How to Make Coffee in a French Press

If you’re a coffee lover, you know there’s nothing that beats the taste of French press coffee. If you’re considering purchasing a French press but are worried that you won’t be able to figure it out, rest assured. French press coffee is not too complicated to make, and well worth the effort! Before you know it, you’ll be sipping French brew every day, from the convenience of your own home.

Step 1

Fill a teakettle or saucepan with 3 cups of filtered water and bring it to a boil.

Step 2

Grind your coffee beans while you’re waiting for the water to boil. For French press coffee you need a very course grind. A burr grinder works best.

Step 3

Measure 1 rounded tbsp. of coffee for each 4 ounces of water. For this example we’ll use the standard 12-ounce French press and 3 tbsp. of coffee. Place the coffee in the bottom of the press.

Step 4

Pour 12 ounces of boiling water over the coffee grounds, using a slow steady stream of water to wet the grounds evenly.

Step 5

Place the top on the coffee pot but do not press the plunger. Allow your coffee to steep for three minutes (longer if you want the coffee stronger).

Step 6

Fresh Coffee

Depress the plunger slowly to allow the coffee to escape through the mesh filter section. Use a steady hand and be sure to push straight down until all the coffee is extracted from the grounds.