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10 Best Coffee for French Press (Whole Bean & Ground)

The sheer elegance of a French press is undeniable. The coffee it brews can be just as impressive. But only if you have the right beans!

That’s right – Just any coffee beans won’t do. Ideally, they should be ground coarsely because that’s what gives French press coffee its characteristic full-bodied flavor.

To save you the trouble of finding the best coffee for French press, we’ve gone ahead and done it for you! Check out our top 10 list below.

7 Best Coffee Bean for French Press

1. Volcanica Costa Rica Peaberry

Costa Rica Peaberry from Volcanica is a delicious, vibrant coffee brewed with outstanding peaberry beans. Even better? It’s available pre-ground to a consistency that’s perfect for your French press.

With 100% pure Costa Rican beans, this coffee has a balance and intensity of flavor that’s mild, sweet, and bright.

The beans are shade-grown and rainforest certified, so you can feel good about supporting sustainable coffee practices.

Who is it for?

Though advertised as a medium roast, we found this cofee to be on the lighter side. This is great news if you prefer a milder cup of coffee.

But if you’re looking for a French press coffee with some bite, you might want to look elsewhere.

All in all, we think this is the best coffee bean for French press. If you’re looking for a hassle-free option that will still give you great results, this is the coffee for you.

Pros

  • Mild, sweet, and bright flavor
  • Shade-grown and rainforest certified beans
  • Available pre-ground

Cons

  • Lighter roast may not be ideal for strong coffee heads
  • Expensive

2. Lifeboost Medium Roast

Best Organic Coffee

Due to their rich soil and excellent temperature, Central American mountain ranges have long been producing high-quality Arabica coffee.

Lifeboost organic coffee beans are cultivated without chemicals or pesticides in the shade high in the Nicaraguan highlands. To ensure immaculate quality control, they are hand-selected for freshness and hand-washed.

The result is a deliciously smooth cup of coffee that’s low in acidity and easy on the stomach. The coffee is also Usda certified and 3rd party tested.

Lifeboost organic coffee beans are roasted fresh in small batches to preserve their flavor and aroma. Even if you’re looking for a compelling cold brew, these beans will not disappoint.

Who is it for?

The coffee beans are available whole or can be ground to a coarse consistency that’s perfect for your French press.

Pros

  • Hand-selected and hand-washed beans
  • Usda certified and 3rd party tested
  • Roasted fresh in small batches

Cons

  • Some may find the coffee beans too light
  • Coffee beans are not pre-ground

3. Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans

Best Dark Roast Coffee

The captivating aroma of these cofee beans alone will make you want to jump out of bed in the morning. T

hese beans are roasted to perfection and have a rich, chocolatey flavor that’s perfect for your French press.

Koffee Kult sources its coffee beans from all over the world, including Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra. As a result, you get a complex cup of coffee with a variety of unique flavors.

With a bold yet smooth taste, this coffee is perfect for those who like a little bit of everything. And because the beans are roasted in small batches, you can be sure that they’re always fresh.

Who is it for?

Unfortunately, the light-roast nature and expensive price tag of this coffee might not be ideal for everyone. But if you’re looking for a unique and flavorful cup of coffee, this is the perfect option for you.

Pros

  • Bold yet smooth taste
  • Unique and flavorful
  • Coffee beans are roasted in small batches

Cons

  • Light-roast nature
  • Expensive

4. Death Wish Coffee Company Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend

Best for Strong Coffee

Death Wish Coffee Company is a small but highly acclaimed coffee roaster and retailer located in the heart of Rochester, New York.

The company was founded in 2012 by Mike Brown and quickly rose to prominence thanks to its signature Death Wish Coffee blend- a dark, high-caffeine roast that’s designed for those who really love their coffee.

The Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend is one of Death Wish’s most popular coffee beans, and it’s perfect for French press brewing.

This coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans from some of the world’s richest, most fertile soil- volcanic soils from Indonesia and nutrient-rich soils from Central and South America. The result is a bold, full-bodied coffee with maximum flavor and a high caffeine kick.

Who is it for?

If you’re looking for a truly intense coffee experience, this cofee bean is the perfect choice for French press brewing.

It’s one of the strongest coffees available on the market today, and it delivers an amazing flavor profile that will leave you wanting more.

Pros

  • Excellent medium roast coffee
  • Miles stronger than your average cup
  • Bold, full-bodied flavor

Cons

  • May be too strong for some
  • Expensive

5. Coffee Bean Direct Sulawesi Kalossi Whole Bean

Best Sulawesi Coffee

Coffee Bean Direct is a leading online retailer of specialty coffee beans, and their Sulawesi Kalossi Whole Bean coffee is one of the best Sulawesi coffees for French press brewing.

Sulawesi is an Indonesian island known for its unique coffee-growing climate and rich volcanic soils. These conditions produce coffee beans that are prized for their bold flavor and high caffeine content.

This option is a perfect example of Sulawesi’s finest coffee. This medium roast coffee has a rich flavor profile with hints of chocolate and spice, and it delivers a smooth, well-rounded cup.

Who is it for?

If you’re looking for a truly unique coffee experience, this whole bean coffee will be a perfect choice.

It’s a bold, flavorful coffee that’s sure to please even the most discerning coffee lover.

Pros

  • Bold, flavorful coffee
  • Unique Sulawesi flavors
  • Smooth, well-rounded cup

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only comes in a five-pound package

6. Coffee Bros., Costa Rica

Best Micro-Lot Coffee

Microlot coffees are some of the most highly prized coffees in the world, and Coffee Bros., Costa Rica is one of the best micro-lot coffee growers around.

Located in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee-growing region, Coffee Bros. is a family-owned farm that produces some of the finest micro-lot coffees in the world. Their Costa Rica coffee is a perfect example of their craftsmanship.

This medium roast coffee has a rich, full-bodied flavor with hints of cocoa, lemon, and toffee. It’s made with 100% Arabica beans from a single origin micro-lot, and it delivers a smooth, well-balanced cup.

Who is it for?

If you’re looking for a truly special coffee experience, the Coffee Bros., Costa Rica is your best choice. It’s a rich, full-bodied coffee with an aroma that’s sure to please.

Pros

  • Rich, full-bodied flavor
  • Smooth, well-balanced cup
  • High-quality Arabica beans

Cons

  • Slightly acidic
  • Lacks advertised strawberry fruitiness

7. Starbucks Whole Bean Dark Roast Coffee

Best Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks is undoubtedly one of the most popular coffee brands in the world, and their Whole Bean Dark Roast Coffee is one of the best Starbucks coffees for French press brewing.

This dark roast coffee has a rich, bold flavor with hints of chocolate and caramel.

It’s made with 100% Arabica beans from some of the richest, most fertile soils in the world, and it delivers a smooth, well-rounded cup.

Who is it for?

This coffee will be your best choice if you’re one of the fans of coffee that pack a punch. It’s a rich, bold coffee with a flavor that’s sure to please.

Pros

  • Rich, bold flavor
  • Hints of chocolate and caramel
  • Made with 100% Arabica beans

Cons

  • Some may find the flavor too strong
  • Expensive

3 Best Ground Coffee for French Press

1. Verena Street Swiss Water Process Coffee

Best Decaf Coffee

This cofee is brought to customers by a family-owned business in Iowa. The name of the company is a nod to the street where the founders grew up.

This coffee is decaffeinated naturally using the Swiss Water Process and comes responsibly from Rainforest Alliance–certified coffee farms. As a result of the beans’ medium roasting, they have a flavor that is neither overpowering nor too sweet.

Who is it for?

The slightly acidic nature of this coffee makes it a perfect option for those who are looking to avoid the bitter taste often associated with French press coffee.

However, if you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to look elsewhere.

The price tag on this coffee is a bit higher than some other options on our list. But we think it’s worth it, especially if you’re looking for a decaf option.

Pros

  • Decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process
  • Medium roast results in a well-balanced flavor
  • Rainforest Alliance–certified coffee beans

Cons

  • Slightly acidic, which might not be ideal for those with sensitive stomachs
  • More expensive than some other options on our list

2. Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew Reserve

Best for Cold Brew

Stone Street Coffee’s Cold Brew Reserve is a blend of Colombian and Brazilian coffee beans that are roasted to perfection. The result is a cup of coffee that’s rich and flavorful with a hint of chocolate.

If you love a refreshing cold brew coffee, you’ll be in good company as you go along Stone Street.

The rich, roasty–toasty taste with dark chocolate overtones is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cup of joe without any bitterness. The smooth surrender and penetrating aroma will make you feel like you’re at a five-star coffee shop.

Classified as “supremo” by the Coffee Board of Colombia, this coffee is a notch above your average cup of joe.

Stone Street’s Cold Brew Reserve is one of the best coffees for French Press because it’s rich and flavorful with a hint of chocolate. It’s also smooth and has a great aroma.

Pros

  • Rich and flavorful
  • Smooth profile
  • Great aroma

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Acidic

3. Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend

A classic among coffee connoisseurs, Major Dickason’s Blend from Peet’s Coffee is a rich and full-bodied coffee that’s perfect for your French press.

If you’re looking for a solid dark roast at a reasonable price, Major Dickason’s Blend is the perfect coffee for you.

Peet’s was founded in Berkeley, California, in the 1960s by Alfred Peet, and they’ve earned a reputation for European-style dark roast mixes, with Major Dickason’s being their best-selling product. With credentials like those, it’s no wonder this coffee made our list.

Drawing on a variety of influences, Major Dickason’s Blend is a mix of Central and South American beans that are roasted to perfection. The result is a rich and full-bodied coffee with hints of chocolate, blackberry, and spice.

Who is it for?

The true-to-roast strength of this coffee might not be ideal for those who prefer a lighter cup.

But if you’re looking for a flavorful and affordable dark roast that will make your morning, this one is the perfect option for you.

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Rich and full-bodied
  • Distinguish aroma

Cons

  • Acidic
  • Might be too bold for some

Things to Consider Before Buying Coffee For French Press

When it comes to choosing the best coffee for your French press, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

Roast Level

First, consider the roast level you prefer. Light roast coffees tend to be more delicate, while dark roast coffees are typically bolder and more full-bodied.

Coffee Type

Next, think about the type of coffee bean you prefer. Arabica beans are generally considered to be of higher quality than Robusta beans, but both can make excellent coffee.

Price

Finally, keep in mind that micro-lot and single-origin coffees will generally be more expensive than mass-produced coffees.

If you’re looking for the best possible cup of coffee, be prepared to pay a bit more.

FAQs About French Press Coffee

What’s the best temperature for brewing coffee in a French press?

The ideal brewing temperature for coffee in a French press is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

What’s the best grind size for coffee in a French press?

A coarse grind is best for coffee in a French press. If your grind is too fine, you’ll likely end up with over-extracted coffee that’s bitter and unpleasant.

What’s the best coffee ratio for French press?

The ideal coffee to water ratio for French press is 1:12. This means you’ll use one gram of coffee for every 12 grams of water.

Final Thoughts

French press coffee is some of the best hot beverages you can make at home, and it’s well worth the effort to find the best coffee for your French press.

There are a lot of great options out there, but the 10 coffees on this list are some of the best of the best. If you’re looking for a truly special experience, any of the mentioned ones would be a great choice.

With a little practice, you’ll be making French press coffee like a pro in no time!

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I’m Jennifer Schlette, a Registered Dietitian and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I love cooking, reading, and my kids! Here you’ll find the healthiest recipes & substitutions for your cooking. Enjoy, and be well, friends!

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