How to Make French Press Coffee: The 4-Minute Method

A French Press (or plunger) is an "immersion" brewer. Unlike a drip machine where water passes through the coffee, a French Press lets the coffee steep inside the water. This extracts more natural oils and flavor, resulting in a heavier, bolder cup.

Why the Ratio Matters

The most common mistake people make is guessing the amount of coffee. The ratio of water to coffee determines the strength and taste.

• If you add too much coffee: The brew will taste harsh, bitter, and overpowering.

• If you add too much water: The brew will taste weak, watery, and flavorless.

To get a balanced cup that is bold but smooth, you must use a standard ratio.

For a single person (200ml cup), here is the exact formula.

The 1-Person Formula

• Water: 200ml (Just under 1 standard mug)

• Kents Coffee: 13g (Approx. 1.5 tablespoons)

• Grind Type: Coarse (Texture of sea salt)

How to Make French Press Coffee Instructions

1. Heat the Water Boil your water. Once it boils, turn off the heat and wait 30 seconds. Boiling water burns the coffee grounds.

2. Add the Coffee Add your 1.5 tablespoons of coarse Kents Coffee into the empty press.

3. Pour and Stir Pour the 200ml of hot water over the grounds. Use a spoon to give it one gentle stir to ensure all grounds are wet.

4. The 4-Minute Wait Place the lid on top, but do not press down yet. Set a timer for exactly 4 minutes. This specific time allows the flavor to extract fully without becoming bitter.

5. Plunge and Serve Slowly push the plunger down. Pour immediately into your mug. Do not leave coffee in the press, or it will continue brewing and become bitter.

Why is My French Press Coffee Bitter? (Troubleshooting)

If your coffee tastes harsh, burnt, or bitter, it usually means you have "over-extracted" it. This means the water pulled out too much flavor, including the unpleasant bitter compounds.

Here are the 4 most common reasons why this happens and how to fix them.

1. Your Grind Was Too Fine

• The Problem: French Press requires a Coarse Grind (like sea salt). If you use a fine grind (like table salt or flour), the water extracts flavor too quickly, resulting in immediate bitterness and sludge.

  
  

• The Fix: Switch to a coarser setting on your grinder. If you buy pre-ground, ensure you select "French Press Grind" when ordering your Kents Coffee.

  
  

2. You Steeped It Too Long

• The Problem: Leaving the water in contact with the coffee for too long makes it bitter.

  
  

• The Fix: Set a timer for exactly 4 minutes. As soon as the time is up, plunge the press and pour the coffee into your mug immediately. Do not let it sit in the press.

  
  

3. The Water Was Too Hot

• The Problem: Boiling water (100°C) scorches the coffee grounds, creating a burnt taste.

  
  

• The Fix: After your water boils, turn off the heat and wait 30 to 60 seconds before pouring. The ideal temperature is around 93°C (200°F).

  
  

4. You Squeezed the "Sludge"

• The Problem: At the bottom of the press, there is a sediment of wet grounds. If you plunge forcefully to the very bottom or try to pour the absolute last drop into your cup, you mix this bitter sediment into your drink.

  
  

• The Fix: Press down gently. When pouring, leave the last sip of liquid in the press to avoid the grit.

  
  

5. The Bean Itself is High Acid

• The Problem: Many commercial coffees are roasted in a way that leaves high acidity and bitterness in the bean. No matter how perfectly you brew, the bitterness remains.

• The Fix: Switch to a Low Acid Coffee like Kents Coffee. We use a proprietary roasting method that removes harsh acids, ensuring a smooth taste even if you steep it a little too long

Is French Press Coffee the Strongest? (The Real Stats)

If you are looking for the absolute strongest "kick" of caffeine, the answer depends on how you measure it: Concentration vs. Total Caffeine.

Here is how the French Press stacks up against Espresso, Moka Pot, and Drip.

1. The Concentration Champion: Espresso

• Verdict: If you measure purely by "strength per sip," Espresso is the strongest.

• The Stat: Espresso has about 63mg of caffeine per 30ml (1 oz) shot. It is dense, syrupy, and highly concentrated.

  +1

• But here is the catch: You usually only drink 30ml to 60ml of it.

2. The "Total Caffeine" Champion: French Press

• Verdict: If you measure by "how much energy I get from one full mug," French Press usually wins.

• The Stat: Because French Press uses a longer steeping time (4 minutes) and you drink a larger volume (typically 200ml - 250ml), a single mug can deliver 95mg to 120mg of caffeine.

• The Reality: You get more total caffeine into your bloodstream from a full mug of French Press than you do from a single shot of espresso.

3. Equipment Strength Ranking (From Strongest to Lightest Body) If we rank by flavor intensity and "mouthfeel" (how heavy it feels on your tongue):

1. Espresso Machine: (Most Intense & Concentrated)

2. Moka Pot: (Very Strong, often called "Stovetop Espresso")

3. French Press: (Bold, Heavy, Rich – The strongest "Black Coffee")

4. Pour Over / Drip: (Clean, Light, Smooth)

Why French Press Feels the Strongest Even though Espresso is technically more concentrated, French Press often feels stronger to the average drinker.

• Why? Because it is an "immersion" method with a metal filter. It allows all the natural oils and micro-grounds (sediment) to stay in your cup. This gives it a heavy, thick texture that coats your tongue, making the flavor experience much more intense than a clean Drip coffee.

How to Make Low Acid French Press Coffee (The Secret is the Bean)

Many people think they need to change how they brew to avoid acidity. The truth is, if you start with a high-acid bean, no brewing trick will save you.

To enjoy a tension-free cup of French Press that is bold but gentle on your gut, you simply need the right coffee.

Why Kents Coffee is Naturally Low-Acid

It’s not magic; it’s how we source it. Whether you pick our Light, Medium, or Dark roast, the low acidity is guaranteed by four factors

1. Lower Elevation Sourcing

We source from specific elevations where beans develop rich flavor without the sharp, sour acidity found in high-altitude crops.

2. Shade-Grown

Our coffee is grown under natural shade. This slows down the ripening process, creating a naturally sweeter and smoother bean.

3. The Perfect Blend

We use a specific blend of Washed (for cleanliness) and Unwashed/Natural (for heavy body) beans to balance the pH level naturally.

4. Proprietary Roasting

We roast specifically to break down the acidic compounds while keeping the caffeine kick intact.

The Result: You can brew your French Press exactly how you like it—hot, strong, and fast—without worrying about heartburn. Just pour, plunge, and enjoy.