What exactly is cold brew?

Cold brew is coffee concentrate made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. Unlike iced coffee, which is simply hot coffee poured over ice, this slow, cold process creates a distinct, smooth flavour.

What is so special about cold brew coffee?

The special thing about cold brew is its incredibly smooth, low-acid flavour profile. Brewing with cold water extracts fewer bitter and acidic compounds, yielding a naturally sweeter, richer concentrate that is gentler on your stomach than regular drip coffee.

Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?

Yes, cold brew is usually much stronger because it is typically made as a concentrate using a high coffee-to-water ratio such as 1:4. When serving, you need to dilute this concentrate, which ultimately determines the final caffeine and strength level of your cup.

How to make cold brew coffee in Australia?

Start with fresh, quality beans from local roasters who specialise in cold brew beans like Di Stefano. Use a 1:4 cold brew ratio of coarse grounds to filtered cold water, steeping for 12 to 18 hours, ideally in the refrigerator for a consistently smooth result.

Is cold brewed coffee healthier?

Many people consider cold brewed coffee to be healthier primarily because its low acidity makes it easier to digest. Since cold water extracts far fewer acidic oils, it can be a great option for people who experience heartburn or stomach sensitivity with traditional hot coffee.

How To Make French Press Coffee

Q: What does a French press actually do?

The French press is a full immersion brewer. It holds the coffee grounds fully submerged in hot water until extraction is complete. Its plunger mechanism then uses a mesh filter to separate the liquid from the grounds, producing a heavy-bodied coffee rich in oils and flavour.

Q: How do you use a French press?

To use a French press, combine your medium-coarse grind and hot water at roughly 93°C using a 1:15 ratio and let it steep for 4 minutes. Include a 30-second bloom at the start for better flavour extraction, and always decant immediately to avoid bitterness.

Q: Is French press the strongest coffee?

French press coffee often tastes the strongest because of its high concentration of oils and sediment, which creates a thick, rich mouthfeel. While it may not have the highest caffeine content compared to espresso, the dense, full-bodied texture makes it feel especially robust.

Q: Is French press better than pour over?

Neither is better, as the French press and pour over provide different experiences. The French press offers a full-bodied, oily texture, while pour over methods such as V60 produce a cleaner, brighter cup where acidity and delicate flavours stand out.

The French press coffee method is all about getting up close and personal with your beans. It’s a full immersion brewing technique that produces a rich, full-bodied coffee with deep, intense flavour. If you've ever wondered how to use a French press to get a cafe-quality cup at home, this French press guide shows you the secret: precision matters, but it's simpler than you think.

Key Takeaways

Achieve a rich, full-bodied texture by using the precise 1:15 coffee to water mass ratio (usually 40g to 600g) combined with a medium-coarse grind.
Maximise flavour extraction by incorporating the crucial 30-second bloom at the start of the process, then steep for a standard 4 minutes using water near $93°C
To prevent a bitter taste, decant immediately after slowly plunging the French press to stop extraction, as leaving the coffee in the carafe causes over-steeping.

The 5-Step French Press Recipe

Use this barista-approved French press recipe to level up your home brewing and simplify the process.

Step 1: Select Your Beans, Measure, and Grind

Start with your coffee selection. Use a medium to medium-dark roast, as these are the best coffee beans for French press.They thrive in the full immersion process, giving you those amazing chocolatey, nutty, and rich flavours. You need a medium-coarse grind, roughly the size of coarse sea salt.

Pro Tip: Get that kitchen scale out, it's your new best friend! Grind your beans just before brewing and weigh them precisely before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Preheat and Nail the Ratio

Warm your French press carafe with hot water and discard the water. Now, weigh out your ingredients precisely. The best French press ratio starts at 1:15 coffee to water by mass (grams). This is your foundation for a strong, full-bodied cup. The standard measurement and ratio is 40 grams of coffee to 600 grams of water.

Pro Tip: Your target water temperature is key: aim for around 93°C (that's just after it comes off the boil).

Step 3: The All-Important Bloom

Add a small amount of your hot water to the grounds. Watch them bubble and expand! Let it bloom for 30 seconds. This is the coffee releasing gasses, which ensures even extraction and enhances the flavour.

Pro Tip: Use just enough water to fully saturate the grounds. Resist stirring now to avoid disrupting the bloom formation.

Step 4: Add Water, Steep, and Time It

Pour the remaining hot water evenly, making sure all the grounds are submerged. Give it one gentle stir, pop the lid on (plunger up!), and set your timer. You're aiming to answer how long to brew French press for that perfect balance. In terms of how long to brew French press, we recommend 4 minutes.

Pro Tip: Adjust steep time by 30 seconds if you need to fine-tune strength.

Step 5: Plunge and Decant Immediately

Slowly press the plunger down just enough to separate the grounds from the liquid. Crucially: Pour it all out immediately! Leaving the coffee in the French press is like leaving a steak on the heat, it keeps extracting and will quickly taste overly bitter.

Pro Tip: Press the plunger down slowly (about 20-30 seconds) with steady, even pressure to avoid disturbing grounds.

Troubleshooting Common French Press Problems

Use this handy troubleshooting guide to diagnose and fix the most common problems when making French press coffee.

Issue	Symptom	Cause	Solution
Excess Sediment	Gritty texture	Grind too fine or fast plunger	Use coarser grind, plunge slowly, check filter fit
Weak Flavour	Thin, underwhelming taste	Grind too coarse, short steep, low dose	Use finer grind, full 4-minute steep, correct 1:15 ratio
Bitter Flavour	Harsh, dry finish	Over-steep, too fine grind, hot water	Shorten brew to 4 min, coarser grind, 93°C water, decant promptly
Muddy Texture	Cloudy with sediment	Fine grind or damaged filter	Grind coarser, replace filter, slow plunge
Uneven Flavour	Inconsistent taste	Uneven pouring, over/under stirring	Pour evenly, stir once gently, stick to 4 mins steep
Off Flavours	Sour, metallic, stale	Old beans, bad water, dirty press	Use fresh beans, clean water, clean press thoroughly

Why Brew with a French Press at Home?

The French press coffee method is one of the most popular and rewarding ways to enjoy coffee at home. Here's why we love it!

Full-Bodied Texture: No paper filter means all the delicious, complex oils stay in your cup, giving you that thick, velvety, full-bodied texture that French press is famous for.
Depth of Flavour: The full immersion method allows for the extraction of rich, complex aromas, giving your brew a flavour depth that drip methods often miss.
Total Control: You have manual control over every variable, from the water temperature to brewing time, allowing you to fine-tune your perfect cup.
Di Stefano Coffee Beans: Rich, full-bodied beans like our 1820 Dark Roast blend (with fig, blackberry, and dark chocolate notes) excel in the French press, where the full immersion highlights their immense depth and strength.

The Best Coffee for French Press Starts Here

Following these French press instructions is simple once you prioritise careful weighing and the vital "bloom" step. Ready to bring cafe-quality strength and flavour to your home? Shop the Di Stefano collection, including our 1820 Dark Roast Coffee Beans, today, and taste the difference quality makes in your next rich, full-bodied cup!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a French press actually do?

The French press is essentially a full immersion brewer. It holds the coffee grounds fully submerged in hot water until extraction is complete. Its plunger mechanism then uses a mesh filter to separate the liquid from the grounds, delivering a heavy-bodied coffee rich in oils and flavour.

How do you use a French press?

To use a French press, you simply combine your medium-coarse grind and hot water (around93°C) at a 1:15 ratio and let it steep for 4 minutes. Don't forget the 30-second bloom at the start for better flavor extraction, and always decant immediately to avoid bitterness.

Is French press the strongest coffee?

French press coffee often tastes the strongest due to its incredibly high concentration of oils and sediment, which creates that thick, rich mouthfeel. While it may not have the highest caffeine content per serving compared to espresso, the dense, full-bodied texture certainly makes it feel the most robust.

Is French press better than pour over?

Neither is "better," as the French press and pour over offer completely different experiences. The French press delivers an unmatched full-bodied, oily texture, while pour over (like V60) produces a cleaner, brighter cup where acidity and delicate flavours shine.

Additional Reading

Keen to learn more about brewing and making coffee? We have a stack of additional content to keep you informed.

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About the Author

Nicolas Di Stefano, a third-generation Master Roaster and Director of Di Stefano Coffee, continues his family’s proud legacy of exceptional coffee craftsmanship. Blending traditional Italian roasting methods with a modern dedication to quality, Nicolas ensures every cup embodies the rich flavour and consistency Australians have come to love.