You think you need  a posh machine, or coffee brewer, but the chances are you will have a trusty French Press (or cafetière) knocking about in the kitchen.  It is one of the most inviting places to start. It’s simple, approachable, and produces a rich, full-bodied cup that many people fall in love with. But there’s one common complaint: the “sludge” at the bottom of the cup.

This is where James Hoffmann’s method comes in. With just a few extra steps, his approach transforms the French Press into a cleaner, more refined brew, while keeping that depth and weight people love.

Who is James Hoffmann?

James Hoffmann is one of the most respected voices in specialty coffee. He won the World Barista Championship in 2007, co-founded Square Mile Coffee Roasters, and wrote The World Atlas of Coffee, which has become a staple on coffee shelves around the world.

His YouTube channel has millions of views, packed with thoughtful, precise tutorials that balance geeky detail with real-world usability. In short: if James says it’s worth trying, it usually is.

What’s Different About His Method?

Most French Press recipes go something like this:

1. Add ground coffee.
2. Pour boiling water.
3. Wait 4 minutes.
4. Plunge.

Simple, yes, but it often leaves you with grit in the cup and uneven flavours.

Hoffmann’s method takes a little longer, but here’s the difference: instead of plunging straight through all the coffee grounds, you allow them to settle. This gives you the same richness, but with a cleaner texture and a more balanced taste.

What You’ll Need

• Freshly roasted coffee (whole beans if possible, I can grind your coffee for this method if you prefer!)
• A French Press (500ml is a good starter size)
• Burr grinder (for even, consistent grind)
• Digital scales
• Kettle
• Timer (phone is fine)
• Spoon(s)

Recipe

• Coffee: 30g (medium-coarse grind, like breadcrumbs)
• Water: 500g, just off the boil (~94°C)
• Ratio: 1:16

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Boil your water
Start with at least 500g of water. If your tap water tastes good to drink, it’s fine for coffee. If not, use filtered.

Step 2: Weigh and grind coffee
30g of beans, ground medium-coarse. Too fine, and you’ll get bitterness and sludge (I often find this happens with store bought ground coffee).

Step 3: Add coffee to the French Press
Put your ground coffee into the carafe.

Step 4: Pour water
Add 500g of water straight off the boil. Pour evenly to soak all the grounds swirling circular motion helps here.

Step 5: Wait 5 minutes
Let the coffee steep undisturbed. Enjoy the aromas, this is where the magic happens.

Step 6: Break the crust
After 5 minutes, use a spoon to gently break the crust of coffee floating on top. Give it one or two slow stirs.

Step 7: Scoop off the foam and floating grounds
Use a spoon (two if easier) to skim off the foam and floating bits. This step really improves the clarity of the cup.

Step 8: Wait another 5 minutes
Now, let the grounds settle to the bottom. Yes, it takes longer, but this is the key to Hoffmann’s clean finish.

Step 9: Plunge BUT only to the top of the liquid
This is the trick. Don’t push all the way down. Just rest the plunger screen on the surface of the liquid, keeping the grounds undisturbed at the bottom.

Step 10: Pour carefully and enjoy
Tilt gently and pour slowly. Try not to swirl up the settled grounds.

My Take

I’ve brewed French Press this way since I found this method and I can say it really does make a difference. The extra 5-minute wait might feel long at first, but it’s worth it for the clarity in the cup.

I find this method shines with medium or light roasts, coffees where you want to taste the subtler notes without the “muddy” texture.

If you love a bold, classic cup but hate the grit at the bottom, this is the way to go.

Final Thoughts

James Hoffmann’s French Press method is a great example of how small changes in technique can make a huge impact. By giving the grounds time to settle and keeping the plunge gentle, you’ll get a cup that’s rich but also clean and balanced.

As always, freshness matters most. No brewing method can save stale coffee — so make sure you’re starting with beans roasted within the past couple of weeks.

Fancy giving it a go? Try it with one of our freshly roasted coffees, select Grind size: Whole bean if you have a grinder, or French Press if you don't, and let me know how it turns out.