Brewing a Great Cup of Coffee with a French Press at Home
There’s No Wrong Way—Only What You Love.
When it comes to coffee, there’s one thing we believe strongly at The Mended Cup Coffee:
There is no wrong way to brew a cup of coffee—only the way you prefer it.
Coffee is personal. It’s about comfort, ritual, flavor, and connection. In this blog series, we’ll explore different ways to brew a great cup of coffee while highlighting the incredible Wisconsin coffee roasters we’re proud to support.
Let’s start with one of the most classic and forgiving brewing methods: the French press.
Why Choose a French Press?
The French press is loved for its simplicity and full-bodied flavor. It allows the natural oils of the coffee to stay in your cup, creating a rich, bold brew that really lets the beans shine—especially when you’re using freshly roasted coffee from local roasters.
No fancy machines. No paper filters. Just coffee, water, and time.
The Right Grind for a French Press
If there’s one place where grind size truly matters, it’s here.
Best grind:
Coarse grind (similar to sea salt)
Why coarse matters:
A coarse grind prevents over-extraction, which can make coffee taste bitter
It keeps grounds from slipping through the mesh filter
It makes plunging smoother and easier
Using coffee that’s ground too fine (like espresso or drip grind) can result in:
Sludgy coffee
Bitter or harsh flavors
A difficult plunge
Many Wisconsin roasters offer whole bean coffee, which gives you the most control and freshness—just grind right before brewing if you can.
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press
What you’ll need:
French press
Coarsely ground coffee
Hot water (just off the boil, about 195–205°F)
Spoon & timer
A simple starting ratio:
1 tablespoon of coffee per 4 ounces of water
(Feel free to adjust—this is where personal preference comes in!)
Step-by-step:
Add coffee grounds to your French press
Pour hot water over the grounds
Stir gently to make sure all grounds are saturated
Place the lid on (don’t plunge yet)
Steep for 4 minutes
Press slowly and evenly
Pour and enjoy
Make It Your Own
Here’s where the “no wrong way” philosophy comes in.
Try:
A longer steep time for a bolder cup
Less coffee for something lighter
Different Wisconsin roasts—from light and bright to dark and smoky
Your perfect cup might not match someone else’s—and that’s exactly the point.
Featuring Wisconsin Coffee Roasters
One of the joys of brewing at home is exploring the flavors of different roasters. Wisconsin coffee roasters bring passion, craftsmanship, and community into every bag they roast. The French press is a wonderful way to experience the unique character of their beans.
Throughout this series, we’ll continue highlighting roasters from across Wisconsin and how their coffees shine in different brewing methods.
Coming Up Next in This Series…
We’ll explore:
Pour-over brewing
Drip coffee makers
Cold brew
And more ways to enjoy great coffee at home
Because great coffee isn’t about perfection—it’s about what fills your cup.
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