French press coffee ratio
A French press holds the grounds in the water the whole time, so it is forgiving about ratio and punishes a fine grind. 1:15 is a good first brew. Go to 1:17 if it tastes heavy, 1:13 if it tastes thin.
Change any field and the others update. Typical range for French press: 1:12 to 1:17.
Coffee
30 g
Water
450 ml
Tbsp (approx.)
6
Water: 15.2 fl oz, 1.9 cups
The numbers
- Starting ratio
- 1:15
- Usual range
- 1:12 to 1:17
- Grind
- Coarse, like breadcrumbs
- Water temperature
- 93–96 °C (200–205 °F)
- Brew time
- 4 minutes
- Example
- A 1 liter press takes about 60 g of coffee and 900 ml of water at 1:15.
Steps
- Weigh the coffee and add it to the press.
- Pour in all the water in one go and start a timer.
- Stir once, put the lid on without pressing, and wait 4 minutes.
- Press slowly and pour right away. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter.
Tips
- A fine grind leaks through the mesh and clogs the plunger. Go coarser.
- For a cleaner cup, spoon off the foam after stirring and let it sit 8 minutes before pressing.
Cup not right? Bitter or sour coffee: what to change.