How Much Coffee to Use in a French Press?

Using a French press is a wonderful way to enjoy a completely customized coffee beverage.  A French press works by steeping coffee grounds in hot water.  After you have finished steeping your coffee grounds, you push down the top of the French press.  Then you can pour out your coffee and enjoy it!

Don't miss our complete guide on how a French press works!

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How Much Coffee to Use in a French Press?

Did I mention the best part of using a French press is being able to completely customize your coffee to your taste?  You can do this by adjusting both the steeping time and the amount of coffee grounds you use.

Of course, we all need a starting point to work with.  To determine this, I always turn to Bodum, who are the gold standard when it comes to French presses:

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bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, 34 Ounce, Matte Chrome
bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, 34 Ounce, Matte Chrome
8 Cup French Press Coffee Maker allows you to brew flavorful coffee in 4 minutes; No paper filters required, means more flavor without any waste
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Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker , 34 Ounce, Black
Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker , 34 Ounce, Black
Iconic French press coffee maker that brings out the full flavor and aroma of your brew.; The body, handle and domed lid are made from lightweight, BPA-free plastic.
Bodum 1-Liter 8-Cup Coffee Make Brazil French Press, 34 oz, Red
Bodum 1-Liter 8-Cup Coffee Make Brazil French Press, 34 oz, Red
8 cup French Press Coffeemaker allows you to brew flavorful coffee in 4 minutes; No paper filters required, means more flavor without any waste

According to Bodum:

Use 1 Tablespoon of Ground Coffee per 4 ounces of Water

This brings us to our next point.

How Many Scoops of Coffee for French Press?

If you aren't familiar with a coffee scoop, a coffee scoop is equal to two tablespoons.

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If you want to make one 8 ounce cup of coffee, use one coffee scoop full of grounds.

It is that simple!

How Much Coffee Beans for French Press?

This is where things get tricky, since you need to know how many coffee beans to grind to make coffee in a French press.

Remember, French press uses a coarse coffee grind, which means there will be lots of air in your coffee grounds.  Kind of like the space between coffee beans when you put them in a coffee scoop!

Simply measure out the same amount of beans you need with the Bodum method.

This means you can use one coffee scoop of beans for every eight ounces of coffee you would like to make.

Customizing Your French Press Coffee

The best part of French press coffee is you can make it exactly how you would like it.

While you may start with the one coffee scoop per cup method, you can adjust it to add or remove coffee as you would like.

More coffee makes a stronger coffee, and less coffee makes a weaker one.

Remember, the more coffee you use, the more caffeine will be in your coffee as well.

You can also get creative with your French press and mix different types of coffee together for your perfect coffee blend!

How to Make Espresso in Your French Press

Want to make espresso in your French press?  It can be done.  It won't be exactly the same as an espresso machine (check out our favorite espresso machines under 100 for that inexpensive espresso fix!)

Here are some tips for making espresso in your French press:

  • Use 1.5 x to 2 x the amount of coffee grounds.
    Remember, we pack espresso grounds tight to make a shot of espresso!  This compacts the grounds, so to get a similar effect you need to use more of them.
  • Use espresso coffee beans.
    Espresso coffee is a darker roast that help give espresso its signature flavor.
  • Pour the espresso right after pressing it.
    You shouldn't let your coffee sit in the French press anyway, but it is especially true of you are making espresso!

It won't be exactly like a shot of espresso from an espresso machine, but it will still be very enjoyable.

How Much Coffee to Use In a French Press, The Final Verdict

When it comes to how much coffee to use in your French press, start with the Bodum guidelines of 1 tablespoon per 4 ounces of water, which works out to be 1 coffee scoop to one eight ounce cup.

If you want to make espresso, make sure to use more coffee grounds!  If you want weaker coffee, you can use less coffee grounds, and if you want a coffee kick, use more grounds too!

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