The Simple Art of a Great Cup of Coffee
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about a French press.
No complicated machinery. No paper filters. No elaborate pouring technique. Just coffee, hot water, a little patience, and a simple press.
At Green Man Coffee Co., this is one of our favorite ways to enjoy coffee. This is our favorite method of roasting and this, along with pour over, is what our pre-ground coffee is ideal for.
The French press allows the coffee to speak for itself. It produces a rich, full-bodied cup with a depth and texture that can be difficult to achieve with paper-filtered methods.
So, if you’ve never used one before, don’t be intimidated. French press coffee is one of the easiest—and most rewarding—ways to make exceptional coffee at home.
A Brief History of the French Press
Despite the name, the French press has a history that crosses several European countries.
Early versions of the coffee press appeared in France during the 1800s. One early design was patented in France in 1852, although it lacked the tight-fitting filter and plunger that characterize the modern press.
The design continued to evolve. In the 1920s, French inventor Marcel-Pierre Paquet dit Jolbert patented an improved version, and in 1929 Italian designers Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta patented a design featuring a spring-sealed plunger and mesh filter.
The brewer continued to develop through the 20th century. In 1958, Italian designer Faliero Bondanini patented another important version, which was manufactured in a French clarinet factory and helped establish the familiar press-pot design we recognize today.
Eventually, the French press became a fixture throughout European kitchens and coffee culture before spreading around the world.
Today, it is known by several names: French press, press pot, cafetière, coffee press, and plunger pot.
Why Is a French Press Different?
The biggest difference is the filter.
Most drip coffee makers and pour-over brewers use paper filters. Paper removes many of the natural oils and tiny coffee particles that would otherwise make their way into your cup.
A French press uses a metal mesh filter.
Instead of trapping those oils, the mesh allows them to remain in the coffee. The result is a cup that tends to be:
● Richer
● Fuller-bodied
● More aromatic
● More textured
● Less “clean” and delicate than paper-filtered coffee
That texture is part of the appeal.
French press coffee doesn’t try to hide the character of the coffee. It gives you the coffee with its oils, body, aroma, and natural character intact.
And because the grounds are completely immersed in water, there is no complicated pouring technique to master. That makes the French press particularly friendly to beginners.
How To Make A Great French Press
You don’t need expensive equipment.
What you’ll need:
● A French press
● Coffee
● Hot water
● A spoon
● A timer
● A scale, if you have one
For the best results, use freshly ground coffee or quality pre-ground coffee intended for immersion brewing.
Green Man Coffee Co. pre-ground coffee is particularly well suited to French press and pour-over brewing.
Step 1: Heat Your Water
Bring your water to approximately 200–205°F (93–96°C).
If you don’t have a thermometer, simply bring the water to a boil and allow it to sit for roughly 30 seconds.
Water temperature matters because extremely hot water can make some coffees taste harsh, while water that is too cool can leave the coffee tasting weak or under-extracted.
Step 2: Use The Right Amount Of Coffee
A good starting point is approximately:
30 grams of coffee to 450–500 grams (ml) of water.
That’s roughly a 1:15–1:17 coffee-to-water ratio.
(However don’t be scared to play with this/experiment and see what you like best. We at Green Man Coffee co. Like our coffee strong, so personally we go a little heavier than this.)
Don’t have a kitchen scale?
That’s okay. You can still make excellent coffee. Start with a generous amount of coffee and adjust from there according to your taste.
If your coffee tastes too weak, add more coffee.
If it tastes too strong, use slightly less.
The goal isn’t a mathematical formula.
The goal is a cup you love.
Step 3: Use A Coarse Grind
French press coffee works best with a coarse grind, roughly resembling coarse sea salt.
This is important.
Coffee that is ground too finely can make its way through the mesh filter, producing an overly muddy or bitter cup. A coarse, consistent grind allows the water to extract the coffee properly while keeping the finished cup pleasant and balanced.
This is one reason our pre-ground coffee is prepared with brewing methods such as French press in mind.
Step 4: Add The Coffee
Place your coffee grounds into the bottom of the French press.
Pour in enough hot water to thoroughly saturate the grounds.
Give it a gentle stir.
This ensures that all of the coffee comes into contact with the water.
Step 5: Fill The Press
Slowly add the rest of your water.
Place the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up.
Now comes the hardest part:
Wait.
Step 6: Let It Brew
Allow the coffee to steep for approximately 4 minutes.
Four minutes is an excellent starting point for a French press, although you can adjust the time according to the coffee and your personal taste.
While it is brewing, resist the temptation to constantly stir or mess with it.
Let the coffee and water do their work.
Step 7: Press Slowly
When the time is up, gently push the plunger downward.
Don’t force it.
A slow, steady press is better than trying to ram the plunger through the coffee.
The mesh filter separates the grounds from the brewed coffee while allowing those wonderful coffee oils to remain.
Step 8: Pour And Enjoy
This is important:
Pour the coffee out of the French press once you’ve finished brewing.
Don’t leave the brewed coffee sitting on top of the grounds for an extended period of time. Continued contact can lead to additional extraction and eventually a more bitter or astringent cup.
Pour it into your favorite mug.
Then take a moment.
Smell it.
Look at the color.
Take that first sip.
That’s the ritual.
The Green Man Method
At Green Man Coffee Co., we believe coffee should be more than something you throw into a machine while you’re running out the door.
Coffee can be craft.
Coffee can be art.
Coffee can be ritual.
And the French press embodies that idea beautifully.
There is something almost old-fashioned about watching the grounds bloom, pouring the water yourself, waiting for the coffee to develop, and finally pressing the plunger.
It’s simple.
It’s hands-on.
And it gives you control over the finished cup.
For our coffee, we especially love the French press because it allows the character of the roast to remain front and center.
Open-fire roasted coffee deserves to be experienced—not hidden behind complicated equipment.
French Press Quick Guide
Coffee: 30g
Water: 450–500ml
Grind: Coarse
Water temperature: 200–205°F
Brew time: About 4 minutes
Press: Slowly
Serve: Immediately
And remember: these are starting points, not commandments.
Make it stronger.
Make it lighter.
Brew it a little longer.
Try it a little shorter.
Coffee is personal.
The best French press is the one that makes your perfect cup.
Ready To Try It?
If you’re new to French press coffee, start simple.
Grab your French press, some hot water, and a bag of Green Man Coffee Co.
Our pre-ground coffee is particularly well suited for French press and pour-over brewing, making it easy to get started without needing a grinder.
Then slow down and enjoy the process.
Because at Green Man Coffee Co., we don’t believe coffee should simply be consumed.
It should be experienced.
Green Man Coffee Co.
Coffee as Craft. Coffee as Art. Coffee as Ritual.