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Which Coffee To Choose For A Cafetiere ?
Written by Jigisha
Reading time 6 minSo you’ve just bought a French press, but you’re wondering which coffee would be best suited for it? Choosing the right coffee for your French press can make all the difference in your brewing experience. This detailed guide will introduce you to the best coffees for your French press, focusing on the characteristics that influence their compatibility with this gentle extraction method.
Coffee For French Presses: Everything You Need To Know About The French Press
What is a French Press?
The French press also called a cafetière, one of the core methods of slow coffee, is renowned for its simple yet effective design.
It is a cylindrical coffee maker, usually crafted from glass, with a plunger that has a fine mesh filter attached at the end. By pressing the plunger down, you filter the coffee, ensuring a rich and full-bodied flavour.
This method allows for direct interaction between the water and the cafetiere coffee grounds, giving you full control over the brewing time and water temperature to achieve the perfect cup.
The French press has a storied past that dates back to the 1920s. It is believed to have been invented by a French designer, but it was an Italian named Attilio Calimani who patented the first French press design in 1929. Over the decades, it has evolved in style and design but has remained a favourite among coffee enthusiasts for its ability to produce a robust and full-bodied cup.
MaxiCoffee Coffee Spotlight
Since the French press doesn’t use a paper filter, you may have some residue of natural coffee oils or coffee grounds in your cup. No worries, that’s completely normal.
What kind of result can you expect with a French press?
With its unique brewing process, the French press allows you to create:
- A coffee with a strong, aromatic presence;
- A brew that is both light and smooth;
- A cup with a lingering finish, where flavours stay on your palate long after you’ve sipped;
- A full-bodied coffee that’s rich in texture.
How To Choose Your Coffee For A French Press?
With so many options available, selecting the best coffee for cafetière can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—here’s what to look for when choosing your coffee for a French press.
What Criteria Should You Consider When Looking At Coffee For French Press Coffee Maker?
Coffee Roast Intensity
For the French press, we recommend choosing coffees with a light to medium roast. These roast levels perfectly complement the slow extraction process, enhancing the delicate flavours and aromas.
Tasting Notes
Look for coffees that have fruity, floral, or rich notes. These aromas develop well with the French press infusion method, allowing you to experience a coffee that’s vibrant and nuanced.
Grind Size with Ground Coffee
Wondering what grind size means? If you’re using whole beans for your French press, you’ll need to grind them with a coffee grinder. The resulting coffee powder, known as “grind,” can be coarse or fine.
With coffee beans and a coffee grinder, you can adjust the grind size yourself, but with ground coffee, looking at the grind size is crucial. It needs to be coarse, and visually similar to coarse salt.
This grind size will ensure a more homogeneous extraction and allow the coffee to infuse evenly. It will also help prevent the grounds from passing through the mesh filter, thus avoiding the presence of residue in your cup.
How To Grind Your Coffee Beans For A French Press?
If you’re using coffee beans, it’s best to grind them right before brewing to maintain freshness. We would suggest a manual grinder which, in addition to being affordable, offers great flexibility to adjust the grind size.
Adjust the grind size to obtain a coarse grind close to that of coarse salt, which will avoid bitterness and the presence of excessive sediment in the cup, while fully revealing the aromatic potential of your coffee with a French press.
How To Make A Good Cup Of Coffee with a French Press
To make the most of your French press, here are some additional tips and tricks:
- Use Fresh Coffee: Freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee beans will always yield the best flavour. Try to use beans roasted within the last month and grind them just before brewing.
- Preheat Your French Press: Before adding the coffee grounds, rinse your French press with hot water. This helps maintain the brewing temperature and ensures a consistent extraction.
- Stir and Wait: After pouring the water, give the coffee a gentle stir. This helps to saturate all the grounds and begins the extraction process evenly.
- Mind the Water Temperature: Aim for a water temperature between 90°C to 96°C (195°F and 205°F). Boiling water can scorch the coffee grounds, while water that is too cool will under-extract the flavours.
For those looking to elevate their French press game, here are some advanced tips:
- Experiment with Brew Ratios: While a standard ratio is around 1:15 (coffee to water), don’t hesitate to adjust this to suit your taste preferences. A stronger brew can be achieved with a 1:12 ratio, while a lighter brew might use a 1:17 ratio.
- Try a Double Filter: Some French press users like to use a second filter to reduce the amount of sediment in the cup. This can be especially helpful if you prefer a cleaner taste.
Troubleshooting Common Cafetiere Issues
Even with the best equipment and beans, you might encounter some common issues. Here’s how to address them:
- Coffee Tastes Bitter: This could be due to over-extraction. Try reducing the steeping time or using a coarser grind.
- Coffee Tastes Weak: Under-extraction might be the cause. Ensure you’re using the right coffee-to-water ratio and adjust the grind to be slightly finer.
- Too Much Sediment: If you find too much sediment in your cup, consider using a slightly coarser grind or pouring more slowly after plunging.
Coffee For French Presses: Our Top 3 Best Ground Coffee For Cafetières
Available now
Coffee beans – Dark’n Sweet – Cafés Lugat (250 g)
– Notes: Black tea, cocoa and praline
– Origins: Nicaragua and Colombia
– Packaging: 250 g pack
Available now
Coffee beans – Organic Ground Coffee from Colombia – Destination (250 g)
– Notes: Rich and balanced
– Origin: Colombia
– Packaging: 250 g pack
Available now
Coffee beans – Inca Blend – Green Lion (250 g)
– Notes: Caramel and nuts
– Origin: South America
– Packaging: 250 g pack
Coffee For French Press: Our Top 2 Best Coffee Beans a Cafetiere
Available now
Coffee beans – Summer Blend – Cafés Lugat (250 g)
– Notes: Citrus, Floral, Apricot
– Origin: Brazil and Guatemala
– Packaging: 250g pack
Available now
Coffee beans – Aymara – Green Lion Coffee (250 g)
– Notes: caramel, woody
– Origin: blend
– Packaging: 1kg pack
The cafetiere offers a world of possibilities to suit every taste. With its easy use and the rich aromatic profiles it extracts, the French press consistently delivers a great cup of coffee. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or new to this brewing method, don’t hesitate to explore all that the French press has to offer!
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