French Press: Brewing Specialty Coffee at Home

Few coffee brewers carry as much charm as the French Press. It’s simple, elegant, and

delivers a full-bodied cup that feels cozy, whether you’re brewing for yourself on a quiet

morning or preparing to impress friends.

But here’s the truth: a French Press can easily swing from “velvety and delicious” to “muddy

and bitter” if a few golden keys are overlooked. That’s why we put together this guide, so

your French Press at home can deliver a cup that rivals your favorite coffee shop.

The Golden Keys to French Press Bliss

1. Start with great coffee beans

No brewing method can turn bad beans into good coffee. Choose freshly roasted specialty

coffee, look for details about the producer, processing, and tasting notes. At TORC, every

bag comes with that information, so you know exactly what’s in your cup.

2. Use the right water

Your coffee is over 98% water, so water quality matters. The best choice? Neutral pH water

with balanced minerals. Tap water that’s too hard (excess minerals) or treated with chlorine

can mute the flavors.

3. Don’t skip the scale and timer

Coffee brewing is a balance of ratios and time. A kitchen scale (even a simple cooking one)

ensures consistency, and your smartphone timer is more than enough to guide the process.

Think of them as your compass on this journey.

TORC’s Dream Team French Press Recipe

Here’s the recipe we love, tested and approved to bring out the best in your beans:

● Coffee: 30g (freshly ground, coarse grind)

● Water: 500ml at ~94°C

● Brew time: ~4:30 minutes

Step 1 – Add 30g of ground coffee to your French Press.

Step 2 – Pour 500ml of hot water over it and start your timer.

Step 3 – After 1 minute, stir gently about 6 times to break the crust and mix the coffee

evenly.

Step 4 – At 3:30 minutes, slowly press the plunger down.

Step 5 – Wait 1 more minute. This resting time helps the grounds settle and gives you a

cleaner cup.

Step 6 – Transfer your coffee into a server (or directly into cups). This step is crucial—it

stops the extraction and prevents bitterness.

Our little tips

Freshness counts – try grinding your coffee right before brewing if you can.

Pre-ground coffee loses aromas quickly.

● Experiment with ratios:

Mind the grind size – Too fine and your coffee will be muddy. Too coarse and

it’ll taste weak. Coarse, even grounds are the sweet spot.

Brewing coffee is more than just a routine—it’s a ritual. And with these simple steps,

your French Press can become a daily moment of joy, comfort, and connection.

Have you tried this recipe with one of TORC’s coffees? We’d love to hear how it

turned out—tag us on Instagram @coffee.torc or TikTok @torccoffee so we can

celebrate your French Press moments together.