Best Coffee For French Press (7 Top Picks) - HomeGrounds

WHAT ARE THE BEST COFFEE BEANS FOR FRENCH PRESS?

What’s the best coffee for French press? To me, Purity, Koa coffee and Lifeboost are the best brands to chose from.

Photo: Home Grounds

For this versatile brewer, it’s as simple as buying fresh, high-quality coffee beans with a flavor profile you enjoy. There are fantastic options at every roast level and budget.

This article rounds up six of my favorite coffees to brew in my French press, each unique and wonderful in its own way. I’m confident you’ll love them as much as I do!

The 6 Best Coffee Beans for French Press:

• Purity Coffee Ease – Best Overall
• Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend – Budget Pick
• Koa Coffee Private Reserve Kona Coffee – Best Splurge
• Lifeboost Coffee Embolden – Best Dark Roast
• Coffee Bros. Costa Rica – Best Medium Roast
• Volcanica Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe – Best Light Roast

You can use a French press to make delicious coffee of all flavor profiles and roast levels. The most important thing to make great coffee is buying fresh, high-quality coffee beans. Here are six of my favorites that meet that criterion.

Best overall

1. Purity Coffee Ease

• Roast level: Dark-medium

• Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, brown spice
• Origin(s): n/a
• Whole bean or ground: Whole bean

SEE ON PURITY COFFEE

I chose Purity Coffee Ease as the best French press coffee beans this year for many reasons – great flavor, body, and aroma; sustainable growing practices; and health-conscious roasting. It’s the whole package!

To me, this organic coffee is the platonic ideal of a French press coffee. It’s rich and full-bodied, with a noteworthy natural sweetness and little bitterness or acidity. I often keep this coffee on hand for friends sensitive to more acidic brews.

The flavors lean heavily towards chocolate and nuts, with warm spices in the finish. I wasn’t tempted to add anything to my cup, but it holds up very well to milk or cream if that’s your preference.

Purity Ease beans are the brand’s darkest roast but are closer to medium-dark. The roast level was chosen intentionally as part of Purity’s commitment to roasting the healthiest coffee. It balances minimizing harmful acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons while maintaining antioxidant content (1).

Budget Pick

2. Peet’s Major Dickinson’s Blend

• Roast level: Dark

• Tasting notes: Earth, spice
• Origin(s): Americas, Indo-Pacific
• Whole bean or ground: Either

SEE ON PEET’S COFFEE

Are you a true old-school dark roast lover, only satisfied by an exceptionally bold, heavy coffee? Then Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend is guaranteed to please. And as a nice bonus, it’s the most affordable coffee on this list.

If I had to describe this coffee in one word, it would be “robust.” The flavors are bold, with chocolate, earth, and spice notes. The aroma is prominent, wafting chocolate and caramel. And the body is heavy and rich. I could definitely detect the presence of the Indo-Pacific beans.

This is one of few coffees I actually prefer with a dash of cream, which enhances the chocolate notes and mellows the intensity. As an aside, it also makes an incredible latte.

Peet’s online orders are roasted and shipped the same day for optimal freshness. You can opt for whole beans or one of three grind sizes; the coarsest grind is perfect for the French press brew method.

Best Splurge

3. Koa Coffee Private Reserve Kona Coffee

• Roast level: Medium

• Tasting notes: Milk chocolate, nuts, tropical fruit
• Origin(s): USA (Hawaii)
• Whole bean or ground: Either

SEE ON KOA COFFEE

Kona coffee beans are among the best in the world, thanks to the ideal growing conditions on Hawaii’s Big Island (2). They don’t come cheap, but the sweet and smooth brews are worth the occasional splurge.

The Kona industry is rife with scams, so I like to stick to coffee brands I trust to provide the real thing – 100% Kona beans. Koa Coffee Roasters sources beans exclusively from their own estate, guaranteeing I get the quality I pay for.

The Koa Private Reserve is an incredibly smooth and rich brew. I love brewing this coffee using a French press to amplify the flavor as much as possible. It tastes mainly of nuts and chocolate, with hints of tropical fruit and coconut adding some island character.

You can buy this as whole bean or pre-ground coffee, but I highly recommend the whole beans. If you’re dropping big bucks on gourmet beans, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not enjoying them freshly ground.

BEST DARK ROAST

4. Lifeboost Coffee Embolden

• Roast level: Dark

• Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, toasted nuts, dried fruit
• Origin(s): Nicaragua
• Whole bean or ground: Either

SEE ON LIFEBOOST

The Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast reminds me of the top pick Purity Ease beans in many ways. Though the Embolden is slightly darker, both coffees are super smooth, sweet, and low in acidity. Both are certain to be crowd-pleasers.

Embolden differentiates itself because it is a single-origin coffee, whereas Ease is a blend. I think this gives it a tad more character and complexity, which is wonderfully showcased by the French press brewing method.

I tasted dark chocolate and nuts balanced by a jammy fruit sweetness and caramel aroma. If you usually add sugar to your coffee, you might enjoy this one black. To me, the body was rich and earthy rather than overly oily. The roast is dark but not as dark as a French or Italian roast, so I didn’t notice any smoky flavors or bitterness.

Lifeboost offers their coffee in whole bean or pre-ground form. But they only offer a medium grind suited for drip coffee makers, so you’ll need to grind your own if you want coarsely ground coffee for the French press method.

Best Medium Roast

5. Coffee Bros. Costa Rica

• Roast level: Medium

• Origin(s): Costa Rica
• Tasting notes: Cocoa, toffee, lemon
• Whole bean or ground: Whole bean

SEE ON COFFEE BROS

Coffee Bros. is a relatively new roaster, but even in a short time, they’ve impressed me with consistently high-quality sourcing and roasting. The “bros” clearly know their coffee! This medium-roast Costa Rican is one of my favorite beans for French press (and espresso, pour over, and even iced coffee).

Coffee Bros. Costa Rica is a micro-lot coffee, traceable to an individual producer, a father and son duo who have perfected their craft for decades. Their farm resides in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, known for its incredible specialty coffee (3).

What I absolutely love about this coffee is how it combines the complexity of a single origin with the balance of a blend. The flavor notes of bittersweet cocoa, sweet toffee, and bright citrus are in perfect harmony, making this a versatile brew.

Be aware that Coffee Bros. only offers whole bean coffee, so make sure you have a burr grinder to treat these beans right.

Best Light Roast

6. Volcanica Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe

• Roast level: Light-medium

• Origin(s): Ethiopia
• Tasting notes: Lemon, Blueberry, and Blackberry
• Whole bean or ground: Either

SEE ON VOLCANICA

I often recommend Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans to coffee lovers looking to explore lighter roast brews for the first time. They are reliably high quality and flavorful.

Volcanica’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is distinct in that the bulk of each crop is harvested from wild coffee trees, many so rare that they don’t even have names and are simply referred to as “heirloom” varieties (4).

This coffee is on the darker end of a light roast, which I prefer for brewing with a French press. The immersion method yields such an intense flavor that the brightness of a really light roast can be overpowering. I found the sweeter notes of ripe berries dominate the flavor of this coffee, while the citrus acidity is pleasantly muted.

When brewing lighter roasts in a French press, I use a slightly hotter brew temperature (205 F) and add about 30 seconds to the steeping time to ensure a complete extraction and avoid a watery or sour brew. These beans would make a lovely refreshing cold brew – which you can also make in your French press!

What Is A French Press?

A French press, also known as a coffee press or cafetière, is a manual coffee brewing device. It was initially patented in France in 1852, hence its name.

The main component of a French press is a cylindrical beaker that serves as the brewing chamber, usually made of glass, heatproof plastic, or stainless steel. A tight-fitting plunger with a metal or nylon mesh fits inside the chamber, and a lid sits on top.

How Does A French Press Work?

A French press is an immersion brewing device. To make French press coffee, coffee grounds are steeped in hot water in the brewing chamber for several minutes. During this time, the coffee flavor compounds and oils are extracted into the water during this time.

The plunger is then pressed down to isolate the grounds from the brewed coffee. The coffee is served by pouring directly from the French press into glasses or a carafe.

What Is French Press Coffee?

Coffee brewed in a French press is known for its characteristic robust flavor, full body, and heavy mouthfeel. Sometimes, you’ll find a thin sludge of very finely ground coffee at the bottom of your mug. The combination of immersion brewing and a metal filter means that more coffee oils end up in your cup than other brewing methods, resulting in a notably intense brew.

How To Make The Best French Press Coffee

A French press is one of the easiest ways to make coffee at home. You don’t need to be a coffee expert or master special pouring techniques. All you need is a French press, coffee beans, a grinder, and a means of boiling water. A digital scale is also helpful.

Here are the basic steps to use a French press. I’ll use the measurements for a 34-ounce (8-cup) French press, which is the most common size.

1. Preheat your French press and serving cups.
2. Weigh 84 grams of coffee beans.
3. Grind your coffee beans to a coarse grind, then add them to the French press. If you don’t have a scale, add 14 tablespoons of coffee to the brewer.
4. Heat 1000 grams (34 fl. oz.) of water to 200 F.
5. Pour enough water into the French press to cover the grounds, and let it bloom for 30 seconds.
6. Add the remaining water, and put the lid on the French press, ensuring the plunger doesn’t touch the coffee and water.
7. Steep for 4 minutes.
8. Press the coffee plunger down gently, serve immediately, and enjoy your coffee!

What is the golden ratio for French press coffee?

The brewing ratio for French press coffee refers to the weight of ground coffee compared to the weight of water in the recipe. The recipe above uses a standard coffee to water ratio of 1:15. However, you may need to vary the amount of coffee depending on your taste and your choice of coffee beans. There is no truly one-size-fits-all golden ratio.

What grind of coffee do you use in a French Press?

The best grind for French press lies somewhere between coarse and medium-coarse. But this brewing method is quite forgiving compared to espresso or pour over. You don’t need to dial in the grind perfectly; you can adjust the brew time and temperature to compensate.

However, too fine a grind, and you’ll end up with a lot of sludge in your cup. Too coarse a grind, and it will be impossible to extract the coffee before the water cools.

How To Choose The Best Coffee For A French Press

Because the French press is so versatile, many types of coffee beans can yield a delicious brew, and you are free to cater to your taste. Here, I’ll walk you through a few things to consider when choosing the best coffee for your French press coffee maker.

What is the best roast for French press?

One of the reasons a French press is such a popular device is that it works for all types of coffee roasts.

Generally speaking, medium and dark roast Arabica beans are the most popular. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your favorite light roast in the French press; just plan on tweaking the brew time and temperature to optimize extraction for the best cup of coffee.

Medium roasted beans are usually lower in acidity and heavier in the body than light roasts. Darker roasts have an even heavier body and creamier mouthfeel, which are further enhanced by an immersion-style French press brew.

If you like a rich cup of coffee that coats your mouth with bold flavors, a dark-roasted coffee in a French press will be right up your alley. If that sounds overwhelming, try a medium roast coffee.

Origins and Flavor Profiles

Any coffee-growing region can produce delicious coffee beans for French Press brewing. However, some regions are known for specific flavor characteristics and high-quality coffee beans.

Coffee from the Americas is usually the cleanest-tasting coffee with flavors of chocolate, fruits, and nuts. Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala are known for consistently high-quality coffee.

Coffee beans from East Africa are known more for fruit, floral, and tea flavors with a wine-like acidity. They often have complex and subtle flavors best suited to light or medium roasts. The most famous growing regions are Ethiopia and Kenya.

Sumatran coffee has a unique earthy character and a heavy body, directly resulting from the region’s humid climate. Often roasted to medium or dark, Sumatran beans are popular in blends because they add a richness that fares well in a French press or espresso machine.

Can You Use Any Ground Coffee In A French Press?

I always recommend using freshly ground coffee beans to make the perfect cup of coffee. That means buying whole beans and grinding them at home. However, pre-ground coffee is an option if you don’t have an excellent grinder for French press.

Many brands grind their coffee beans to a size appropriate for a drip brewer, slightly finer than you’d want to use in your French press. If you go this route, shorten your brew time to avoid over-extraction. A better idea is to buy from a specialty roaster that grinds to order and lets you select a grind size based on brewing method – for example, Peet’s or Volcanica.

The Verdict

Choosing the best beans for any brewing method depends on your taste and the flavor profiles you enjoy. I’m here to skew your decision toward high-quality, fresh coffee beans. This list contains exclusively Arabica beans produced in the world’s top growing regions, any of which guarantees a delicious brew using the French press method.

I recommend Purity Coffee Ease for an all-around crowd-pleaser, featuring appealing flavors of chocolate, nuts, and spice with an ultra-smooth body. If you want quality on a budget, look no further than the dark-roasted Peet’s Major Dickason’s blend, rich with the flavors of dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and caramel.

FAQs

Which coffee grinder is best for French press?

The best grinder for a French press is a burr grinder. Save the blade grinder for grinding spices. Because French press is a forgiving method of brewing, you don’t need to buy a top-of-the-line model like you would for espresso. I like the Baratza Encore for French press, but even a budget option like the Bodum Bistro is acceptable.

Can you burn coffee grounds in a French press?

Yes, you can burn coffee grounds in a French press, but it is much less likely than in direct-heat methods like a Moka pot. To avoid burnt flavor, ensure your brew water is between 195 and 205 ℉ – don’t use boiling water. If you don’t have a thermometer, bring your water to a boil, take it off the heat, and wait 30 seconds before adding it to your French press.

Is French press coffee healthy?

Yes, French press coffee is healthy. Like any coffee, its caffeine and antioxidant content offers many proven health benefits. These include improved energy and focus and preventing cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, certain cancers, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. However, French press coffee can raise your LDL cholesterol levels because the metal filter leaves more coffee oils in the cup than a paper filter. However, this should only be a concern if you have a pre-existing issue with high cholesterol, as the effect is minor (5).

References

1. Binello A, Cravotto C, Menzio J, Tagliapietra S. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coffee samples: Enquiry into processes and analytical methods. Food Chemistry. Volume 344, 15 May 2021, 128631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128631
2. Grant, T. (2022, January 6). A guide to Hawaiian coffee production. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2022/01/a-guide-to-hawaiian-coffee-production/
3. Pretel, E.A. (2018, February 9). Exclusive: Costa Rica to lift 30-year ban on planting robusta coffee trees. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costa-rica-coffee-exclusive-idUSKBN1FT2UH
4. Newman, K. (2011, June 30). Heirloom Coffees. Retrieved from https://imbibemagazine.com/heirloom-coffees/
5. Godman, H. (2016, April 29). Pressed coffee is going mainstream – but should you drink it? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pressed-coffee-going-mainstream-drink-201604299530