Brewing Perfect Cafetière Coffee at Home
Want rich, full-bodied coffee without the fuss? A cafetière (or French press) is a brilliant brew method that’s both easy and forgiving — ideal for those slow weekend mornings or when you’re brewing for a few people.
Here’s how to get the most out of your cafetière, from grind size to plunge technique.
What You'll Need
- Freshly roasted coffee (coarse ground)
- A cafetière (French press)
- Kettle
- Stirrer or spoon
- Scales (optional but helpful)
- Timer
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
The golden rule is 60g of coffee per litre of water. If you don’t want to weigh, aim for 1 heaped tablespoon per 150ml water.
Example Brew:
- 30g coffee (coarse grind)
- 500ml freshly boiled water
Step-by-Step Brewing Guide
1. Preheat the Cafetière
Rinse it with hot water. This keeps your brew warmer for longer.
2. Add Coffee
Add your ground coffee to the empty cafetière.
3. Pour Water
Start your timer. Add half the water, making sure all grounds are wet. Wait 30 seconds (this lets the coffee “bloom”). Then pour the rest.
4. Stir and Steep
Give it a gentle stir. Pop the lid on (don’t plunge yet). Let it steep for 4 minutes.
5. Plunge Slowly
At 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. If it feels stiff, your grind might be too fine.
6. Serve Immediately
Pour all the coffee out straight away to avoid over-extraction (it keeps brewing otherwise).
Cleaning Your Cafetière
Rinse thoroughly after every brew to avoid stale flavours. For a deep clean, dismantle and wash with mild soap weekly.
FAQs About Cafetière Coffee
Can I use espresso grind in a cafetière?
Not ideal. It will make plunging difficult, and your coffee will taste bitter.
How long should I brew it for?
Four minutes is the sweet spot. Too short and it’ll be under-extracted. Too long and it’ll be muddy.
Can I reuse the grounds?
Technically yes, but don’t. The second brew will be weak and sour.
Shop Our Beans
Looking for the perfect beans to use with your cafetière? Our house blends and single origins are roasted fresh in Wrexham, with plenty of options that suit immersion brewing. Shop beans here →
