How to Brew the Perfect Plunger Coffee (French Press Guide)
- Cascade Coffee Co.
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Plunger coffee — also known as French press coffee — is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to brew rich, full-bodied coffee at home. Whether you’re starting your morning or enjoying a lazy weekend, learning how to brew a plunger coffee properly will give you a smooth, flavourful cup every time.
Why Choose Plunger Coffee?
A plunger coffee lets the natural oils and flavours shine through, giving you a richer mouthfeel compared to paper-filtered brewing methods. It’s easy to master, doesn’t require expensive equipment, and works beautifully with freshly roasted specialty coffee beans.
What You’ll Need:
Freshly roasted coffee beans or grinds – For the richest flavour, choose fresh, specialty coffee. Our Colombia Tolima single-origin is a favourite for plunger brewing thanks to its smooth chocolate notes and gentle fruit sweetness.
Coffee grinder (burr grinder preferred) — or choose our pre-ground option for plunger.
Plunger/French press
Kettle
Scales (optional but recommended)
Timer
Hot water (just off the boil)
Tip: For the best flavour, choose single-origin coffee. Grinding fresh is ideal, but if you don’t have a grinder, we can grind your beans for plunger brewing before sending them.
Step-by-Step: Brewing Plunger Coffee
Measure Your Coffee
Use a ratio of about 1 gram of coffee per 15 grams of water. For a standard 8-cup French press, that’s roughly 55g of coffee to 825g (ml) of water.
Grind Coarse
Plunger coffee needs a coarse, even grind — similar to breadcrumbs. Too fine, and you’ll get a bitter, muddy brew.
Preheat the Plunger
Pour a little hot water into your plunger to warm it up. Swirl and discard.
Add Coffee & Water
Add your ground coffee, then pour in hot water (around 92–96°C) evenly over the grounds. Start your timer.
Stir & Steep
After 30 seconds, gently stir to ensure all coffee is saturated. Place the lid on, but don’t plunge yet. Let it steep for 4 minutes.
Plunge Slowly
After 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and steadily.
Serve Immediately
Pour your coffee straight away to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.
Common Plunger Coffee Mistakes
Grinding too fine – causes bitterness and sediment.
Using stale beans – fresh coffee makes a world of difference.
Letting it sit too long – coffee keeps extracting after plunging.
Best Coffee for a Plunger
Plunger brewing works best with medium to coarse-ground coffee and beans that are roasted for filter methods. Bright, sweet single-origins or smooth, chocolatey blends both shine in a French press.
If you’re in New Zealand, look for freshly roasted specialty coffee NZ locals love can amplify your plunger game. Look for roasters that roast weekly for maximum freshness.
Final Thoughts
Brewing plunger coffee is simple, but small tweaks in grind size, water temperature, and steep time can turn a decent cup into a great one. Invest in fresh beans, experiment with ratios, and you’ll quickly find your perfect brew.
At Cascade Coffee, our specialty beans and grinds — including the smooth and full-bodied Colombia Tolima single-origin — are ideal for plunger brewing. Whether you prefer whole beans or plunger grind, we’ll deliver them fresh to your door so you can enjoy a rich, full-bodied cup every time.
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