Our Recommended French Press Grounds To Water Ratio

The French press is a forgiving way to brew coffee, especially with ratios. While precise ratios matter, with a French press, you’ve got more room to play around. Your choice of coffee to water ratio greatly impacts your brew – get it right for a delightful cup, or miss the mark for something less pleasant.

There are general guidelines for coffee ratios, but with the French press, it’s more about personal taste. Like it strong? Use more coffee. Prefer it lighter? Add more water.

In this guide, I’ll share my preferred French press ratios. Feel free to use these as a starting point and adjust to your liking. 

Let’s find your ideal cup!

Coffee Grounds to Water Ratio for French Press

Alright, let’s dive right into the heart of brewing with a French press: finding that perfect coffee-to-water ratio. You’ve probably heard about the “golden ratio,” right?

It’s this simple rule where you use between 1:15 and 1:18 ratio of coffee to water.

In plain speak, that’s 1 gram of coffee for every 15 to 18 grams of water. This is a sweet spot for most coffee brewing methods, French press included.

Why is it called the golden ratio? Because it’s a solid starting point to ensure your coffee tastes just right. But hey, coffee brewing isn’t about strict rules. It’s totally fine to stray from these guidelines.

After all, everyone’s taste is different. Some like their brew strong and bold, while others prefer it lighter.

If you’re feeling a bit lost or just starting out, stick with this ratio.

It’s a great guide to get you brewing confidently. And don’t worry, I’ve got you covered if math isn’t your thing. Below, I’ve listed how much coffee and water you need for three common French press sizes, all using the 1:18 ratio.

It’s a no-fuss way to get a delicious cup every time. 

The 3-cup French press is probably the smallest size you’ll encounter, and the 12-cup is typically the largest sold.

But if you find that you need to work out the ratio for a different size, just take the volume of water and divide it by 18, which will give you the grams of ground coffee you need to add.

Our Preferred French Press Coffee Maker Ratio

That chart we just talked about? It’s based on a 1:18 coffee-to-water ratio.

That’s a pretty good standard for a satisfying cup. But here’s the thing – at Bean Ground, we’re all about a bit more oomph in our French press coffee. So, we often lean towards a 1:16 ratio. It gives that extra kick we love.

Remember how I mentioned playing it by ear with these ratios?

That’s because there’s no one-size-fits-all in coffee brewing. It’s all about what tastes right to you. If you’re after a stronger, bolder cup, scale back on the water a bit. And if a lighter, more subtle flavor is your thing, just add a little more water to the mix.

The beauty of the French press is its flexibility. Unlike other brewing methods that demand precise ratios, here you can tweak things. You can adjust not just the water, but also the grind size, brewing time, and even the water temperature.

So, don’t be afraid to experiment until you hit your perfect balance.

After all, making coffee is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

Let’s find your “sweet” spot!

Use Good Quality Coffee Beans

Alright, let’s get into the heart of making a fantastic cup of French press coffee. 

It’s all well and good discussing the best coffee grounds to water ratios to use, but, if you don’t start with a solid foundation, and by that, I mean freshly roasted, high-quality whole coffee beans, you’re setting yourself up to fail. 

The ratios won’t do you any good if you’re using mediocre coffee beans.

Remember how I emphasized starting with good-quality coffee beans? That’s because no matter how perfect your water-to-grounds ratio is, the end result heavily depends on the beans you choose. 

Consider the roast date. Beans are at their peak flavor a few days to a couple of weeks after roasting. Using beans that are too fresh or way past their prime can make your brew fall flat.

And when you’re choosing beans, think about where they come from. Beans from different regions have unique flavor profiles. Experimenting with beans from, say, Ethiopia or Colombia, can really elevate your French press experience.

Lastly, how you store these beans matters. Keep them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.

Trust me, taking care of your beans is just as important as getting that ratio right. 

Troubleshooting Common Problems With French Press Coffee

Conclusion

And there you have it – everything you need to know to brew up a delicious cup of French press coffee. The key points to remember are to use a good coffee-to-water ratio as a starting point.

The “golden ratio” of 1:15 to 1:18 is a great baseline, but feel free to adjust the ratio to your personal taste – use less water for a stronger brew or more for a milder flavor.

It’s also crucial to begin with fresh, quality roasted coffee beans.

It makes a significant impact on the final brew. Additionally, pay attention to grind size. Aim for a coarse grind to avoid sludge or a stuck press.

The standard 4-minute brew time is a good guide, but tweak as needed to suit your preferences. And be sure to store your beans properly after opening to maintain freshness.

You can fix many common issues by tweaking variables like grind, time, temperature, etc. The French press gives you the flexibility to experiment and dial in what works best for you. So don’t be afraid to play around until you perfect your technique. 

With a little practice, you’ll be expertly brewing delicious French press coffee tailored to your taste – no barista required. 

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