Brewing coffee with a French press is a ritual that rewards patience and quality. The full immersion method coaxes out the rich oils and subtle nuances from the coffee grounds, resulting in a robust and full-bodied cup that other brewing techniques struggle to match. To achieve this, the right coffee is essential.
Choosing beans with the correct roast profile and grind size makes all the difference. Whether you prefer a bright and complex medium roast or a deep and intense dark roast, our selection is designed to help you find the perfect match for your press. We’ve curated a list of top-tier coffees that excel in this classic brewing method.
Our Top French Press Coffee Picks
- Onyx Coffee Lab “Geometry Blend” Medium Roasted Whole Bean Coffee
- French Press Specialty Coffee, Coarse Ground, Primos Coffee Co
- Two Volcanoes Coffee – Gourmet Guatemala Whole Bean Medium Roast
- Koffee Kult Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Small Batch 100% Arabica
- Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend, Low Acid
- Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Dark Roast Whole Bean
- Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
- Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass, Dark Roast, Whole Bean, Certified Organic
- Peet’s Coffee, Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast Whole Bean
Onyx Coffee Lab “Geometry Blend” Medium Roasted Whole Bean Coffee
For those who appreciate a meticulously crafted cup, Onyx Coffee Lab’s Geometry Blend is a standout choice. This medium roast is roasted-to-order, ensuring you receive it at the peak of freshness. As an award-winning artisan coffee, it brings a level of complexity and balance that is perfect for the French press method.
Supplied as whole beans, this coffee allows you to grind immediately before brewing, which is key to preserving the delicate flavors and aromas that a French press can highlight so well. The result is a clean, vibrant cup with nuanced notes that will satisfy even the most discerning coffee enthusiast.
French Press Specialty Coffee, Coarse Ground, Primos Coffee Co
Primos Coffee Co takes the guesswork out of the equation with this coarse-ground coffee specifically designed for French press brewing. The coarse grind is essential for a clean extraction, preventing fine silt from passing through the mesh filter and into your cup. This medium roast is noted for its mild character and smooth, easy-drinking profile.
Expect a coffee with a medium body, low acidity, and subtle notes of sweet fruit and cacao. Because the coffee is never blended, you get a consistent flavor profile with every bag. It’s an excellent option for a reliable and pleasant daily brew.
Two Volcanoes Coffee – Gourmet Guatemala Whole Bean Medium Roast
Experience the unique terroir of Guatemala with this single-origin coffee from Two Volcanoes. Grown at the base of two volcanoes, the beans benefit from mineral-rich soil, which contributes to their distinct and full-bodied flavor. As a single-origin coffee, it offers a pure, unblended taste that is both rare and satisfying.
The medium roast profile is key here, as it allows the bean’s natural earthy flavors to shine without the bitterness that can sometimes accompany darker roasts. Roasted in small batches for an even finish, this coffee produces a balanced and aromatic cup that is ideal for a slow-brewed French press.
Koffee Kult Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
Koffee Kult’s Dark Roast is a bold choice for those who prefer a stronger, more intense cup from their French press. This artisan blend combines 100% Arabica beans from Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra, roasted in small batches to achieve a smooth and well-balanced flavor profile despite its dark roast classification.
The whole beans are sourced organically, and the resulting brew is known for its lack of bitterness. The French press method amplifies the body and richness of this dark roast, making for a deeply satisfying and robust coffee experience that stands up well to milk or cream.
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend
While marketed for cold brew, Stone Street’s dark roast is exceptionally well-suited for the French press. Its low-acid, Colombian Supremo beans are dark roasted to bring out nutty and chocolate notes, which translate beautifully into a smooth and full-bodied hot coffee. The low acidity makes it a great option for sensitive stomachs.
Sold as whole beans, you can grind them to the perfect coarse consistency for your press. The blend is formulated to be strong without being harsh, allowing you to adjust the strength to your personal preference for a consistently excellent result.
Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Dark Roast Whole Bean
Death Wish Coffee is renowned for its high caffeine content, making it a go-to for those needing an extra-strong start to their day. Beyond the energy boost, it offers a surprisingly smooth flavor profile with subtle notes of cherry and chocolate, avoiding the bitterness often associated with high-caffeine dark roasts.
The blend of premium Arabica and Robusta beans is organic and fair trade. When brewed in a French press, the method effectively extracts the deep, bold flavors while maintaining the coffee’s characteristic smoothness, resulting in a powerful yet balanced cup.
Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
Major Dickason’s Blend is a cornerstone of Peet’s Coffee, known for its rich, complex, and full-bodied character. This dark roast blend is crafted from beans sourced around the world, creating a deep and layered flavor that stands up perfectly to the full immersion brewing of a French press.
Peet’s is obsessed with freshness, and their whole bean coffee allows you to capture the full aroma and flavor at home. The result is a robust and invigorating cup with a complexity that has made this blend a favorite for decades.
Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass, Dark Roast, Whole Bean
Kicking Horse Coffee’s “Kick Ass” dark roast is an organic, fairtrade, and kosher certified coffee that lives up to its name. Roasted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, this coffee offers a deep and delicious flavor profile with tasting notes of chocolate malt, molasses, and licorice.
The whole beans are perfect for grinding fresh for your French press. The dark roast produces a cup with an earthy, lingering finish and a full body that is both powerful and satisfying, making it a fantastic choice for anyone who enjoys a profound coffee experience.
Peet’s Coffee, Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast Whole Bean
As a repeat entry on our list, the prominence of Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend is a testament to its quality and popularity. This iconic blend is a benchmark for what a dark roast can be—complex and full-bodied without sacrificing drinkability.
Using a French press with these whole beans allows the rich, nuanced flavors to fully develop. It’s a reliable and consistently excellent coffee that has earned its place as a staple in many coffee lovers’ kitchens, providing a deeply satisfying brew every time.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Coffee for French Press
Choosing the right coffee for your French press can feel a bit overwhelming with all the options out there. But getting it right makes a huge difference in your cup. The French press, or cafetière, is a full-immersion brewer, meaning the coffee grounds steep in hot water for several minutes. This method produces a rich, full-bodied cup that really highlights the coffee’s natural oils and deep flavors. Because of this, the type of coffee bean you use is incredibly important.
First, let’s talk about roast level. This is probably the most critical choice. For a French press, I almost always recommend a medium to dark roast. Lighter roasts can sometimes taste a bit sour or underdeveloped in this brewer, as the method naturally emphasizes body and sweetness over delicate, bright acidity. A medium roast strikes a beautiful balance, offering complexity and some brightness while still having that classic, rounded body the French press is known for. A dark roast will give you those classic, bold notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts—a real crowd-pleaser and a safe bet if you’re just starting out.
Next up is the grind. This is non-negotiable: you need a coarse grind. If your coffee ground is too fine, it will slip through the mesh filter and end up as sludge in your cup. It can also lead to over-extraction, making your coffee taste unpleasantly bitter. A coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt, allows for a clean extraction and a smooth finish. If you can, invest in a burr grinder. It gives you a much more consistent grind size than a blade grinder, which is key for an even brew.
Finally, consider the origin and flavor notes. Coffees from Central and South America, like those from Brazil or Colombia, are often fantastic in a French press. They tend to have nutty, chocolatey, or caramel notes that shine with this brewing style. If you prefer something a bit more intense and earthy, a Sumatran or other Indonesian coffee is a great choice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different single-origins and blends to find your personal favorite for the 9 best coffee for French press. The beauty of this method is its ability to deliver a robust and honest representation of the bean, so choose something that sounds good to you and get brewing.
FAQ
What is the best roast for French press coffee?
For French press, medium to dark roasts are generally your best bet. The full-immersion brewing process really complements the deeper, richer flavors found in these roasts. A medium roast will offer a great balance of body and complexity, while a dark roast delivers those classic, bold notes of dark chocolate and toasted nuts that many people love in their morning cup. Light roasts can sometimes taste a bit sharp or sour in a French press.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a French press?
You can, but I highly recommend grinding your beans fresh right before you brew. Pre-ground coffee is almost always ground for automatic drip machines, which is a medium grind—too fine for a French press. This will result in a muddy cup with too much sediment. If you must use pre-ground, look for a brand that specifically offers a coarse grind option. For the best experience with our top roasty recommendations for the 9 best coffee for French press, fresh grinding is the way to go.
Why is my French press coffee cloudy or muddy?
A cloudy cup is almost always caused by one of two things: a grind that is too fine or over-aggressive plunging. If your grind is too fine, small particles will pass through the mesh filter. When you plunge, you should do it slowly and gently. Pushing down too hard can force fine grounds through the filter and agitate the coffee, making it murky. Using a proper coarse grind and a gentle plunge will give you a much cleaner cup.
How coarse should the coffee be for a French press?
Your coffee grounds should be very coarse, similar to raw sugar or coarse sea salt. You want the particles to be large enough that they are effectively trapped by the mesh filter. If your grind looks like table salt or sand, it’s too fine. A consistent coarse grind is the single most important factor in preventing a sludgy cup of coffee.
How long should I steep French press coffee?
The standard steeping time is four minutes. I start my timer as soon as I pour the hot water over the grounds. After pouring, I give the grounds a quick stir to make sure they are all fully saturated, then place the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up. At the four-minute mark, I press the plunger down slowly and steadily. You can adjust this time slightly to suit your taste—a shorter steep for a weaker cup, a longer one for more intensity—but four minutes is a great starting point.