French Press Brew Guide

What You'll Need

  • 8-cup French press brewer
  • Grinder (burr grinder recommended for best consistency)
  • Fresh roasted Bluestem coffee
  • Filtered water (just off the boil, ~200–205°F)
  • Scale (recommended)
  • Stir stick or spoon
  • Mug or carafe

Coffee to Water Ratio

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends:

1:16 – 1:18 (coffee to water)
→ 60 grams per 1 liter of water
→ ~2 tablespoons coffee per 6 oz of water

Full 8-cup press:

  • 56g coffee (~8 tablespoons)
  • 850g water (~28–30 oz)

Adjust slightly to taste.

Brewing Instructions

1. Prep & Preheat

Rinse your French press with hot water to warm it up, then discard the water. Preheating helps maintain a stable brew temperature.

2. Measure & Grind

Grind fresh, just before brewing. Use a coarse grind (similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt).

Add coffee to the press and gently level the grounds.

3. Add Water & Bloom

Pour in about half the water (~450g / 15 oz), making sure all grounds are saturated. Let it sit for about 1 minute, then give it a gentle stir.

4. Add Remaining Water

Pour in the rest of the water to reach ~850g (28–30 oz). Place the lid on top to retain heat, but do not press yet.

5. Brew

Let the coffee steep for a total of 4 minutes.

6. Press & Serve

Slowly press the plunger down with steady pressure. Pour and enjoy.

Tip

If you're not serving all the coffee right away, transfer it to another container. Leaving it in the press will continue extraction and can lead to bitterness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Grinding too fine — This leads to muddy, bitter coffee and a difficult press.
  • Skipping the stir — A quick stir helps ensure even extraction and fuller flavor.
  • Letting it sit too long — Over-steeping can make the coffee harsh and heavy.
  • Forgetting to decant — Coffee left in the press continues brewing—pour it out when it's ready.
  • Poor water quality — Clean, filtered water makes a noticeable difference in the cup.

Final Note

French press brings out body, richness, and depth. If you like a fuller, heavier cup—this is where it shines.

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