What grind size is typically used for immersion methods like the French press?
Answer
Coarse
The French press relies on an immersion brewing style, meaning the coffee grounds steep directly in the hot water for several minutes before separation via a mesh filter. Because the contact time is long (several minutes) and there is no high water pressure pushing through the bed, a coarse grind is necessary. Using a finer grind in this context would lead to severe over-extraction, resulting in a harsh, bitter flavor profile, and would likely lead to excessive sediment passing through the mesh filter. The coarse grind ensures that the extended steeping period extracts solubles adequately without releasing too many undesirable bitter compounds.
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