French Press: the immersive method that warms up autumn

May 1, 2026Carrera Café
Immersive Method

French Press

The immersive method that warms up autumn
Type
Immersion
Filtration
Metal (mesh)
Ratio
1:12 to 1:14
Infusion
4 minutes

The French Press is perhaps the most accessible method in the coffee world. No paper filters to buy, no precise pouring to master. Just coffee, hot water, and time. But this apparent simplicity hides real depth for those who want to do it well.


The principle

Total immersion

Body, oils, texture

Unlike the filter, the French Press lets oils through. That’s what creates its distinctive body.


Immersion vs percolation

In percolation methods (V60, Chemex), water passes through the coffee. In immersion (French Press, AeroPress), the coffee soaks in the water. The longer, more complete contact extracts differently.

Result: a fuller-bodied coffee, more "chewy," with cocoa and hazelnut notes that stand out better. Body lovers prefer the French Press. Clarity lovers prefer the filter. Both are right.

The oils that make the difference

Cafestols and kahweols — the natural diterpenes in coffee — are filtered by paper but not by the metal of the French Press. These compounds add body, roundness, and a certain creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Note: these compounds have been linked to a slight increase in LDL cholesterol with heavy consumption. For normal daily consumption, the impact is considered negligible.

The technique

French Press recipe

Simple but precise

Four steps. Four minutes. A cup that warms you up.


★ Recipe French Press 350ml
Coffee
25g
Water
350g at 93°C
Grind
Coarse
Infusion
4 minutes
Step 1 — Preheat

Pour hot water into the French Press and the plunger. Empty after 30 seconds. The warm glass maintains the brewing temperature.

Step 2 — Add coffee and water

Add 25g of coarsely ground coffee. Pour 350g of water at 93°C. Stir gently to saturate all the grounds.

Step 3 — Infuse 4 minutes

Cover with the plunger (without pressing). Let infuse exactly 4 minutes. No more: the coffee will become bitter and astringent.

Step 4 — Press and serve immediately

Press slowly over 20-30 seconds. Serve immediately in your cup. Do not let the coffee sit on the grounds — extraction continues.

Pairing

Which beans to choose

For a full and comforting coffee

The French Press amplifies the body. Choose full-bodied coffees for a perfect synergy.


★ Brazil — natural or pulped natural

Chocolate, hazelnut, caramel. Naturally dense body. The French Press reveals it in all its fullness. The classic pairing par excellence.

Guatemala — medium-dark

Cocoa, mild spices, moderate acidity. The French Press turns it into something almost cocoa-like. Ideal for cold mornings.

To avoid: very acidic or very floral coffees

Washed Ethiopia loses its delicacy in the French Press. Immersion tends to flatten delicate floral notes. Save these coffees for the V60 or Chemex.

At Carrera Café

Coffees for your French Press

Brazil, Guatemala, medium-dark blends. Our full-bodied beans are perfect for enhancing your French Press.

Choose my coffee

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