How to Grind Coffee for a French Press

The grind size for a French press is coarse, so you'll need to start with whole coffee beans. Choose a dark roast coffee with a strong flavor.

Step 2: Measure the Coffee Beans

For a single cup of coffee, you'll need about 2 tablespoons of coffee beans. If you're making coffee for multiple people, use 2 tablespoons of coffee beans for each cup of water.

Step 3: Grind the Coffee Beans

Use a burr grinder to grind the coffee beans. A burr grinder will produce a more consistent grind than a blade grinder. If you don't have a burr grinder, you can use a blade grinder, but be sure to pulse it in short bursts to avoid over-grinding the coffee.

Step 4: Check the Grind Size

The grind size for a French press should be coarse, like sea salt. If the coffee grounds are too fine, they will make the coffee bitter. If the coffee grounds are too coarse, the coffee will be weak.

Step 5: Add the Coffee Grounds to the French Press

Add the ground coffee to the French press. For a single cup of coffee, use about 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds. If you're making coffee for multiple people, use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for each cup of water.

Step 6: Add Hot Water

Heat water to just below boiling (about 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Add the hot water to the French press, filling it to about 1 inch below the rim.

Step 7: Stir the Coffee Grounds

Stir the coffee grounds and water together gently. This will help to evenly distribute the coffee grounds and ensure that they all come into contact with the hot water.

Step 8: Cover the French Press and Let it Steep

Cover the French press and let it steep for 4 minutes. This will give the coffee grounds time to release their flavor and aroma.

Step 9: Plunge the French Press

After 4 minutes, slowly plunge the French press down to the bottom of the carafe. This will separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee.

Step 10: Pour the Coffee

Pour the brewed coffee into a cup and enjoy!