Selecting the ideal roast makes your press coffee exceptional. But with so many options, finding the best coffee for french press can feel overwhelming. You want beans that shine with that rich, full-bodied texture we all love. It’s not just about grabbing any bag off the shelf.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve tested dozens of roasts to find the ones that truly excel in a press. We’ll cut through the noise and highlight the key features—like coarseness and origin—that really matter. Get ready to discover your new favorite morning cup.
Product Comparison Table: 9 Best Best Coffee For French Press
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
 |
Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala Single Origin Medium Roast Coarse…
|
9.5 |
Read Review |
 |
Peet’s Coffee, USDA Organic Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 100%…
|
9.3 |
Read Review |
 |
Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee, Medium Roast, Classic Roast…
|
9.1 |
Read Review |
 |
Starbucks Ground Coffee, Dark Roast Coffee, Italian Roast, 100%…
|
8.9 |
Read Review |
 |
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Espresso Roast,…
|
8.8 |
Read Review |
 |
Lavazza House Blend Perfetto Ground Coffee 12oz Bag, Medium…
|
8.6 |
Read Review |
 |
Bulletproof The Mentalist Medium-Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 Ounces,…
|
8.4 |
Read Review |
 |
Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Medium Roast…
|
8.2 |
Read Review |
 |
Lavazza Dolcevita Classico Ground Coffee 12oz Bag, Medium Roast,…
|
8.0 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 9 Best Coffee For French Press
Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala Single Origin Medium Roast Coarse Ground Coffee, 10 oz. Bag
Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala Single Origin Medium Roast Coarse Ground Coffee is for those who appreciate a coffee with a clear sense of place. This isn’t a blend; it’s a single-origin coffee, meaning all the beans come from one region. In this case, they’re sourced exclusively from the high-altitude mountains of Guatemala, known for producing exceptional Arabica beans. The altitude, volcanic soil, and climate there all contribute to the beans unique character.
You’ll notice the difference as soon as you open the resealable bag. The aroma is designed to fill your home, thanks to Gevalia’s process. They slow roast the beans and then use a snap-cooling method to lock in that fresh aroma and flavor right after roasting. The bag has a fresh lock tin tie to help preserve it after you open it, which is a nice touch for keeping your coffee tasting its best. The grind here is specifically coarse.
This is a key detail because it makes this coffee perfect for brewing methods like a French press, which requires a coarser grind to prevent a muddy cup. It also works well in many automatic drip machines that are compatible with a coarse grind. Using the right grind for your method is one of the simplest ways to get a better tasting cup at home. So, what can you expect in your mug? This is a medium roast, which aims to balance the beans natural flavors with the roasters touch.
Peet's Coffee, USDA Organic Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 100% Arabica Coffee – French Roast 18 Ounce Bag
Peet’s Coffee USDA Organic Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 100% Arabica Coffee – French Roast 18 Ounce Bag is for the coffee drinker who appreciates a deep, serious cup. This is not a mild or timid coffee. It’s an 18-ounce bag of our Organic French Roast, made from 100% Arabica beans, and it carries the weight and intention of a classic dark roast. The flavor profile here is built for depth. Think notes of chocolate truffle and caramel, grounded by a distinct smokiness from the deep roasting process.
It’s a rich and complex experience in your mug, one that feels substantial from the first sip to the last. This coffee is a bold dedication to flavor, as we say, but also to its origin and a sustainable future. Every bean is certified USDA Organic, which is a great start, but we go further. Our own standards for quality and taste are even more strict, ensuring the organic label also means exceptional flavor.
We’ve been hand-roasting coffee for over five decades, and this French Roast is a testament to that craft. It’s meticulously grown and roasted to bring out it’s full, dark character. For brewing, this pre-ground coffee is specifically tailored for methods like automatic drip machines or a pour-over setup such as a Chemex. The grind size is optimized for these, giving you a clean and full-bodied result.
Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee, Medium Roast, Classic Roast With Notes Of Chocolate & Caramel, 100% Arabica Coffee, No Preservatives, 8.8 Ounce (Pack Of 1)
The Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee is a medium roast designed to bring a classic Italian coffee experience directly to your kitchen. This isn’t just any ground coffee; it’s the result of over eighty years of dedication to a singular, celebrated blend. The goal is straightforward: to offer you a consistant and refined cup that stands apart from the ordinary.
At its heart, this is 100% Arabica coffee.
Illy selects only the top 1% of the world’s Arabica beans, partnering directly with growers who prioritize both exceptional quality and sustainable practices. This commitment means every bag supports a vision for a better environment and community, which is a core part of Illy’s philosophy. You’re not just buying coffee; your choosing a product from a company invested in a more livable world.
The flavor profile of this Classico roast is balanced and aromatic.
Described as a medium roast with a lingering sweetness, it features delicate notes of chocolate and caramel, complemented by subtle hints of orange blossom and jasmine. It’s a smooth, well-rounded coffee without any bitterness or preservatives. The taste is complex enough to be interesting but remains approachable and classic, making it a perfect everyday choice for those who appreciate nuance.
Preparation is simple and focused.
Starbucks Ground Coffee, Dark Roast Coffee, Italian Roast, 100% Arabica, 1 bag (18 oz)
Starbucks Ground Coffee, Italian Roast: This is the 18-ounce bag of Starbucks Italian Roast ground coffee, a dark roast designed for a serious, full-flavored cup at home. Its not just a dark roast; it’s a specific profile that Starbucks has crafted to deliver a particular experience, and understanding what that is can help you see if its the right coffee for your kitchen. First, lets talk about the flavor.
Starbucks Italian Roast is a dark roast coffee, which means the beans are roasted longer to bring out deep, rich notes. The specific character here, as Starbucks describes it, includes notes of dark cocoa and toasted marshmallow. That translates to a cup that is less about bright, fruity acidity and more about a smooth, roasty sweetness with a bittersweet chocolate depth.
It’s a robust flavor that stands up well to milk or cream if you prefer it that way, but its also complex enough to enjoy black. You get a consistent, deep flavor in every cup. This bag contains 100% arabica coffee, which is the species of bean known for its smoother, more nuanced flavors compared to robusta. Starbucks emphasizes that they ship you the same quality beans they use in their cafes, so your aiming for that familiar Starbucks taste.
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Espresso Roast, Arabica and Robusta Blend, 2.2 lb Bag, Package May Vary (Pack of 1)
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee is a well-regarded choice for espresso lovers looking for a classic, balanced cup. This 2.2 pound bag is a staple for many home baristas, offering consistant quality and a traditional profile that works great for daily brewing.
As the name suggests, the ‘Super Crema’ aspect is central. This medium espresso roast is specifically crafted to produce a rich, persistent crema—that golden-brown foam that sits atop a perfectly pulled shot.
The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans is key here. Arabica beans bring smooth, aromatic notes, while the inclusion of Robusta contributes to that full body and the signature creamy crema. It’s a full-bodied cup with a smooth, creamy finish, not overly bitter or intense, which makes it quite versatile.
This blend is sourced from beans grown in over 15 different countries.
Lavazza’s expertise comes through in the balancing of these origins to create a reliable and harmonious flavor profile everytime. You’ll notice a pleasant aroma with hints of honey, almonds, and dried fruit, which translates into a smooth, rounded taste.
Lavazza House Blend Perfetto Ground Coffee 12oz Bag, Medium Roast, Full-bodied, Intensity 3/5, 100% Arabica, Ideal for Drip Brewers, (Pack of 1) – Package May Vary
The Lavazza House Blend Perfetto Ground Coffee is a 12-ounce bag of medium roast coffee designed to bring a classic Italian coffeehouse experience right to your kitchen. This isn’t just any coffee; it’s a blend that pays homage to Lavazza’s own history, inspired by the art of blending perfected by founder Luigi Lavazza.
If you use a standard drip coffee maker at home, this coffee is specifically crafted to work perfectly with your machine, ensuring a consistant and reliable brew every morning.
You’ll find this coffee has a medium roast level, which Lavazza rates as a 3 out of 5 on their intensity scale. This creates a flavor profile that is full-bodied and well-rounded, without the sharp bitterness that can sometimes come with darker roasts.
It’s a balanced choice that provides enough richness to feel substantial, but remains smooth and approachable for day-to-day drinking. The beans used are 100% Arabica, sourced from farms in Central and South America, which are known for there high-quality and flavorful beans.
When you brew a pot, the aroma is inviting and warm. The taste itself is velvety and smooth, with distinct caramel notes that linger pleasantly after each sip.
Bulletproof The Mentalist Medium-Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 Ounces, Clean Coffee Tested for Toxins, Packaging May Vary
Bulletproof The Mentalist Medium-Dark Roast Ground Coffee is a 12-ounce bag of ground coffee designed for those who want a great cup without compromise. It starts with the beans, which are sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. This means the farms focus on sustainable growing practices, fair treatment for workers, and protecting the environment.
Before they even get roasted, these green beans are graded as specialty coffee by the Specialty Coffee Association, which is a mark of high quality right from the start.
The roasting process turns these carefuly selected beans into The Mentalist blend. It’s a medium-dark roast, which gives you a rich and full-bodied cup with a premium, bold flavor. The profile isn’t just about strength though; it has distinct tasting notes of cherry, almond, and caramel.
This creates a complex flavor that’s smooth and satisfying, without any harsh or bitter edges that can sometimes come with darker roasts. The company puts alot of focus on the craft of blending and roasting to get this balance just right.
One of the core aspects of this coffee is its commitment to being clean. Bulletproof opts into additional testing for toxins on every single shipment of green coffee beans they receive.
Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Medium Roast Ground Coffee, 16 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Death Wish Coffee Organic and Fair Trade Medium Roast Ground Coffee is for anyone who wants a seriously strong cup of coffee but prefers a smoother, lighter roast profile. It’s designed to deliver that famous high-caffeine kick Death Wish is known for, but in a format that’s a bit more approachable than their classic dark roast. This is a 16-ounce bag of pre-ground coffee, ready for your drip machine, pour-over, or French press.
This medium roast aims to be your daily driver.
It’s called a “Smooth Day Boost” because it provides sustained energy without the harshness sometimes associated with very dark, potent coffees. You get a powerful caffeine content to help you tackle your day, but the flavor experience is crafted to be smoother. It’s lighter than their dark roast, but they emphasize it’s still far more bold and powerful than your average grocery store coffee.
If you need a major boost but find some strong coffees to be to bitter, this medium roast could be a great fit.
The flavor profile is where this coffee sets itself apart. It’s not just about strength; it’s about complexity. The beans are roasted to what they call a “lighter shade of bold,” which helps highlight specific tasting notes. You can expect flavors like sweet caramel, a nutty peanut character, hints of stone fruit like apricot, and a smooth milk chocolate finish.
Lavazza Dolcevita Classico Ground Coffee 12oz Bag, Medium Roast, Rich and Full-bodied, Intensity 3/5, Arabica and Robusta, Ideal for Drip Brewers (Pack of 1) – Package May Vary
The Lavazza Dolcevita Classico Ground Coffee is a medium roast blend designed to bring a touch of iconic Italian style to your everyday coffee ritual. This 12-ounce bag contains coffee specifically ground for use in your standard drip coffee maker, making it a straightforward choice for a reliable and flavorful pot.
The name ‘Dolcevita’ evokes a certain classic, sophisticated sensibility, and this coffee aims to capture that feeling in a cup.
With an intensity rating of 3 out of 5, this is a balanced coffee that offers a rich and full-bodied experience without being overly strong or bitter. The medium roasting process is key here; it develops the beans flavors fully while maintaining a smooth drinkability.
You can expect a satisfying weight and texture on your palate, a coffee that feels substantial and comforting from the first sip to the last.
The flavor profile comes from a careful blend of both Arabica and Robusta beans sourced from South America and Africa. The Arabica beans contribute smoothness and nuanced aroma, while the Robusta adds that characteristic body and a pleasant crema. Together, they create a harmonious taste where notes of roasted nuts are most prominent.
Best Coffee For French Press Buying Guide
The best coffee beans for this method are typically medium to dark roast. These roasts stand up to teh full immersion brewing, giving you a rich, flavorful cup without the bitterness that can sometimes come from a lighter bean. But the right roast is just the start. A few key factors will help you choose a coffee that makes your morning ritual something you really look forward to.
Grind Size is Everything
You need a coarse, even grind. Think breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. A fine grind will slip through the mesh filter, leaving you with a muddy, gritty cup of coffee. If you don’t have a good grinder at home, look for brands that offer a specific “French Press” grind option. It makes all the difference.
Look for “Fresh Roasted” Dates
For the most vibrant flavor, check the bag for a “roasted on” date, not just a “best by” date. Coffee is at its peak within a few weeks of roasting. Beans that have sat on a shelf for months will taste flat and stale, no matter how good they once were. Freshness is a non-negotiable for a great press.
Consider the Flavor Profile
Do you prefer chocolatey, nutty notes or something fruitier? French press brewing highlights a coffee’s natural oils and body, so your chosen flavor notes will really shine through. A Sumatran bean often has earthy, spicy tones, while a Colombian might be more balanced and sweet. Think about what you enjoy most in your mug.
Whole Bean vs. Pre-Ground
Always, always choose whole bean if you can. Coffee begins losing its aroma and complexity the moment its ground. By grinding just before you brew, you capture all those volatile flavors. It’s the single easiest way to improve your coffee game instantly. A simple burr grinder is a worthy investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Coffee For French Press
What makes a coffee good for French press?
A good French press coffee often has a medium to dark roast. The French press method uses a metal filter. This lets more of the coffee’s natural oils and fine particles through. These contribute to that rich, full-bodied texture the press is famous for. Coffees with chocolate, nutty, or earthy notes tend to work really well.
Should I use a coarse grind?
Yes, a coarse grind is key. It looks a bit like sea salt. A fine grind can slip through the metal filter and make your coffee muddy. It can also lead to over-extraction, which makes coffee taste bitter. If you buy whole beans, just ask your local roaster or check your grinder setting for a coarse option.
What’s the best coffee-to-water ratio?
A common starting point is one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. For a standard 8-cup press, that’s roughly 55 grams of coffee for 900 ml of water. You can adjust this to your taste. Use a kitchen scale for the best consistency, it makes a big difference.
Are single-origin or blend beans better?
Both can be great. Single-origin coffees from places like Colombia or Sumatra offer unique, distinct flavors. Blends are crafted for balance and consistency. For French press, a well-balanced blend designed for full immersion methods is a fantastic and reliable choice, especially when your starting out.
How fresh should the coffee beans be?
Freshness is super important. Look for a roast date on the bag, not just a “best by” date. Ideally, use the beans within 2 to 4 weeks of that roast date. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Avoid the fridge or freezer, as moisture is coffees enemy.
Any tips for brewing the perfect cup?
Use water just off the boil. Pour it over your grounds and give it a gentle stir. Let it steep for about 4 minutes. Then press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Pour all the coffee out into your cups right away. Leaving it in the press will cause it to keep brewing and become bitter.
Quick Recap
Selecting teh ideal bean makes all the difference here. It’s about matching a coffee’s natural character to the French press method. This brewer highlights body and richness, so a bean with those qualities will shine. You want something that feels substantial and flavorful in your cup.
Remember, the best coffee for french press is one you genuinely enjoy. Trust your own taste over any strict rule. Start with a medium or dark roast if you prefer a bolder, classic profile. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different origins and roast levels to find your perfect match. The right choice turns your morning routine into a reliably great cup, every single time. Its a simple pleasure worth getting right.