There’s something uniquely satisfying about the ritual of a French press. The coarse grind, the blooming grounds, the slow plunge—it’s a method that coaxes out the deep, authentic flavors of coffee in a way other brewers can’t. To achieve that perfect, rich, and full-bodied cup, however, you need the right coffee beans. The French press’s immersion brewing style demands a bean that can stand up to it, offering clarity and complexity without bitterness.
Your search for that ideal brew ends here. We’ve curated a list of exceptional coffees that shine in a French press, from single-origin treasures to robust dark roasts. Whether you prioritize bright, fruity notes or a classic, chocolatey profile, our top Roasty picks for 2025 will help you craft a superior cup of coffee right at home.
Our Top Roasty Picks for French Press Perfection
- Two Volcanoes Coffee – Gourmet Guatemala Whole Bean
- Koffee Kult Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
- Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend
- Death Wish Coffee, Organic Dark Roast Whole Bean
- Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast
- Death Wish Coffee, Organic Medium Roast Ground
- Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast
- Hills Bros. Colombian Whole Bean Coffee – Medium Roast
- Ethiopian Bold Light Roast Coffee, Gourmet Single-Origin
- Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass Dark Roast, Whole Bean
Two Volcanoes Coffee – Gourmet Guatemala Whole Bean
This single-origin coffee offers a distinct tasting experience, grown at the base of two volcanoes in Guatemala. The mineral-rich soil contributes to its unique aroma and flavor profile, providing a pure taste free from blends of other regions. It’s a rare find for those who appreciate a genuine, unblended coffee character.
The medium roast is key to its balanced flavor. It retains the bean’s natural earthy qualities without the intense char of a dark roast, allowing the inherent complexity to shine through. Small-batch roasting ensures every bean is evenly roasted to perfection, guaranteeing a consistent and high-quality brew with every use of your French press.
Koffee Kult Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
Artisan roasted in small batches, this dark roast blend brings together beans from Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra. The result is a remarkably smooth and well-balanced cup that avoids the bitterness sometimes associated with dark roasts. Its full body makes it an excellent match for the immersion brewing of a French press.
Versatility is a strong point for these whole beans. While perfect for a French press, they also perform well in espresso machines, drip brewers, and for cold brew. Sourced from organically grown Arabica beans, this coffee provides a gourmet experience with a clean, exquisite taste that stands out.
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend
While crafted specifically for cold brewing, this coffee’s properties make it a fantastic choice for French press enthusiasts who prefer a low-acid, smooth cup. It is a single-origin Colombian Supremo bean, which are the largest and highest quality beans from the region, ensuring a premium base for your brew.
The dark roast brings out pronounced nutty and chocolate notes, creating a bold yet balanced flavor profile. Its low acidity makes it gentle on the stomach, while the coarse grind recommended for French press allows for optimal extraction and a clean finish without sediment.
Death Wish Coffee, Organic Dark Roast Whole Bean
Known for its high caffeine content, this organic and fair trade coffee delivers a powerful energy boost without sacrificing flavor. It’s a blend of premium Arabica and Robusta beans selected from around the world, designed to provide an intense and bold experience from the first sip.
The flavor profile is surprisingly smooth, with subtle notes of cherry and chocolate and a notable absence of bitterness. This makes it an ideal candidate for the French press, which highlights its complex character and robust body. It’s a great option for those who need an extra kick to start their day.
Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast
This blend is a cornerstone of Peet’s Coffee, known for its rich, complex, and full-bodied character. It was originally conceived for a discerning customer and has stood the test of time as a benchmark for a high-quality dark roast. Its depth of flavor is perfectly suited for the French press brewing method.
Peet’s is known for its commitment to freshness and responsibly sourced beans. The Major Dickason’s Blend epitomizes this, offering a consistent and world-class flavor that is both robust and satisfying. It’s a reliable and classic choice for anyone who appreciates a traditionally excellent cup of coffee.
Death Wish Coffee, Organic Medium Roast Ground
For those who prefer a pre-ground option, this medium roast from Death Wish Coffee offers a powerful caffeine kick with a lighter roast profile. It maintains the brand’s characteristic strength but presents it with notes of caramel, peanuts, apricot, and milk chocolate for a more nuanced taste.
This coffee is made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, roasted to a lighter shade to create a smooth yet bold brew. It’s an excellent choice for French press users looking for convenience without compromising on the energy boost or the rich, flavor-filled experience.
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast
This blend from the iconic Italian brand Lavazza is a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans sourced from multiple countries. The medium roast produces a full-bodied coffee with a notably creamy finish, a characteristic that translates beautifully into a French press brew.
While often used for espresso, the Super Crema blend is versatile. Its balanced intensity and creamy texture make for a very smooth and satisfying cup when brewed with a French press. The large 2.2 lb bag is also great value for frequent coffee drinkers.
Hills Bros. Colombian Whole Bean Coffee – Medium Roast
Hills Bros. brings over a century of coffee mastery to this Colombian whole bean offering. It delivers a rich and smooth flavor with a mildly fruity undertone, characteristic of high-quality Colombian beans. The medium roast highlights these notes while providing a robust and satisfying cup.
The use of premium Arabica beans ensures a fresh and aromatic brew. For the best results, grinding these beans just before brewing in your French press will release their natural oils and maximize the vibrant, invigorating aroma and taste.
Ethiopian Bold Light Roast Coffee, Gourmet Single-Origin
For a truly unique French press experience, this Ethiopian light roast offers a bright and clean flavor profile. The beans undergo a special drying process that leaves fruit pulp on the cherry, imparting distinct and complex fruity notes to the coffee.
The light roast level allows the bean’s inherent characteristics to take center stage, with prominent notes of lemon tart, raw honey, and floral nectar. Meticulously roasted in small batches, this coffee provides a vibrant and bold expression that is both intense and refreshingly different from darker roasts.
Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass Dark Roast, Whole Bean
This dark roast from Kicking Horse Coffee is known for its bold, audacious character. It’s a blend that delivers a powerful and full-bodied cup, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy a strong coffee that can stand up to the rich extraction of a French press.
With tasting notes that often include dark chocolate, cocoa, and roasted nuts, it provides a deep and satisfying flavor experience. As a whole bean coffee, it allows you to grind it to the perfect coarse consistency for your French press, ensuring a clean and sediment-free brew every time.
How to Choose the Best Coffee for French Press
Choosing the right coffee for your French press can feel like a big decision, but it really comes down to a few key factors. Since the French press uses a metal mesh filter, it allows more of the coffee’s natural oils and fine particles to end up in your cup. This creates a full-bodied, rich, and textured brew that other methods can’t quite match. To make the most of this, you need to start with the right beans.
First, let’s talk about roast level. I almost always lean towards medium to dark roasts for my French press. These roasts have the bold, robust flavors that stand up to and shine through the heavy body of the brew. Think notes of chocolate, caramel, nuts, and deep spices. Light roasts can work, but their delicate, floral, or fruity notes can sometimes get a bit lost or muted. A dark roast, however, will give you that classic, powerful cup many of us associate with a great press coffee.
Next up is the grind. This is non-negotiable: you need a coarse, consistent grind. If your coffee is ground too finely, it will slip through the mesh filter and leave you with a muddy, gritty cup of coffee. A coarse grind, like the texture of coarse sea salt, allows for a clean extraction and easy pressing. I highly recommend investing in a good burr grinder and grinding your beans right before you brew. The difference in freshness and control is night and day.
Finally, consider the origin and blend. Single-origin beans from places like Sumatra or Guatemala offer unique, distinct flavor profiles. A good Sumatran, for example, often has that earthy, spicy depth that is just perfect for the French press method. On the other hand, a well-crafted blend can provide a balanced and complex cup, combining beans for sweetness, body, and acidity. Whether you go for a single-origin or a blend, look for descriptions that promise a full body and low acidity. Getting these elements right is the first step to finding one of the 10 best coffee for French press that suits your personal taste.
FAQ
What is the best roast level for French press coffee?
For French press coffee, medium to dark roasts are typically your best bet. The immersion brewing style of the French press highlights the body and deep, rich flavors found in these roasts. You’ll often get tasting notes like dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and caramel, which complement the full-bodied texture perfectly. While you can use a light roast, its brighter, more acidic notes might not translate as powerfully.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a French press?
You can, but I don’t really recommend it for the best experience. Pre-ground coffee is usually ground for automatic drip machines, which is a medium grind—too fine for a French press. This leads to over-extraction and sediment in your cup. For a clean and flavorful brew, grinding whole beans coarsely right before you brew is the way to go.
How coarse should the grind be for a French press?
The grind should be very coarse, similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. You want the particles to be large enough that they are effectively trapped by the metal mesh filter. If your coffee looks like powder, it’s way too fine. A proper coarse grind ensures a smooth cup without the sludge at the bottom.
Why does my French press coffee taste bitter?
Bitterness usually comes from over-extraction. This can happen if your grind is too fine (allowing too much surface area to contact the water), if you use water that is too hot (ideal is just off the boil, around 200°F), or if you let it steep for too long. Try using a coarser grind, slightly cooler water, or shortening your brew time from four minutes to three and a half.
How long should French press coffee steep?
A good starting point is four minutes. After you add your hot water to the grounds, put the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up and let it sit. At the four-minute mark, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. You can adjust this time to your liking—a shorter steep for a milder cup, a longer one for more intensity—but four minutes is the sweet spot for most of our top roasty picks for 2025.
What’s the best way to clean a French press?
Clean it immediately after use. Dump the grounds into the compost or trash, then disassemble the plunger assembly. Wash all parts with warm, soapy water. Those fine metal mesh filters can trap oils and grounds, so I give mine a good scrub with a bottle brush. A thorough clean prevents old, rancid oils from tainting your next brew.