How to Make French Press Coffee

Lots of people ask how to make French Press coffee and honestly, there are a ton of answers out there. At Nowhere Coffee Club, we don't want to tell you that there is one answer on how to use a French press, it really depends on your preferred amount of time, quantity, and ritual. So we will give you a few ways to make French press coffee and you can decide which one works best for you!

The Old School French Press Method

Ingredients and Equipment:

1. Coarsely ground coffee beans
2. Hot water (just below boiling)
3. 32oz Nowhere Coffee Club French press (shameless plug)
4. Stirring utensil
5. Timer

Instructions:

1. Measure Coffee:

   • Use a coarse grind for the coffee beans. Aim for a ratio of 1:15 or 1:16 of coffee to water. For example, for every 1 gram of coffee, use 15-16 grams of water. For us Americans who think grams are crackers, this averages out to 3 tablespoons of coffee per 8 ounces of water. 

2. Boil Water:

   • Heat water until it's just below boiling. The optimal temperature is around 200°F (93°C). Let it sit for a moment after boiling to cool slightly.

3. Preheat French Press:

   • Warm up the French press by pouring a small amount of hot water into it. Swirl it around and then discard the water.

4. Add Coffee:

   • Add the coarsely ground coffee to the French press.

5. Add Water:

   • Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds. Make sure all the grounds are saturated. Start by adding a small amount of water to allow the coffee to "bloom" for about 30 seconds. This helps release the flavors.

6. Stir:

   • After the blooming period, gently stir the coffee-water mixture with a long-handled spoon or paddle to ensure even saturation.

7. Place Lid on French Press:

   • Put the lid on the French press, but don't press down the plunger just yet. Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes.

8. Press Down Plunger:

   • After the steeping time, press down the plunger slowly and steadily to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.

9. Pour and Enjoy:

   • Pour the brewed coffee into your cup and enjoy! If you're not planning to drink it all immediately, leave it in your Nowhere Coffee Club French press to keep it warm without further brewing.

Remember, the beauty of a French press lies in its simplicity and ability to produce a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio and steeping time based on your personal flavor preferences. Experiment to find the perfect balance for your taste buds.

The Ultimate French Press Technique aka The Hoffmann Method

This method is for people who want to reduce the silt in the bottom of their cup, have their own quality coffee grinder and a digital scale, and want to invest time in their French press brewing method. If you plan on taking your coffee brewing to this level, we recommend making a coffee brewing notebook and being very specific with every part of the brew. Think of it as a continuous science project. Every variable matters!