How long should I steep French press coffee?

4 minutes is the standard recommendation for medium-coarse ground coffee at 200°F. Shorter steeping (3 minutes) produces a lighter, more acidic cup. Longer steeping (5-6 minutes) produces a stronger, more bitter cup. After plunging, pour immediately — coffee left in the press continues extracting and becomes over-extracted and bitter.

What grind size should I use for French press?

Coarse — about the texture of sea salt. Too fine and the coffee over-extracts (bitter, harsh) and sediment passes through the filter. Too coarse and the coffee under-extracts (weak, sour). If your French press coffee is bitter, go coarser. If it is weak and sour, go finer. The grind size matters more than steep time.

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