The Biggest French Press Coffee Mistake Is All About Ratios

If you want to get the most out of your precious arabica beans, a French press is likey the ideal tool for the job. Even if you are more into bitter robusta coffee, this device can coax the greatest flavor from the grounds. However, some common French press mistakes can prevent the delicate aromas from getting a chance to shine.

Matt Woodburn-Simmonds, a java authority and co-founder of Home Coffee Expert, gave us some tips on how to extract the maximum amount of gusto into our favorite morning brew. He first highlighted one of the biggest mistakes people make when brewing their morning cup of joe, saying, "Getting the ratio of coffee to water wrong is the biggest error with French press coffee."

Woodburn-Simmonds explained that while the correct proportions are vital, not all folks have the same priorities concerning their morning pick-me-up. "Ideal is all about personal preference," he said. "We think 13:1 is ideal, but part of this is my years of restaurant work where I needed insanely strong coffee just to face another crushing 16-hour day. Others go a bit weaker around 15:1." In other words, everyone has their own opinion on how strong coffee should be, although you don't want to stray too far from those ratios. He added, "Really, it is about personal preference, but definitely don't start too weak — you want to taste it. Not make some weird homeopathic coffee."

It's not just the water-to-coffee ratio you should be aware of while using a French press. Woodburn-Simmonds said that patience is key. "Not allowing the coffee to bloom is also a big problem with French press brewing," he noted. If you don't give the water time to do its job, you can end up with the same result as adding too much in the first place.

Woodburn-Simmonds clued us into the correct way to get the best taste out of your arabica or robusta beans: "Add enough water to cover the grounds, wait 30 seconds for the CO2 to escape, then pour the rest of your water. This will result in a more flavorful cup of coffee as it allows all the delicious flavor compounds to extract properly."

There is always the option of using a moka pot or a coffee percolator to brew your liquid energy, but a French press allows you more control and the ability to create a potentially tastier cup. You can also use a French press for beverages other than coffee, making it not only one of the best methods to brew your jitter juice but also a versatile kitchen staple for other tasks. As long as you follow our java authority's advice regarding how to use it, you may find yourself jumping out of bed in the morning to sip more flavorful coffee like a pro.