French Press Brew Guide
A French press brewing guide for a cleaner cup, reduced sediment, and balanced extraction.
At Cafe Concetto, we believe the French press is one of the most approachable and rewarding ways to brew coffee at home. When brewed with care using the right grind size, water quality, coffee-to-water ratio, and technique, it produces a full-bodied cup with natural depth, richness, and character.
Building on this classic method, the Cafe Concetto Aki refines the experience further. Aki is designed around clarity, balance, and a cleaner expression of coffee. Its dual-filtration system and heat-retaining design work together to reduce sediment while enhancing definition in the cup, allowing the coffees natural nuances to come through more clearly.
While this guide is written with the Cafe Concetto Aki in mind, the same core principles apply to any French press. Mastering these fundamentals will help you achieve a more balanced, consistent brew no matter which brewer you use.
What You’ll Need
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Freshly roasted coffee, ground just before brewing.
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A burr grinder, recommended for consistency and even extraction.
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Digital scales for accurate measurement.
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Fresh, soft water with low mineral content is recommended.
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Any French press; if you are using the Aki, use both filters for the cleanest result.
Coffee Ratios
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A good starting point for French press coffee is a ratio of 1:14 (as a simple formula, coffee dose = 0.07 x water volume)
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Standard dose: 35g coffee to 500ml water
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For the 680ml Cafe Concetto Aki: 50g coffee. This ratio gives a balanced cup with enough strength and clarity, while still allowing the natural character of the coffee to show.
Water
Water has a major influence on coffee flavour. Fresh, soft water with low mineral content is ideal for French press brewing because it helps the coffee taste clean and expressive.
For example, Scottish water lends a naturally soft, refined clarity, while London water often benefits from a little extra help before the coffee can truly sing. If your water tastes harsh, flat, or overly mineral-heavy, filtration may improve the final cup even if the water is already safe to drink.
How To Brew French Press Coffee
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Preheat the French press with boiling water, then discard the rinse water.
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Place the press on digital scales and add your freshly ground coffee.
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Pour in hot water evenly, just off the boil.
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Stir gently to ensure all the grounds are fully saturated.
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Allow the coffee to steep for 4 minutes.
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Break the crust and skim off any floating grounds or foam.
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Leave the coffee to settle for a further 5–10 minutes so the fines can drop to the bottom.
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Plunge slowly and gently, avoiding any sudden pressure.
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Pour immediately for the cleanest cup.
The Aki Method
The Cafe Concetto Aki takes the French press method a step further. Its dual-filter design helps reduce fines, improving clarity and lowering sediment in the cup. The double-wall construction also helps retain heat, supporting a more stable brew temperature throughout the steep.
That combination makes Aki especially suited to coffee drinkers who enjoy the body and richness of immersion brewing, but prefer a cleaner, brighter finish. The result is a French press coffee that feels more refined, with a lighter texture and more expressive flavour.
Brewing Tips
For the best French press coffee, consistency matters. Use freshly roasted beans, grind immediately before brewing, and measure carefully with scales. Avoid blade grinders where possible, since they create uneven particles and excess fines.
Plunge slowly and gently. A forceful plunge can disturb the sediment and make the cup cloudier. If you prefer an especially clean result, let the coffee rest a little longer before pouring so the fines can settle more fully.
Tasting Notes
A well-brewed French press should be smooth, rounded, and full of flavour. With the Cafe Concetto Aki, the cup is designed to be cleaner and brighter, with reduced sediment and a more elegant finish.
This makes it a great method for coffees that benefit from clarity, especially lighter roasts or coffees with floral, citrus, or delicate fruit notes. If you enjoy immersion brewing but want a more refined result, Aki offers a beautiful balance between body and precision.