how-to
Coffee for a Coffee Press: What to Buy and How to Brew It
Quick Summary
The best coffee for a coffee press is a medium roast with a coarse grind, since it extracts full flavor without bitterness. Artificial Horizon's House Blend is a recommended choice, and a common starting ratio is 1:15 coffee to water by weight.
- Choose a medium roast, such as the House Blend with nutty and chocolate notes.
- Buy whole beans when you can and grind just before brewing.
- Use a coarse grind, roughly like sea salt or breadcrumbs.
- Start with about 30 grams of coffee for 450 grams of water.
- Steep for four minutes, then press slowly and serve right away.
Table of Contents
- Best Ground Coffee for French Press
- Coarse-Ground Coffee for French Press and Why Grind Size Matters
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio for French Press and How to Brew Coffee in a French Press
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Ground Coffee for French Press
Last Updated: November 2, 2026
A coffee press needs coffee that pulls out a full, rich flavor without bitterness. At Artificial Horizon Coffee Company, we pick beans with that in mind. Start with a medium roast. Our House Blend offers nutty notes, sweet chocolate, and a clean finish, available whole bean or pre-ground at $25.99 for a 12oz bag.
For a single-origin cup, try the Brazil Santos, with its elegant, smooth cup and cocoa notes. Buy whole beans when you can and grind just before brewing, since coffee loses flavor quickly once ground. For freshness tips, see how to choose fresh coffee beans.
Coarse-Ground Coffee for French Press and Why Grind Size Matters
A coffee press works best with a coarse grind. Fine grounds slip through the metal filter and leave sediment; coarse grounds steep evenly and filter cleanly, think sea salt or breadcrumbs.
For a different brewer, drip machines need a different grind. Check your grinder's settings before brewing.
House Blend | Medium Roast Coffee →
!Close-up of hands pouring coarsely ground coffee into a French press beside a kitchen scale
Coffee-to-Water Ratio for French Press and How to Brew Coffee in a French Press
A 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio by weight is a common starting point for a balanced French press brew. Use about 30 grams of coffee for 450 grams of water.
- Heat water to just off the boil.
- Add coarse grounds to the press.
- Pour water evenly over the grounds.
- Steep for four minutes.
- Press slowly and serve right away.
Adjust the ratio to taste. A stronger cup might use 1:13, while a lighter cup might use 1:16.
Here is the brewing process at a glance, with the timing and ratio the article recommends.
| Step | What to do | Time or ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heat water to just off the boil | Just off the boil |
| 2 | Add coarse grounds to the press | About 30 g coffee |
| 3 | Pour water evenly over the grounds | 450 g water |
| 4 | Steep | Four minutes |
| 5 | Press slowly and serve right away | Serve immediately |
| Ratio | Starting point by weight | 1:15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of coffee is best for a coffee press?
A medium roast with a coarse grind usually works well in a coffee press. Medium roasts such as House Blend from Artificial Horizon Coffee Company, with nutty and sweet chocolate notes, give a smooth, balanced cup. Whole bean coffee ground fresh at home tends to taste brighter than pre-ground, but a pre-ground option labeled for French press is a practical choice if you do not own a grinder.
Can I use fine ground coffee in a French press?
Fine grounds are not recommended for a French press. Because the metal mesh filter lets fine particles through, the cup can turn bitter and gritty with sediment. A coarse grind steeps evenly and separates cleanly when you press the plunger. If your coffee is already fine, try a slightly shorter steep and pour carefully to leave the sediment behind.
How much coffee should I use per cup in a coffee press?
A good starting point is a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio by weight, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. Ratios of 1:12 and 1:16 are also commonly used as alternatives. For a 450-gram brew, that is about 30 grams of coffee. Adjust the amount up for a stronger cup or down for a lighter one, and weigh your coffee with a kitchen scale for consistent results.
