Honey (Yellow)
Floral, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Barr Coffee
Mexico - Puebla
Mexico · Light · Honey (Yellow)
Orchard Fruit, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Barr Coffee
Indonesia, Sumatra
Indonesia · Light · Wet-Hulled
Spice / Herbal, Earthy / Woody
Barr Coffee
Papua New Guinea - Carpenter Estates Sigri AA
Papua New Guinea · Light · Washed
Chocolate, Nutty, Spice / Herbal
Barr Coffee
Mountain Water Decaffeinated Honduran
Honduras · Medium · Natural
Berry, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Barr Coffee
Peru (Norandino) - Washed
Peru · Light · Washed
Citrus, Orchard Fruit, Chocolate
Barr Coffee
Nicaragua (Selva Negra) - Honey
Nicaragua · Light · Natural
Orchard Fruit, Berry, Sweet / Sugar
Barr Coffee
Lychee Bomb Double Ferment (Colombia)
Colombia · Medium · Washed
Stone Fruit, Tropical Fruit, Orchard Fruit
Barr Coffee
Tatted Banana Co-Ferment (Pink Borbon Colombia)
Colombia · Medium · Experimental / Co-Fermented
Tropical Fruit, Chocolate, Fermented / Complex
Noctua Coffee Roasters
Winter's First Light
Ethiopia · Light-Medium · Washed
Floral, Citrus, Sweet / Sugar
Noctua Coffee Roasters
Never-Ending TBR
El Salvador · Medium · Natural
Citrus, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Noctua Coffee Roasters
Midnight Oil
Brazil · Medium-Dark · Natural
Orchard Fruit, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Noctua Coffee Roasters
Eventide Ember
Brazil · Medium-Dark · Washed
Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar, Nutty
Noctua Coffee Roasters
The Botanist
Panama · Light-Medium · Natural
Floral, Citrus, Chocolate
Noctua Coffee Roasters
The Alchemist
Medium · Anaerobic
Citrus, Tropical Fruit, Berry
Noctua Coffee Roasters
Simply Peachy
Light-Medium · Experimental / Co-Fermented
Stone Fruit, Orchard Fruit, Sweet / Sugar
Noctua Coffee Roasters
The Quiet Hours, Vol. I
Colombia · Medium · Natural
Berry, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Swamp Water Roasting Co.
Falling Iguana (Vol II) - Peru WP decaf, Organically Sourced
Peru · Medium · Washed
Floral, Chocolate, Sweet / Sugar
Swamp Water Roasting Co.
Florida Panther - Ethiopia Organically Sourced
Ethiopia · Light-Medium · Washed
Citrus, Stone Fruit, Sweet / Sugar
Swamp Water Roasting Co.
Gator Fuel - Guatemala
Guatemala · Medium · Washed
Tropical Fruit, Orchard Fruit, Chocolate
Swamp Water Roasting Co.
Jungle Juice - Bali Kintamani, Organically sourced
Indonesia · Light-Medium · Natural
Berry, Chocolate, Nutty
Related brew methods
Origins that shine in French Press
Single-origin coffees that pair especially well with french press brewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why coarse grind for French press?
A coarse grind keeps fines from passing through the metal filter and creating sediment. It also slows extraction during the 4-minute steep, which prevents bitterness.
How long should I steep?
Four minutes is the standard. Press the plunger gently after the steep and decant immediately to stop extraction.
Can I use light-roast coffee in a French press?
Yes. Light roasts in a French press can be excellent — the immersion brings out body that pour over does not. Many specialty drinkers prefer this combination.