Coffee Beans and French Press - What You Should Know About
This mid-1800s means of brewing coffee is preferred by many coffee lovers today because of its simple aesthetics and exquisite taste. French press, as it is called, is composed of a cylindrical pot (the container) and a plunger with a bulit-in filter. The process is really simple: press the plunger down and serve. Even so, preparation takes precision and technique to make sure that the taste is rich and earthy.
French press relies on grind level, temperature range, ratio, and time in order to taste great. That's why practice is key.
Buying Whole Coffee Beans vs. Pre-Ground Coffee
This topic is quite popular among consumers of French press and other coffee brewing methods. Some think that whole coffee beans are the best because they stay fresh longer, while others believe that pre-ground is effective and less complicated.
Outlined below are some pros and cons of each:
Whole Beans:
Requires a burr grinder
Requires time and effort
Full control of grind size
Longer shelf life
Pre-Ground:
Widely available
No need to grind; quick preparation
Fixed grind size per pack sold
Begins to lose flavor after grinding
All things considered, whole coffee beans is definitely the superior choice. It may take time to learn how to grind, but having more control over making coffee also means having more grip on the outcome.
Grind Size for French Press
Some manufacturers of French press apparatus recommend medium grind, but many aficionados recommend coarse grind. Medium grind is smaller than coarse, and the coffee grounds tend to stick to the built-in filter or even go through it. This results in a bitter coffee with chunks in it.
Coarse grind is comparable to the size of a table salt. A good quality burr grinder should have the correct settings to produce a grind of that size.
Popular Coffee Beans for French Press
Now that the verdict is out, let's check out 5 of the best coffee beans for French press.
Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass, Dark Roast, Whole Bean
Sweet and smoky flavor
Arabica variety
Dark roast
Sourced from Indonesia (Southeast Asia) and South America
Fair Trade certified
Kosher certified (Jewish dietary law)
Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Gourmet Coffee
Rich chocolaty flavor
Arabica variety
Medium-dark roast
Sourced from Honduras
Certified organic (CCOF)
Eight O’Clock Whole Bean Coffee, The Original
Sweet, fruity, balanced flavor
Arabica variety
Medium roast
Since 1859
Sourced from Latin America, East Africa
Death Wish Organic Whole Bean Coffee
High caffeine content
Robusta variety
Fair Trade certified
Kosher certified
Certified organic (USDA)
Koffee Kult Medium Roast Coffee Beans
Bold flavor with smooth finish
Sourced from Brazil and Colombia
Arabica variety
Medium roast
Supports direct trade sustainable farming
Want more options? Check out this guide on the best coffee beans for French press.

















