In this post I show you how to make the best coffee ever. We use a French press, whole beans and heavy cream to achieve optimal flavor.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
A Coffee Lover
I’ve been drinking coffee pretty regularly for probably 16 or 17 years now. You could probably tell me it had just about every negative health effect in the book, and I would still drink it. It is one of the most perfect and basic pleasure in life. If you’re a coffee drinker, you get it.
There is absolutely nothing like lingering over a steaming hot cup of freshly made coffee, topped with heavy cream, first thing in the morning.
My husband and I sit down at the table, talk about the plans for the day, and put off getting the kids dressed breakfast made and all the other chores that we need to get to, just to sip on our mugs just a little longer.
I’ve always loved my coffee, but after I started preparing it with whole beans, a French press and heavy whipping cream, I had no idea what I was missing. Grinding the coffee beans fresh may feel like too much effort, but once you taste, you will be setting your alarm 30 seconds early every day to make it this way. Yes 30 seconds, because that’s ALL it takes!
Supplies for how to make the best coffee in the French press:
Making the best coffee in a French press is super easy, especially once you get the hang of it! All you need is a few basic supplies.
6 cup double wall stainless steel French press
Instructions for how to make the best coffee in the French press:
These instructions will yield two 12 ounce cups of coffee.
1. Add 3/4 cup of whole roasted coffee beans to a standard size coffee grinder.
2. Pulse the beans, until they are coarsely ground.
3. Add the freshly ground beans to a 26 ounce (6 cup) French press.
4. Cover the beans with water that is just under a boil. Fill the French press until about a half inch from the top.
5. Give the beans a little stir.
6. Put the plunger into the pot, and press it down just a bit to ensure the coffee beans are below the surface of the hot water.
7. Allow the coffee to steep for about 5 minutes.
8. Add a few tablespoons of fresh heavy cream to the bottom of a mug, top with the French press coffee, and enjoy!
Some notes about how to make the best coffee in the French press:
- It is best to use a double wall stainless steel French press. It will keep the coffee hotter for much longer. You can enjoy a warm cup of coffee up to an hour after making it, with this kind of press. A glass press will only hold the heat for about 10 minutes.
- Go for a medium roast coffee. Of course this is just my preference, but if you are new to coffee and grinding your own beans, this will most likely be the best choice for you. My favorite brand, mostly for the price and because it is organic, is the ALDI whole bean medium roast coffee beans. I also love the Pike’s Place roast from Starbucks, but only get it very rarely. Usually just when my mom buys it for me for Christmas!
- Make sure to not grind the coffee grains as finely as store brought ground coffee. This does mean you will go through coffee a little more quickly, but the taste is definitely worth it!
- Use filtered water, instead of tap water. We use water from our Berkey water filter.
Shop this post
6 cup double wall stainless steel French press
Berkey water filter (We have the “Royal” for our family of 7)
My Berkey water filter video/review
We love using filtered water to make the best coffee in a French press. You can find my Berkey water filter review HERE.
Print the Recipe French Press Coffee
How to Make the Best Coffee | FRENCH PRESS COFFEE
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole roasted coffee beans
- water
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream fresh
Instructions
- Add 3/4 cup of whole roasted coffee beans to a standard size coffee grinder.
- Pulse the beans, until they are coarsely ground.
- Add the freshly ground beans to a 26 ounce (6 cup) French press.
- Cover the beans with water that is just under a boil. Fill the French press until about a half inch from the top.
- Give the beans a little stir.
- Put the plunger into the pot, and press it down just a bit to ensure the coffee beans are below the surface of the hot water.
- Allow the coffee to steep for about 5 minutes.
- Add a few tablespoons of fresh heavy cream to the bottom of a mug, top with the French press coffee, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- It is best to use a double wall stainless steel French press. It will keep the coffee hotter for much longer. You can enjoy a warm cup of coffee up to an hour after making it, with this kind of press. A glass press will only hold the heat for about 10 minutes.
- Go for a medium roast coffee. Of course this is just my preference, but if you are new to coffee and grinding your own beans, this will most likely be the best choice for you. My favorite brand, mostly for the price and because it is organic, is the ALDI whole bean medium roast coffee beans. I also love the Pike’s Place roast from Starbucks, but only get it very rarely. Usually just when my mom buys it for me for Christmas!
- Make sure to not grind the coffee grains as finely as store brought ground coffee. This does mean you will go through coffee a little more quickly, but the taste is definitely worth it!
Sue says
Nice video Lisa. We needed a new French press, so I thank you for the link. I’ve been drinking coffee since I was sixteen years old and since my parents always drank theirs black, that’s how I’ve been drinking it all my life. I’ve never added the heavy cream (or sugar as many folks do). However, you made the heavy cream sound delicious 😀 !! I couldn’t agree more about the taste of freshly ground coffee beans. Anyway, I enjoy these videos of yours. Happy coffee drinking 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you so much Sue!
William says
You should try grinding with a burr grinder, you don’t have to spend too much (Barratza Encore) the more consistent your grind the less off flavors in the cup. Grinds that are too small will be over extracted giving bitter notes to the cup, and too big will be under extracted giving sour notes.
ALSO you should decant the coffee off the bed of grounds, even if you have pushed the bed to the bottom of the press it is still in contact with the grounds (over extracting once again).
Lisa says
That all may be true, but it sure does taste great! I don’t want to overcomplicate it.
Harold Moronstein says
In this post you shared, “how to use a French Press exactly as everyone knows”. Cool.
Lisa says
People ask me all the time how we make our coffee. Sometimes its the simple things people want to see. If you saw all the emails and DMs I get, you’d understand! You must not be a blogger. Just sayin’ 😉
Jessica says
Exactly Lisa! Thanks for the video and post! I “know how” to use a coffee press but I really enjoyed this post! There were a couple things I was unsure about and I always just use my keureg but after this post I pulled out the French press and bought some coffee beans. We loved it!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kerri says
I 100% agree this is the best way to make coffee! This is exactly how I make my coffee also. The only thing I do differently is, I also add a tsp of 100% maple syrup to my cream, and then add my coffee. The small amount of sweetness from the maple syrup makes it just perfect for me! Im new to your blog and IG account, but love them!
Lisa says
Oh that sounds delicious! I will have to try it!
Robin says
Exactly how we drink it, Lisa! MMMmmmMMmmmm!!! Any other way, is just not bringing the bean to its full taste and experience! Thank you for posting and wishing you many blessings upon you and yours! Happy new year! <3
Nita says
As a fanatical uk tea drinker you made me want to join you with a cup of cofee
Nita says
As a fanatical uk tea drinker you made me want to join you with a cup of cofee
Lisa says
Yay!
Paul Miller says
Hi Lisa,
I recently got a french press and hourglass is built on it. So, I don’t want to use a timer, and that things make coffee very easy.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Now I’m craving coffee! This comes out perfectly!
Lindsay Cotter says
My favorite way to make coffee!