A cafetière, also called a French press, is one of the most forgiving ways to make coffee. That's exactly why it's a good place to start if you're new to specialty coffee, or just want a proper cup without thinking too hard about it.
What makes a good coffee for a cafetière?
A cafetière works by full immersion: the coffee sits in the water for a few minutes before you plunge. That makes it forgiving of small differences in grind or timing, unlike a V60, where small mistakes in pouring or grind size can throw off the whole cup. Because the method is so hard to get wrong, the coffee itself matters more than the technique. A balanced medium roast with good body works beautifully here, giving you a full, satisfying cup without any fuss.
Which Ayni coffee should I use?
Madrigal is the easiest place to start: medium roast, balanced and chocolatey, as good black as it is with milk. El Tambo works well too if you want something brighter and fruitier. And Luna Decaf brews just as easily in a cafetière if you're cutting back on caffeine but not on flavour.
People looking for cafetière coffee often want something with a proper coffee taste that isn't harsh. A balanced medium roast like Madrigal gives you that, without needing a very dark roast to get there.
How do I make it?
- Add your coffee. A good starting point is about 60g of coffee per litre of water, or roughly 15g for a 250ml mug. Use a little more if you like it stronger.
- Let the kettle rest. Water straight off a rolling boil can scald the coffee and pull out harsh, bitter flavours. Let the kettle sit for a couple of minutes after it clicks off, then pour.
- Wait about four minutes.
- Plunge slowly, then pour straight away so the coffee doesn't keep brewing.
That's genuinely most of it.
Quick questions
Can I use ground coffee in a cafetière? Yes, that's the normal way to use one. Our ground coffee is a medium grind, which suits a cafetière. Whole bean only helps if you grind it yourself just before brewing. Not sure which to choose? Read our guide to whole bean vs ground coffee.
Which Ayni coffee is best for a cafetière? All three work well. Madrigal is the easiest starting point, El Tambo if you want something brighter and fruitier, and Luna Decaf if you're cutting back on caffeine.
Do I need a special coffee for a cafetière? No. Any good coffee works, which is part of the appeal. A balanced medium roast is the easiest place to start.