10 Best Coffees for French Press in 2022 — [Tried & Tested]

Published: 08/09/22 •  15 min read

Nothing can beat the authenticity and the aroma of a french press coffee, right? French press is the most classic and authentic brewing method in this world, and the outcomes are to die for. 

However, still, some people struggle with choosing the right type of coffee beans for French Press. So, are you also one of those people? No need to worry. As always, I am here to the rescue!

In this post, we will talk about the 10 best coffee for french press along with a detailed buying guide with all the essential considerations.

If you ask me, my top pick would be the Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend. Still, there are some other incredible french press coffee options too that will leave you amazed. Now without making you wait any further, let’s dive right in!

Product

Product Name

Details

Buy Now

Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend

Our Top Pick

Stone Street

Best for Cold Brew

Life Boost Medium Roast

Best Medium Roast Coffee for French Press

Volancia Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe

Best Freshly Roasted Coffee

Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend

Best Value

Cafe du Monde

Best Chicory Coffee

Koffee Kult Thunder Bolt Ground Coffee

Best Extra-Dark Roast

Intelligentsia Coffee Frequency Blend

Best for French Press

Bulletproof Ground Coffee

Best Keto-friendly Coffee

Starbucks’ Dark Roast Ground Coffee Variety Pack

Best dark-roast variety pack

How I Picked the Best Coffee for the French Press?

Since I am a coffee enthusiast and love experiencing different coffee machines to curate detailed and authentic reviews for all of you, here I am with another guide of your interest! I bought the best french press I could find and explored different types of coffee beans to see which one suits it the best.

I tested the products based on quality, roast types, taste, and the value of money they offer. Trust me; I have great experience in all sorts of coffee – so you can rest assured that the products on this list will never disappoint you!

10 Best Coffee for French Press Reviewed

As promised, here is a detailed overview of our top 10 picks for the best french press coffee beans:

1. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend

Lavazza is a Brazilian brand manufacturing high-quality and authentic coffee for more than 100 years now. Ever since then, Lavazza has never disappointed its consumers, and this Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend is proof of that! The coffee came in black packaging, which made me think it is going to be very charred. But to my surprise, it was very light yet rich and authentic when I used it with my french press! With that being said, I rate it as a medium roast coffee. Also, it is undoubtedly my top pick!

I know that Italiano and medium roast is an impossible combination, but Lavazza made it possible with this one! The Lavazza Espresso Italiano contains no robusta, and consists of only 100% Arabica coffee beans. As for the flavor, I tasted subtle hints of hazelnuts, almonds, and chocolate at the first sip. Other than this, the flavor was rich and the brewed coffee was super creamy! All in all, I truly rate this as one of the best french press coffee beans on my list!

Pros

Cons

👍 Gives a sweet and balanced taste.

👎 Might not be a suitable pick for high-roast lovers.

👍 The flavor is not roasty at all.

👍 An ideal match for a french press coffee maker.

2. Stone Street

Next on our list is this Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee that contains 100% pure arabica dark roast coffee beans. Yes, you can also make cold brew coffee with French Press – that’s how versatile it is! This Columbian reverse by Stone Street is basically a coarse ground coffee, and worked perfectly with my French Press! Do you know what the best part is? The outcome was super smooth, sweet, velvety, rich, and flavorful. After all, Stone street has been crafting amazing coffee since 2009, their quality will always be guaranteed!

It is a dark roast coffee, and the first sip had hints of roasty flavor and dark chocolate notes that were a treat to my taste buds. the thing I loved the most was the perfect and pleasant aroma that made my mind and soul relaxed! Being a dark roast, this coffee was definitely a little bit bitter and acidic, but will wake you up in the morning before work! All in all, it is definitely one of the best coarse ground coffee for the french press, and I highly recommend it!

Pros

Cons

👍 The smooth and velvety texture.

👎 Too bitter and acidic for some people

👍 Pleasant aroma

👎 Very expensive

👍 Delicious undertones

3. Life Boost Medium Roast

We all love Central American coffee with those rich Arabica beans, right? Well, this Life Boost Medium roast is exactly the same. It contains 100% Arabica medium roasted coffee beans that were hand-picked, hand-roasted, and sun-dried to provide the most authentic flavor ever! These fresh coffee beans are 100% organic, and the brand claims that there is no use of chemicals or pesticides. Now coming to my experience, the life boost medium roast coffee beans worked perfectly for french press brewing, and the taste was unmatchable.

The coffee was smooth, velvety, well-balanced, and had hints of nuts and chocolates. Again, the aroma was to die for! However, It is a pre-ground coffee, so you will have to grind it a little before using it with your french press. Also, do you know what the most amazing part is? Life boost offers a 60-day money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the quality and taste! But trust me; I can tell you from experience that you won’t have to return it – it is surely one of the best options!

Pros

Cons

👍 A very low acidity level.

👎 Only offers one grind size.

👍 Enriched with antioxidants

👎 Slightly expensive

👍 Rich in flavor

4. Volcanica Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe

We all know that coffee came into being from Ethiopia, and Ethiopian coffee is considered one of the finest, most luxurious, and most authentic ones to date. With that being said, this freshly roasted coffee by Volcanica contains those authentic Ethiopian beans! First of all, I loved the all-black, luxurious, and classy packaging of the coffee! The Volcanica Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is a light-medium roast coffee, perfect for every enthusiast coffee drinker like me!

Now coming to the taste, the coffee contained subtle hints and flavors of blueberries, lemon, and blackberries. These three tasting notes are proof that the coffee contains high-quality coffee beans from the Ethiopian region. The coffee was a perfect fit for my french press, and the outcome was definitely a delight to my taste buds. Not only this, but the fruity flavor notes of the Volcanica Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe makes it perfect for a cold brew as well!

Pros

Cons

👍 Exotic and juicy flavor.

👎 Too light for some coffee drinkers.

👍 Balanced acidity

👎 Slightly expensive, but luxurious.

👍 Ideal for the french press brewing method.

5. Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend

If you are someone who can’t live without dark-roast coffee, then this Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend is your dream come true! This is the best-seller product from Peet’s coffee line, so I had to try it for my french press! It produced a delicious cup of coffee that was flavorful, spicy, and super rich in texture. Also, the coffee had hints of dark chocolate flavor that tasted like heaven! Its freshly roasted beans also had a pleasant aroma.

I tried this Major Dickason’s blend both as black and with added milk. To my surprise, both of the forms tasted like heaven! Considering this is a dark roast, the coffee was definitely bitter and a little bit acidic; perfect for morning drinkers. The best part is that the blend comes in two grind sizes; you need to opt for the coarse grind as they are the perfect option for the french press brew method.

Pros

Cons

👍 Very affordable

👎 Might be too bold for light coffee lovers

👍 Has a full-bodied flavor

👎 A little acidic

👍 Strong and pleasant aroma

6. Cafe du monde

Are you trying to avoid caffeine but still can’t resist having coffee? If yes, then the Cafe du Monde Chicory coffee is what you need! Chicory coffee is crafted by roasting, grinding, and then brewing the Chicory plant. In short, there are no original coffee beans or caffeine, but the outcome and taste are still similar to a coffee. Cafe du Monde is a famous Chicory coffee cafe, and they also sell their signature coffee packed in cans for all their coffee lovers! So, I couldn’t resist trying this unique blend for french press.

The coffee was surprisingly bold and super rich in flavor. The first few sips of the coffee calmed my soul and took all of my stress away! The flavor was similar to the regular coffee with arabica or robusta beans. I used a good amount of ground so the coffee was very bold and strong. However, if you are a light coffee lover, you can just use less ground. Moreover, the Cafe du Monde chicory coffee is very affordable. I totally recommend it for the french press.

Pros

Cons

👍 Contains earthy and nutty hints.

👎 Not suitable for hardcore original coffee lovers

👍 Can be mixed with actual coffee too

👍 Great quality

7. Koffee Kult Thunder Bolt Ground Coffee

French roasts never fail to impress, and this Koffee Kult Thunder Bold Ground Coffee is proof of this statement! This coffee is a blend of Brazilian and Columbian beans roasted to perfection. I will rate this coffee as an extra-dark roast because it literally opened my eyes with its strong yet mildly bitter flavor. Not to forget, the Thunder Bolt Ground Coffee worked perfectly for my french press.

The best part about this coffee is that it is 100% organic, and has balanced notes to manage the bitterness of the extra-dark roast. The coffee also has a crisp and sweet finish to freshen the taste buds. It filled my house with an unexplainable and pleasant aroma while brewing. All in all, I definitely rate the Koffee Kult Thunder Bolt as the best coffee beans for french press.

Pros

Cons

👍 Not very oily

👎 Might be too strong for beginners

👍 Has a sweet and bitter flavor.

👍 Aromatic and unique roast

8. Intelligentsia Coffee Frequency Blend, Medium

Next on our list is this unique blend, and a match made in heaven for the french press; the Intelligentsia Frequency Blend Coffee! Intelligentsia is a renowned and reputable coffee manufacturers company and its products never fail to impress. The blend contains medium-roasted Brazilian beans and some washed coffee beans to give you a smooth texture and a milk chocolate flavor. The first sip of the coffee also had subtle hints of molasses, raw sugar, and gold raisin.

The whole blend was definitely delicious and perfectly matched the french press brewing method. The blend also contained flavors like lemongrass, tea, and pineapple. I tried this coffee for breakfast for 3 days and loved every bit of it. In conclusion, this blend is undoubtedly the best roast for french press and a treat for every coffee lover!

Pros

Cons

👍 Delicious flavor

👎 Too light for strong coffee lovers.

👍 Comes from a reliable brand

👍 Also suitable for a drip machine

9. Bulletproof Ground Coffee

Next on my list is this Bulletproof Ground Coffee for all my Keto friends! Yes, this blend is keto-friendly. The blend contains medium-roast coffee beans that are washed and roasted in small batches to perfection. Also, the taste and flavor of this Bulletproof Ground Coffee were delicious. I tasted subtle hints of cinnamon, orange, plum, cocoa, and hazelnuts; all in one! Moreover, all the coffee beans in this blend are 100% organic and Arabica.

The manufacturer also claims that the blend contains no pesticides or harmful chemicals. Also, the coffee passed all the security and quality controls. The blend has a very mild acidity level – perfect for coffee drinkers who like their coffee light. In short, I fell in love with this affordable and amazing coffee for french press, and I am sure you will too!

Pros

Cons

👍 Great quality and flavor

👎 Not suitable for dark roast lovers

👍 Hand-picked and full-bodied coffee beans

👍 Affordable

10. Starbucks’ Dark Roast Ground Coffee Variety Pack

Starbucks is a PRO in the coffee world and there is no denying this statement. Apart from having thousands of coffee shops worldwide, the brand also sells its secret coffee blends for its customers to enjoy delicious cups of coffee. This is why I tried their variety pack for my french press that contains 3 of the brand’s most famous blends; Sumatra, French Roast, and Cafe Verona. Honestly, all the 3 blends were a delight!

All these 3 blends contain dark roasted Arabica beans for hardcore coffee lovers, like me (guilty). All three blends were full bodies and had bold, robust, and awakening flavors. You will find hints of dark chocolate in almost every blend and surprisingly, the acidity levels are not too high. All in all, If you want to enjoy a Starbucks coffee in the comfort of your home, this variety pack is all you need!

Pros

Cons

👍 A complete package to try out different flavors.

👎 Very strong and only suitable for dark roast lovers.

👍 Reliable and famous brand.

👍 Aromatic blends

Things to consider before buying coffee for french press:

How to Find the Best Coffee for French Press?

Making a french press coffee is very easy, but choosing the right coffee for this brewing method is not a piece of cake; especially if you are hunting for the first time. It is important to know about some important facts and considerations you need to keep in mind while making the purchase. Though my list helped you shortlist the 10 best coffee for french press options, you still need to pick one out right? To give you a helping hand, here is a detailed buying guide for you to enjoy a delicious french press brew:

Grind size

Grind size is the most important factor to consider when it comes to choosing the best coffee for french press. If your coffee grounds will be too fine, your french press coffee will become over-extracted, and you will have to use a spoon to enjoy your coffee. Similarly, very coarse grounds will make your coffee too watery and flavorless to drink.

For french press brew, you will need a balanced grind size, and find the beans that are pre-ground coarse. If you are unable to find pre-ground coarse beans, we would recommend you grind the coffee yourself to enjoy the most out of your french press coffee!

Choosing the Beans

coffee beans

After the grind size, the next thing you need to consider is the coffee beans type. There are two main types of beans; Robusta and Arabica. Now, this decision totally depends on your personal preferences. Robusta beans are usually cheap in price. While on the other hand, Arabica beans are expensive and their taste is unmatchable. Arabica beans are also more on the sweeter side, ideal for the french press. All the products on my list have Arabica beans, and I would obviously recommend them for french press. The rest is on you!

Light or Dark Roast? Which is the Best for the French Press?

light roast vs dark roast

“What is the best roast for french press” is the most common question in the minds of almost every coffee drinker. Well, I will answer the question for all of you. For french press, I would recommend you always opt for medium, dark, and extra-dark roasts. These roasts have flavors like chocolate, nuts, caramel, and fruits that will enhance the sweetness of french press coffee. Also, medium and dark roasts are full-bodied and creamy, which means an immersion method like the french press will further enhance their texture and taste. 

Is the Coffee Single Origin or Blend?

I think we all know the meaning of single origin and blend, right? If not, here are some quick examples:

  1. Yirgacheffe coffee beans from Ethiopia – Single Origin
  2. A mix of Brazilian and Colombian beans – Blend

In my opinion, both single origin and blended coffee beans are suitable for the french press. However, keep in mind that the blend of coffee beans is also used by some companies as a cheap alternative as they cost less. So, it is recommended to only go for reliable brands if you are opting for a blend. Other than that, you can also go for single origin to be safe always!

What is the Difference Between French Press and Drip Coffee?

Many people are confused about the differences between the french press and drip coffee. Luckily, I am here to explain the difference to you in the most simple manner!

The main difference between the two brewing methods is how they extract the coffee. In the drip coffee method, we pass the hot water through the coffee grounds and quickly brew a cup of coffee.

french press vs drip coffee
french press vs drip coffee

While on the other hand, we soak the coffee grounds in hot water in the french press brewing method to brew the coffee. Also, the french press brewing method takes a long time as compared to the drip coffee method. 

If we are talking about the authenticity of the coffee, then the french press is the only method that provides that. 

FAQs

How long does it take to wait for French press coffee to get done?

On average, the french press method takes 3 to 45 minutes to brew a perfect cup of coffee. The more you grind the coarse, the finer the French press coffee.

Does french press coffee have more caffeine?

The answer is yes. Since French Press is an authentic method, French press coffee will have more caffeine than drip coffee or other brewing methods. An average 8 ounces cup of french press coffee can have anywhere from 100 to 140 mg of caffeine.

Will french press coffee raise your cholesterol?

If you consume more than 4 cups of french press coffee in a day, then it will surely increase your cholesterol levels a little above the normal level. So, it is recommended to consume french press coffee in a moderate amount.

Can you burn french press coffee?

Yes, you can. If you brew your french press coffee with boiling or very hot water, it will surely burn. Therefore, always use water at moderate temperature to brewing french press coffee.

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Hans Mast

Hans loves coffee and loves teaching about coffee