How to Get The Best French Press Ratio

Everyday coffee drinkers know that there's no taste quite like that of french press coffee. Why? The design itself lends to warm, aroma-inducing brews, as the beans come in contact with hot water, to create the perfect cup.

While ground coffee, like espresso blends, can produce rich flavor, the process may feel overwhelming for those new to machines. French presses are a bit easier to use (including our Monk Press), with a simple pour and press process that produces the same kind of coffee.

In this Mystic Monk Coffee french press brew guide, we'll walk you through how to make the ideal french pressed cup at home using simple steps, one device, and flavorful coffee grounds. Before you get that full bodied cup, let's go over the basics.

The French Press: Simple & Effective

Do you enjoy the feel of sipping a fresh cup every morning? Do you bask in the taste of full bodied coffee but hate the many steps it takes to get it? Then the french press might be the ideal brewing device for your at-home station. Other machines, like the classic espresso, require at least 4 steps. Grinding, packing in the grounds, pulling, and in some cases, immediate cleaning.

Because it doesn't require paper filters, outlets, or pods, regular coffee drinkers love to use it for everyday brewing. Even better? You can adjust the flavor strength by brewing time, with longer brew times giving that strong, slow-press taste home baristas try to cultivate. 

Before you get to the point of slowly pressing, you need to understand just how a french press operates.

The Carafe

Usually crafted from stainless steel, glass, or ceramic (and in most cases, a combination of the two), carafes are the base piece of a french press. This section is the part that holds the beans for brewing. You'll most likely see volume markers on them so you know where to stop pouring and filling.

To get started brewing, pour your fine grounds directly into the carafe. Then, pour in hot water and steep for four minutes. No more, no less. The last piece? Just press and drink.

Lid

The lid is an essential part of a french press, as it holds down the pressing mechanism needed for brewing. No one likes burning their hands on a hot cup, and the same goes for a carafe in action, so make sure your lid is screwed on tight before and after brewing.

Plunger Rod

The french press gets its power from its unique plunger rod, which gets pushed down by the brewer to pull up rich coffee. It moves the filter up and down inside the carafe and is typically made of strong metal.

What’s The Ideal French Press Ratio?

Although it's up for debate, there is a sweet spot where french press brewing is at its best. If you're brewing a fresh cup of your regular french pressed coffee or trying the device for the first time, aim for a 1:15 ratio. One part coffee, 15 parts water. Put too much water in the carafe, and you're sure to get a bitter taste at the first sip.

The most satisfying coffee brings an effortless balance between flavor, texture, and strength. Overdo the coffee beans? You're sure to be touched by a symphony of flavors, but you might find them to be too overwhelming if you're used to lighter roasting.

You can guarantee the following bean-to-water ratios will produce only the best and brightest brews:

• 30 grams of coffee → 450 ml (15 oz) of water
• 60 grams of coffee → 900 ml (30 oz) of water

What This Means For Your Cup

The fine line between flavor and balance is one of the main reasons at-home brewers might not choose the french press. Look away for a minute and leave the beans to soak up too much water, and you'll be right back to step one.

So, if you do choose to try out or incorporate a french press into your brewing lineup, know that your preferences are key. For a layered flavor profile, don't overdo the brew time. Keep it at a simple 4 minutes for optimal taste and texture.

If you're easily overwhelmed by bean coffee, fill up the carafe with less coffee than usual. This might be a little under halfway up the carafe. The point is, the coffee you brew in a french press is directly reflective of your tastes. For the best chance at a cup you love, start by choosing a Mystic Monk blend that is compatible with your taste preferences.

Things to Consider For Home Brewing 

Unfortunately, brewing at home isn't as simple as choosing the right coffee beans. Some are steep, some have bold flavor, and others require boiling water to achieve the desired taste. No matter which machine or device you use to brew, you need to think about the specifications of your desired brew. 

Maybe you want a dark, bold taste from your brew method. In this case, you'd want to pour 190 to 200 degree water over the coffee, remembering to quickly press down over the soaked beans in just about 4 minutes. Nothing more, nothing less.

Once you've got your french press ready to roll, think about these essential details that'll help you craft the flavor profile you like.

Grind Size

French presses generally need beans with a coarse setting to brew best. You need the grounds to be textured enough to brew coffee, and yet fine enough to bind with water. We recommend using a strong grinder such as a burr grinder to ensure an even texture on all the grounds.

Water Temperature

Just like with a drip or espresso machine, getting a specific water temperature is imperative. Too cold, and the bitterness starts to take over. Too hot, and you're battling to find the flavor amongst all of that water. Aim for 200 degrees if you like consistently bold flavor.

Brew Time

Anything above 4-5 minutes is overkill for french press brewing. If you fail to press down and extract your fresh coffee past this timeframe, you'll likely be dealing with grainy coffee, too much water, and little to no flavor. Stay in between the lines, and aromatic, recipe-ready coffee will bloom.

Common Brewing Mistakes

The French press is truly in its own lane. Although it may have room for pre ground coffee like the kind used for an espresso machine, it can't process the same super-fine grounds. It helps to be cognizant of the unique requirements french press brewing puts on the brewer, like a specific water-to-coffee ratio and strict brew time.

You don't need to let espresso sit just after it's come out, whereas this is a crucial step for optimal french press brewing. Let the coffee seep inside the carafe for about 4 minutes for optimal flavor. If you're down to celebrate the art of french press brewing (and all of its specificities), you're sure to enjoy a memorable cup whenever the mood strikes.

Try and avoid these common brewing mistakes with your home french press:

Not Waiting For The Coffee to Bloom

Trickle in your water rather than pouring it in all at once. The reason? Overwhelming the grounds with hot water immediately won't allow it to "bloom", or saturate properly.

Stirring Too Strongly

The easiest way to make your medium grind brew into undrinkable sludge is to stir too strongly. If you have to stir, do it gently following that initial bloom. This step is not required, but encouraged for optimal saturation.

Plunging Too Fast

While plunging is the fastest way toward flavorful sips, you don't want to do it too fast. Why? Your coffee might come out the same way or it might end up with dry spots or too much water: hard to extract, grainy, and overall unsavory. Slowly push down for 15-20 seconds for best results.

Leaving Coffee in The Carafe Too Long

Even if you've just brewed a fresh "pot" the night before, be weary of extending your beans' shelf life past the initial brew. Leftover coffee, including grounds that weren’t cleaned off of the plunger or carafe, will absolutely be bitter and void of layered flavor.

Want Rich, Full-Bodied Coffee? Shop Our Artisan Blends

Caramel, vanilla, or a combination of both, Mystic Monk Coffee crafts blends made for the coffee creatives both at home or inside a shop. Whether you enjoy a gentle stir or a quick pull as a part of your morning routine, we've got blends you can use for any kind of drink preference.

Think milky lattes with a hint of bitterness, or a cappuccino made perfect with fruity accents. No matter your preference palette, there's a blend you can easily pour in and pull to perfection at Mystic Monk Coffee. Even better? Use this step-by-step guide to get the perfect french press cup right from the comfort of your kitchen.