Wondering how to choose the best whole coffee beans for French press? With this brewing method, the beans you select make all the difference in bringing out a full, robust flavor.

This guide will walk you through the key factors to look for when selecting whole beans to make an incredible French press coffee.

We’ll cover ideal roast levels, taste profiles, origins and more. You’ll learn how to pick beans that offer complexity, body and bold notes that shine through when pressed.

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for when buying whole beans to make your perfect French press cup. So read on to become a French press bean expert.

When it comes to French press coffee, using the best organic coffee beans makes all the difference.

Organic coffee beans offer exquisite flavor clarity and complexity without any chemicals. Look for USDA certified organic beans when buying coffee specifically for French press brewing.

The immersion process showcases subtle tastes and aromas that can be obscured by pesticides.

Treat your tastebuds to the clean, pure coffee experience that only the best organic coffee beans for French press can provide.

Why the Right Coffee Bean Matters for French Press

When it comes to brewing delicious French press coffee, choosing the perfect whole coffee beans is crucial. The whole coffee beans you use can make or break the full-bodied flavor that makes French press coffee so unique.

So how do you find the best whole coffee beans for French press? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get French press perfection.

Choosing the Best Whole Coffee Beans for French Press

Not all whole coffee beans are created equal when it comes to French press. You want beans that will stand up to the immersion brewing process and yield a flavorful cup. 

Here are some tips on picking the right beans:

• Go for medium or dark roasts – They hold up better to French press extraction.

• Choose beans with rich, robust notes – Nuttiness, cocoa, caramel flavors shine through.

• Look for high-quality Arabica beans – They offer complexity missing from Robusta.

• Seek out fresh beans – Whole beans stay freshest. French press highlights fresh flavor.

Keep these tips in mind as you shop for whole beans to find your perfect French press match. The bean you choose is essential to French press success.

The Basics of French Press Brewing

Before picking those perfect good coffee beans for French press, it helps to understand what makes French press unique. Here’s a quick look at the basics.

• The French press involves fully immersing the coffee grounds in hot water and letting them steep before pressing.

• This long steep time and full immersion allows for bold flavor extraction from the beans.

• Quality bean selection tailored to French press is key to maximize the immersion process.

• The right beans will stand up well to the long brew time and fully extract without becoming overpowering.

• Understand what the French press highlights in beans – body, richness, complexity.

• Look for beans with taste notes and roast levels suited for bold immersion brewing.

Understanding the French Press Method

French press couldn’t be simpler – hot water and whole coffee beans are combined in a glass or metal cylinder, then pressed through a filter. But the full immersion brewing process is what sets it apart.

The grounds steep in the hot water for several minutes, allowing the fullest flavor extraction from the whole beans. Oils and compounds have time to mingle before pressing.

Why Whole Beans are Essential for the Best Brew

Whole coffee beans are integral for making the most of the French press method. Pre-ground coffee just can’t achieve the same results.

By grinding beans fresh right before brewing, you get the most flavor and aroma. The coarse grind size needed for French press also requires whole beans.

The whole beans soak up water for superior extraction versus pre-ground. Letting those flavors fully immerse makes French press coffee shine.

So embrace whole beans to unlock the full potential of French press. Now let’s look at some winning options.

What Makes These Beans Ideal for French Press

Picking the right whole coffee beans is key for making great tasting French press coffee. Here are two things that matter most:

Whole Coffee Bean Freshness

Freshness is super important for French press. Using new, fresh whole beans gives you the best flavor.

Whole beans stay fresher than pre-ground coffee. Grinding your own whole beans right before brewing helps keep all the oils and aromas inside.

Flavor That Comes Through When Pressed

Some whole beans are perfect for French press because they have extra flavor that comes out when brewed this way.

Beans with a nice body, richness and complexity taste great through the long steep and press. The right beans make the method shine.

Now let’s look at some of the best whole bean choices for tasty French press coffee.

1. Lavazza Super Crema

Lavazza Super Crema is a mild, creamy whole bean blend that makes a smooth French press coffee.

Tasting Notes:

• Creamy
• Mild
• Smooth

Origin:

This is a blend of beans from Central and South America.

Brew Tips:

• Use 205°F water.
• Brew for 4 minutes.

The creamy notes in this blend taste great when brewed with the French press method. Give it a try for a smooth, easy-drinking cup.

2. Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger

Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger is a berry and chocolate flavored whole bean that shines when brewed in a French press.

Tasting Notes:

• Berries
• Chocolate
• Complex

Origin:

This is a blend of beans from Africa, Indonesia, Central and South America.

Brew Tips:

• Grind coarser
• Brew for 4-5 minutes

The wild berry notes and complexity of this medium roast are perfect to extract using the French press technique.

3. Death Wish Organic Coffee

Death Wish Organic is an ultra-bold dark roast whole bean that makes a strong French press coffee.

Tasting Notes:

• Bold
• Intense
• Low acidity

Origin:

This is a blend of beans from India, Peru and Guatemala.

Brew Tips:

• Use very hot water just below boiling.

If you like bold, intense coffee, Death Wish organic is a great whole bean choice for French press to yield a strong cup.

4. Stumptown Hair Bender

Stumptown Hair Bender is a balanced medium roast whole bean with nice acidity, perfect for French press.

Tasting Notes:

• Citrusy
• Chocolate notes
• Balanced acidity

Origin:

This is a blend sourced from Africa, Indonesia, and Latin America.

Brew Tips:

• Grind beans slightly coarser
• Brew for 4 minutes

The acidity and chocolate notes of this blend shine through when extracted using the French press method.

5. Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend

Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend is a rich, smooth dark roast organic whole bean blend optimized for French press.

Tasting Notes:

• Smooth
• Rich
• Full-bodied

Origin:

A blend of the best beans from the world’s top coffee-growing regions.

Brew Tips:

• Use a coarse grind
• Brew for 4 minutes
• Use 205°F water

This organic blend is specially created to deliver a delicious cup when brewed using a French press. The full body stands up beautifully to the immersion brewing.

6. Ethical Bean Lush Roast

Ethical Bean Lush Roast is an organic medium-dark roast whole bean with nice nutty notes that shine when pressed.

Tasting Notes:

• Nutty
• Rich
• Subtle earthy notes

Origin:

This is an organic, fair trade blend sourced from small-scale farmers.

Brew Tips:

• Use a coarse grind
• Brew for 4-5 minute

The nutty undertones in this responsible blend make it a delicious whole bean choice for French press coffee.

7. Cafe Du Monde with Chicory

Cafe Du Monde is a unique New Orleans-style whole bean and chicory blend perfect for French press.

Tasting Notes:

• Chicory flavor
• Subtle spiciness
• Bold aroma

Origin:

Sourced from South and Central America and blended with roasted chicory.

Brew Tips:

• Use hot water around 200°F
• Brew for at least 4 minutes

This classic combination shines when brewed with the French press technique. The chicory’s woody flavor comes through beautifully.

8. Blue Bottle Giant Steps

Blue Bottle Giant Steps is a complex dark roast whole bean blend crafted specifically for French press brewing.

Tasting Notes:

• Rich chocolate
• Molasses
• Baked cherry notes

Origin:

A blend crafted by Blue Bottle from beans grown around the world.

Brew Tips:

• Grind beans coarser
• Brew for 4 minutes

With bold flavor notes like cocoa and molasses, this blend makes an incredible French press cup when brewed properly.

9. Counter Culture Big Trouble

Counter Culture Big Trouble is a sweet, balanced medium roast whole bean that brews beautifully in a French press.

Tasting Notes:

• Sweet, nutty
• Caramel
• Cocoa tones

Origin:

This is a custom blend sourced from fair trade certified coffee farms.

Brew Tips:

• Use a coarse grind
• Brew for 3-4 minutes

The sweet, nutty notes of this specialty whole bean blend make it perfect for French press – the immersion brings out the flavor wonderfully.

10. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee pairs whole coffee beans with health-boosting mushrooms for a uniquely flavored French press brew.

Tasting Notes:

• Earthy
• Rich umami flavor
• Smooth finish

Origin:

This blend contains Arabica coffee beans and organic lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms.

Brew Tips:

• Coarsely grind beans and mushrooms together
• Brew for 5 minutes

The addition of functional mushrooms gives this whole bean blend a rich, earthy flavor and immune-boosting properties. A great French press choice for the health-conscious coffee drinker.

11. Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso

Intelligentsia Black Cat is a classic medium-dark roast whole bean that makes a robust French press brewed espresso.

Tasting Notes:

• Smooth, creamy
• Molasses and cocoa tones
• Full-bodied

Origin:

Sourced from Brazil, Guatemala, and Sumatra.

Brew Tips:

• Grind very coarsely
• Press slowly for a bold cup

Though marketed for espresso, this whole bean blend also excels when pressed slowly in a French press to yield a robust, full-flavored brew.

Conclusion

Choosing the right whole coffee beans for French press is essential to brewing a delicious, full-flavored cup. With so many bean varieties and origins to pick from, it can be tricky to select the perfect one for French press perfection.

This guide covered some of the top things to look for when shopping for whole beans, like flavor notes that come through when pressed, freshness, and medium to dark roasts. We also provided brewing tips to extract the fullest flavor once you have your beans.

While taste is subjective, hopefully the 11 highlighted bean choices provide a great starting point on your journey to French press nirvana.

Try out a few to find your favorites. With the right whole coffee beans and proper brewing, you’ll be sipping outstanding French press coffee in no time.