What Coffee Is Best for French Press?
Ah, the French press – a charming, timeless, and unapologetically bold way to brew your daily elixir of life. It’s the brewing method I use EVERY morning, and you can bet I’ve tried every coffee roast profile to see which is best.
If you’ve ever pondered what coffee is best for French press, you’re in for a stimulating journey. It’s not just about chucking any grounds into your beloved beaker; there’s an art and a science to this affair. So, sit back, sip that comforting cup of Joe, and let’s explore what coffee is best for French press.
Can You Use Any Coffee in a French Press?
The beauty of the French press is its versatility; it welcomes all sorts of coffee beans with open arms. While the roast profile is important, it’s FAR more crucial to get the grind size and water temperature correct.
Roast Profile: When we talk about roast profiles, medium-dark and dark roasts tend to shine in a French press. But why? Well, it’s all about the chemistry. These darker coffee roasts have more soluble compounds that dissolve readily in water, producing a fuller-bodied and robust flavor. Lighter roasts, on the other hand, may not extract as many flavors and can lead to a milder brew. More on the science behind this later.
Grind Size: Beyond the roast profile, grind size plays a pivotal role. Aim for coffee grounds between 1,000 and 1,200 microns in size. This size provides the perfect balance to avoid under-extraction and over-extraction. If your grind is too fine, you might end up with a bitter brew. Too coarse, and your coffee could be underwhelming or lacking flavor.
Water Temperature: The ideal water temperature for French press brewing is between 205 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. At this range, you can extract the flavors efficiently without scalding the coffee or leaving it under-extracted.
So, any coffee can be used in a French press, but medium-dark and dark roasts, accompanied by the right grind size and water temperature, tend to be the winners. WHY? Let me explain!
What Coffee Is Best for French Press Brewing?
The French press, with its full-bodied, rich brew, tends to highlight certain flavor profiles. Here’s a comprehensive list of those attributes, along with a scientific exploration of why this method excels at bringing them to life:
1. Boldness: The French press accentuates the bold, strong flavors in coffee, making it perfect for those who prefer their coffee to pack a punch. This boldness is due to the higher extraction of compounds like caffeine and chlorogenic acids, which are responsible for the coffee’s bitterness and strength.
2. Nuttiness: If you crave a nutty undertone in your coffee, the French press is your go-to. It efficiently extracts compounds like 2-furfurylthiol, contributing to that nutty aroma and taste.
3. Earthiness: Coffee beans with earthy notes, like wet soil or forest floor, are right at home in a French press. This brewing method brings out the compounds responsible for these flavors, such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol.
4. Oiliness: French press coffee tends to have a richer mouthfeel, primarily because of the extraction of coffee oils and the lack of a paper filter that removes them. These oils contain a medley of aromatic compounds, enhancing the overall coffee experience and providing that #thicc mouthfeel.
5. Spiciness: Want a touch of spice in your morning cup? The French press can highlight compounds like eugenol and isoeugenol, which lend that spicy character to your brew (with certain roast profiles).
The secret to this flavor extravaganza lies in the French press’s unique technique of adding all the water at once. This initial infusion quickly extracts compounds that are easy to pull out of the grounds. The water cools when it hits the coffee and the wall of the brewing chamber, which means the compounds that take time to pull out don’t make as much of an appearance.
Unlike with pour over, where you continuously add hot water and extract a broader range of compounds, the French press highlights the compounds that extract rapidly.
What’s the Best Roast Profile for French Press?
Now, let’s get down to business: which roast profiles are best for French press brewing? Here’s a breakdown to help you find the ideal coffee to make with a French press.
Cinnamon Roast Coffee in French Press
Cinnamon roast, the lightest of all roast profiles, is a poor match for the French press (annnnd any brewing method). Does anyone really like this roast profile? No. And if you do, the French press isn’t the best way to get those sharp flavors out.
Rating: 1/10
Light Roast/City Roast Coffee in French Press
While light roast coffee has its place in the world of coffee, the French press isn’t it. Its gentle, floral notes and bright acidity will be lost in the sea of boldness that the press imparts. Opt for a method like pour-over to savor the nuances of a light roast. It’s still decent, but if you like this roast because you enjoy the characteristics of the bean profile over the roast profile, stick with something like a Hario V60 pour over cone instead.
Rating: 4/10
City Plus Roast Coffee in French Press
City Plus roast hits the sweet spot for French press enthusiasts. This roast level is just a touch beyond the City roast, with a slightly darker color and a bit more body. It retains some of the bean’s unique character while delivering a rich, full-bodied cup that also highlights the roast profile. City Plus roast is also versatile, as it can be used in pour-over cones or espresso for a different coffee experience.
Rating: 8/10
Medium Roast/Full City Roast Coffee in French Press
Medium roast, or Full City roast, is where the French press truly shines. The robust flavors of this roast profile are expertly extracted by the press, resulting in a brew that’s bold and balanced. If you’re seeking a harmonious marriage of roast depth and the French press’s brewing method, this is it.
Rating: 10/10
Full City Plus Roast Coffee in French Press
Full City Plus roast can certainly work in a French press, offering a bolder, more complex flavor with added bitterness compared to lighter roasts. However, it may not achieve the same level of harmony as a medium roast. This roast profile is suitable for other brewing methods as well, like espresso, so keep it in your repertoire.
Rating: 7/10
Dark Roast/Vienna Roast Coffee in French Press
Dark roast coffee can handle the French press heat without becoming overly bitter. The robust flavors of a dark roast still shine through, making this a reasonable choice. However, if you’re a purist looking for the ultimate French press experience, or you want to highlight the beans origin instead of the roast profile, try this bean elsewhere, like in a pour over cone. You might find a slightly muddier profile compared to medium roasts.
Rating: 6/10
French Roast Coffee in French Press
French roast, with its charred and smoky notes, isn’t a recommended choice for the French press. The method’s boldness can accentuate the roast’s intensity, leaving little room for the coffee’s subtler nuances. Save French roast for espresso or alternative brewing methods that can balance its assertive profile.
Rating: 3/10
Italian Roast Coffee in French Press
Last but not least, Italian roast is a big no-no for the French press or any other coffee brewing method. It’s like tossing your coffee into the fiery pits of Mordor, resulting in a brew that’s burnt to a crisp. Reserve Italian roast for the brave souls who prefer their coffee on the brink of oblivion, typically for espresso shots for people who don’t have taste buds.
Rating: 1/10
Wrapping Up: What Coffee to Use in French Press
In the end, the French press is a canvas for a variety of coffee beans, but the magic lies in choosing the right roast profile. While you can experiment with different roasts and find your personal favorite, medium roast, or Full City roast, is the crowd-pleaser when it comes to French press brewing. So, embrace the robust flavors, indulge in the boldness, and let your French press serenade your taste buds with its signature style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any coffee in a French press?
Yes, you can use any coffee in a French press, but some types work better than others. Medium-dark and dark roasts are ideal due to their higher solubility and bold flavors. However, it’s crucial to pay attention to grind size and water temperature. For the best results, aim for coffee grounds between 1,000 and 1,200 microns and a water temperature between 205 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. These factors ensure optimal extraction without over-brewing or under-extracting, allowing you to enjoy the full potential of your coffee in a French press.
Why does the French press highlight specific flavor profiles in coffee?
The French press excels at highlighting bold, nutty, earthy, and spicy flavors in coffee due to its unique brewing technique. By adding all the water at once, it extracts compounds that are near the surface of the coffee grounds, quickly revealing these flavor characteristics. Other brewing methods, like pour-over, add hot water gradually, leading to a different set of compounds taking center stage. So, the French press is your best bet if you seek a coffee experience that emphasizes notes of chocolate, spice, and nuttiness.
What roast profiles are best for French press brewing?
The ideal roast profiles for French press brewing depend on your flavor preferences. For a balanced and robust cup, go for a medium roast or Full City roast. These roast levels offer a harmonious marriage between roast depth and brewing method. Dark roasts can also work but may result in a slightly muddier profile. Lighter roasts like cinnamon or City roast are less suitable for French press, as the lighter flavors and brightness tend to be overpowered by the boldness that a French press provides.
Is Italian roast coffee ever suitable for a French press?
Italian roast coffee is not recommended for a French press or any other brewing method. This roast level is excessively dark and excessively burnt, and its intense smokiness can overwhelm the brew, leaving little room for the subtler nuances of the coffee. It’s better suited for espresso brewing, where its boldness and charred notes might find their place. In the world of French press, stick to roast profiles like medium, dark, or Full City for the best results and a delightful coffee experience.