Top 12 Best Coffee for French Press | A UK Guide for 2024

There is an undeniable ritual to the French press, or cafetière as we lovingly call it in the UK. The gentle plunge, the rich aroma filling the kitchen - it’s a moment of pure, unadulterated coffee appreciation. This brewing method, celebrated for its full-bodied and robust flavour profile, truly allows the character of the beans to shine. But to achieve that perfect, café-quality cup at home, you need the right foundation: exceptional coffee beans. Finding the best coffee for French press can transform your daily brew from merely good to truly sublime.

This guide is your definitive resource for discovering the most outstanding coffees available in the UK, specifically selected to excel in a cafetière. We move beyond generic recommendations, offering an in-depth exploration of roasts that promise a rich, sediment-free, and deeply satisfying experience. We've curated a list of top-tier roasters and speciality coffee suppliers, each with a unique approach to sourcing and flavour. You’ll find detailed tasting notes, origin stories, and practical advice to help you select the perfect beans to match your personal taste. Prepare to elevate your morning ritual and unlock the full, immersive potential of your French press.

1. Our Best Selling Coffees

For those seeking an exceptional, well-rounded choice that consistently delivers a superior cafetière experience, the Our Best Selling Coffees collection from Ue Coffee Roasters stands out as our premier selection. Drawing on nearly 15 years of expertise as one of the UK’s longest-standing speciality coffee roasters, this curated range is a testament to precision, quality, and a deep understanding of what makes the best coffee for French press. It’s more than just a product listing; it’s an invitation to explore the pinnacle of speciality coffee, backed by a trusted name in the UK coffee scene.

The collection’s flagship offering, the Organic House Roast, is specifically finished in a grind size optimised for French press brewing. This thoughtful detail ensures optimal extraction, minimising sediment while maximising the rich, full-bodied flavour profile inherent in the beans. This removes the guesswork, allowing home brewers to achieve a consistently smooth and balanced cup that truly honours the coffee’s character.

Key Takeaway: The primary advantage lies in Ue's mastery of the roasting and grinding process, especially with their Organic House Roast. This provides a reliable, high-quality foundation for anyone serious about perfecting their French press technique.

Beyond the beans themselves, the platform reflects a commitment to the entire coffee journey. The website is easy to navigate, with clear descriptions and flavour notes for each coffee. This makes it an invaluable resource not just for purchasing but for learning. Their dedication extends to sustainability, with all coffee packaged in fully recyclable materials, aligning premium quality with environmental responsibility.

Ideal For: Home coffee enthusiasts, speciality café owners, and anyone seeking a consistently excellent and ethically sourced coffee for their French press.

• Pros: Expertly sourced and roasted by a pioneering UK speciality roaster. Includes a French press-specific grind. Sustainable, fully recyclable packaging.
• Cons: Limited information on whole bean availability for some specific roasts within the collection.

Website: https://uecoffeeroasters.com/collections/our-best-selling-coffees

2. Spiller & Tait

For those who cherish the ritual of a perfectly crafted morning brew, Spiller & Tait offers a journey into award-winning coffee that feels both classic and inspired. This UK-based roaster has garnered a loyal following by focusing on what truly matters: freshness, quality, and blends that sing in a French press. Their commitment to small-batch roasting ensures that every bag of coffee arrives at its peak flavour, ready to transform your kitchen into your favourite coffee house.

Their Signature Blend is a standout and an excellent contender for the best coffee for french press, offering a consistently smooth and rich profile. The website is clean and user-friendly, making it simple to explore their curated selection or dive into detailed brewing guides.

Why it stands out: This roaster excels at creating accessible yet sophisticated blends that appeal to traditional British palates while upholding speciality coffee standards. Their focus on consistency makes them a reliable choice for your daily brew.

• Best For: Coffee lovers who appreciate reliable, expertly blended coffees over single-origin experimentation.
• Pricing & Shipping: Prices are competitive for premium roasted coffee. They offer various delivery options across the UK, including subscription services for added convenience.
• Key Offering: The award-winning Signature Blend, a medium roast with notes of chocolate and caramel, is specifically recommended for immersion brewing methods like the French press.

While their single-origin selection is more limited, this focused approach allows them to perfect their blends, resulting in a quality you can taste in every cup.

Website: https://spillerandtaitcoffee.com

3. Pact Coffee

For those who desire unparalleled freshness and a direct connection to the source of their daily brew, Pact Coffee delivers an inspiring coffee experience right to your letterbox. This London-based roaster is built on a foundation of ethical, direct-trade relationships with farmers, ensuring every bean is not only exceptional but also sustainable. They champion the idea that coffee should never sit on a shelf, roasting to order and shipping within days to capture peak flavour.

Their flexible subscription model is a game-changer, allowing you to customise everything from the coffee type to the grind and delivery frequency. This makes finding the best coffee for french press feel like a personalised journey. The website makes it incredibly easy to discover new single origins or stick with a beloved house blend, all with complete transparency about the coffee's journey.

Why it stands out: Pact Coffee’s commitment to roasting on-demand and its direct-trade model guarantee both ultimate freshness and ethical sourcing, putting them at the forefront of the UK’s speciality coffee scene.

• Best For: Coffee drinkers who prioritise freshness and ethical transparency, and enjoy the convenience of a customisable subscription.
• Pricing & Shipping: Subscription-based pricing is competitive, with flexible plans to suit your consumption. Shipping is fast and efficient across the UK.
• Key Offering: The regularly rotating selection of single-origin coffees, available as a coarse grind perfect for French press, allows you to explore diverse flavour profiles from around the world.

While the primary focus is on subscriptions, the quality and mission-driven approach make it a compelling choice for any serious home brewer.

Website: https://www.pactcoffee.com

4. Union Hand-Roasted Coffee

Pioneering the speciality coffee movement in the UK, Union Hand-Roasted Coffee brings a deep-seated passion for ethical sourcing and exceptional flavour to every cup. Their approach goes beyond just selling beans; it’s about creating a transparent connection between the coffee farmer and the coffee drinker. This dedication to quality and sustainability makes their selection a prime destination for anyone serious about their brewing.

For those seeking the best coffee for french press, Union offers beans with detailed flavour profiles and origin stories, empowering you to make an informed choice. Their website is rich with educational content, guiding you from bean to brew and helping you perfect your immersion technique.

Why it stands out: Union's "Union Direct Trade" model ensures farmers are paid a fair price, fostering sustainable practices that translate directly into higher quality, more complex coffees. This ethical foundation is the cornerstone of their exceptional reputation.

• Best For: Conscientious consumers who want to understand the story behind their coffee and are willing to invest in premium, ethically sourced beans.
• Pricing & Shipping: Positioned at a premium price point reflecting their direct trade model. They offer various UK delivery options, including flexible subscriptions to keep your supply fresh.
• Key Offering: Look for their Revelation blend, a versatile espresso roast that performs beautifully in a French press, delivering deep, chocolatey notes with a rich body.

While the pricing is higher than average, the investment guarantees a world-class coffee that supports a more equitable and sustainable industry.

Website: https://unionhandroasted.co.uk

5. Iron & Fire

For the coffee enthusiast who demands freshness above all else, Iron & Fire delivers an artisan experience forged in passion. This UK-based roaster operates from a beautifully restored roastery in Shropshire, treating coffee as a craft to be perfected. Their dedication to small-batch roasting means every order is prepared with meticulous care, ensuring the beans you receive are at their absolute peak of flavour and aroma, ready to elevate your daily French press ritual.

Their range of speciality blends is thoughtfully curated, and their website makes it easy to find a coffee specifically suited for your cafetière. This makes them a strong choice when searching for the best coffee for french press, as they remove the guesswork and provide expert recommendations.

Why it stands out: Iron & Fire combines a deep respect for the craft of roasting with a modern, user-friendly approach. Their focus on providing freshly roasted beans, often prepared to order, sets them apart in the pursuit of the perfect cup.

• Best For: Those who prioritise the ultimate freshness and want to support a passionate, independent UK artisan roaster.
• Pricing & Shipping: Prices reflect the specialty, small-batch nature of the coffee. They offer reliable shipping across the UK and provide clear guidance on grind sizes for different brewing methods.
• Key Offering: Look for their blends specifically recommended for cafetière use. Their detailed product descriptions offer tasting notes that help you choose the perfect profile for your palate.

While their selection might be more focused than that of larger online retailers, this specialisation ensures a higher degree of quality control and a truly fresh-from-the-roaster experience.

Website: https://ironandfirecoffee.co.uk

6. Dwyfor Coffee

Rooted in over four decades of roasting expertise, Dwyfor Coffee Company brings a sense of heritage and mastery to the UK's artisan coffee scene. This Welsh roaster honours traditional methods, focusing on developing rich, full-bodied flavours that are perfectly suited for the immersive brewing of a French press. Their approach is a celebration of coffee's timeless appeal, offering carefully crafted blends and single origins that speak to both seasoned connoisseurs and those just beginning their journey.

For anyone seeking an authentic and robust cup, Dwyfor provides an excellent selection. Their website details the story and flavour profile of each coffee, making it easy to find a bean that aligns with your taste, and their coarse grind option makes them a top choice for the best coffee for french press.

Why it stands out: Dwyfor Coffee’s strength lies in its profound experience, translating over 40 years of craft into consistently exceptional coffee. Their commitment to classic flavour development makes them a benchmark for quality.

• Best For: Purists who value deep, traditional coffee flavours crafted by a roaster with decades of experience.
• Pricing & Shipping: Offers competitive pricing for artisan coffee, with delivery available across the UK.
• Key Offering: Their range of artisan blends and single-origin coffees, available in a dedicated French press grind, showcases their roasting philosophy.

While their online presence is more modest than some larger brands, this focus allows them to maintain an unwavering standard of quality control and a personal touch.

Website: https://dwyforcoffee.co.uk

7. Tank Coffee

Tank Coffee champions the bold, rich flavours that make a French press brew so comforting and satisfying. This roaster understands that immersion brewing thrives with beans that have body and depth, which is why their portfolio is thoughtfully curated around exceptional medium to dark roasts. Their commitment goes beyond the cup, with a strong focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability that adds a layer of purpose to your daily coffee ritual.

Freshness is paramount, and every bag is roasted to order, ensuring you receive coffee at its absolute peak. For those who love the taste but not the caffeine, Tank Coffee also provides excellent decaffeinated options, making it an inclusive choice for any coffee lover searching for the best coffee for french press.

Why it stands out: This roaster’s specialisation in roasts that excel in a French press, combined with a transparent and ethical sourcing model, makes them a go-to for a delicious and conscientious brew.

• Best For: Drinkers who prefer the robust character of medium to dark roasts and value ethically sourced beans.
• Pricing & Shipping: Prices are competitive for freshly roasted speciality coffee. They offer delivery across the UK, with clear information available on their site.
• Key Offering: Their range of medium-dark roasts is specifically tailored for full-immersion methods, and their detailed brewing guides help you perfect your technique.

While their selection is more focused than that of larger retailers, this allows them to maintain impeccable quality control and a clear identity.

Website: https://tankcoffee.com

8. Home Grounds

For the coffee enthusiast who believes knowledge is the key ingredient, Home Grounds is less a shop and more an indispensable library. Instead of selling beans, this platform empowers you with comprehensive guides, unbiased reviews, and detailed brewing science. It’s an educational hub dedicated to helping you master your technique and discover the best coffee for french press by understanding the principles behind a great cup. The site cuts through marketing jargon, offering clarity on everything from grind size to water temperature.

It’s the perfect starting point before you make a purchase, providing the confidence to choose beans that truly match your taste preferences. The clean layout and in-depth articles make complex coffee concepts accessible to everyone, from beginner to connoisseur.

Why it stands out: Home Grounds excels as a purely informational resource, filling a crucial gap in the market. It equips you with the education needed to appreciate and select high-quality coffee, rather than just selling it to you.

• Best For: Aspiring home baristas and curious coffee drinkers who want to deepen their understanding of brewing methods and coffee selection.
• Pricing & Shipping: The platform is entirely free to access, with no subscriptions or hidden costs. It does not sell or ship physical products.
• Key Offering: Its extensive, well-researched guides on French press technique and regularly updated reviews of coffees available in the UK market are invaluable.

While you can't buy coffee directly, the impartial advice ensures your next purchase from any UK roaster will be a more informed and satisfying one.

Website: https://www.homegrounds.co

9. Colipse Coffee

For the enthusiast who delights in the research as much as the ritual, Colipse Coffee serves as a curated library rather than a shop. It’s an informational hub dedicated to helping you navigate the vast world of speciality coffee, specifically with immersion brewing in mind. This platform doesn’t sell beans directly, but instead offers detailed reviews and organised lists of top roasters, making it an invaluable starting point for your quest to find the perfect brew.

Instead of a checkout, you’ll find comprehensive breakdowns of flavour profiles, origin stories, and roaster details. It's the ideal resource for discovering which roasts are truly the best coffee for french press, empowering you to make a highly informed purchase from the roasters themselves.

Why it stands out: Colipse Coffee acts as a trusted advisor. By compiling and reviewing a wide array of options, it saves you time and demystifies the often-complex speciality coffee market, highlighting both popular and undiscovered gems within the UK.

• Best For: Coffee lovers who enjoy in-depth research before purchasing and want to explore a variety of roasters.
• Pricing & Shipping: The platform is free to use. All purchasing and shipping are handled directly by the individual coffee brands featured.
• Key Offering: Its core value lies in its curated lists and reviews, which systematically break down the top coffees suitable for French press brewing, from whole bean to pre-ground options.

While you can’t buy directly from the site, its role as a clear, unbiased guide makes it an essential tool for anyone serious about elevating their French press experience.

Website: https://colipsecafe.com

10. Bon Vivant Caffè

Instead of being a roaster, Bon Vivant Caffè serves as a knowledgeable guide on your quest for the perfect brew. It’s an expertly curated resource platform that dives deep into the world of coffee, with a special focus on beans that excel in a French press. For enthusiasts who love to research before they buy, this site offers a library of detailed reviews, tasting notes, and brewing recommendations, helping you navigate the vast landscape of UK speciality coffee.

Their in-depth analysis of various coffees makes finding the best coffee for french press feel less like a gamble and more like a well-informed decision. The site organises its findings clearly, allowing you to compare single origins and blends based on flavour profiles and roast levels.

Why it stands out: Bon Vivant Caffè empowers the consumer with knowledge. It’s not about selling you a specific bag, but about teaching you how to choose the right coffee for your taste, wherever you decide to buy it from.

• Best For: Inquisitive brewers who want to understand the 'why' behind a great cup of coffee before committing to a purchase.
• Pricing & Shipping: The platform is a free-to-use resource; it does not sell coffee directly, so there are no associated costs.
• Key Offering: Its curated lists and detailed reviews, which break down different coffees suitable for French press brewing, are its main strength.

While you can’t make a purchase here, the impartial advice and comprehensive guides make it an invaluable first stop in your coffee-buying journey.

Website: https://bonvivantcaffe.com

11. CoffeeSphere

For the enthusiast who views coffee not just as a drink but as a craft, CoffeeSphere is an indispensable digital companion. Rather than selling beans, this platform is dedicated entirely to education, offering a wealth of knowledge that empowers you to find and brew the best coffee for french press. It serves as a trusted guide through the complex world of speciality and artisanal coffees, with detailed reviews and brewing tips that feel like advice from a seasoned barista.

The website’s clean layout makes it easy to navigate through its extensive library of articles, from deep dives into specific roasts to comprehensive guides on perfecting your immersion brewing technique. It’s an ideal resource for discovering new UK roasters and understanding the nuances that make a particular coffee shine.

Why it stands out: CoffeeSphere excels as an educational hub, demystifying the art of coffee brewing. It provides the unbiased information and expert techniques needed to make informed purchasing decisions and elevate your home coffee experience.

• Best For: Coffee drinkers who want to deepen their knowledge and refine their brewing skills before investing in beans.
• Pricing & Shipping: Access to the website and all its content is completely free. As it is a resource site, there are no products to ship.
• Key Offering: In-depth articles and reviews that analyse various coffees and brewing methods, helping you understand what flavour profiles and roast levels work best for the French press.

While you cannot purchase coffee directly from the site, its focused, educational content makes it a powerful first stop in your quest for the perfect brew.

Website: https://www.coffeesphere.com

12. OPUMO Magazine

For the discerning coffee drinker who views their morning brew as an extension of a well-curated lifestyle, OPUMO Magazine offers a unique, editorial approach. Rather than acting as a direct seller, OPUMO is a tastemaker, meticulously selecting and showcasing exceptional coffees from various roasters that are perfectly suited for the French press. It bridges the gap between high-end lifestyle and speciality coffee, presenting its finds with sophistication and style.

The platform provides detailed profiles and tasting notes, transforming the search for the best coffee for french press into an inspirational discovery process. It’s less about an overwhelming catalogue and more about a considered, expert-led recommendation.

Why it stands out: OPUMO excels by integrating speciality coffee into a broader context of design and lifestyle, offering a curated viewpoint rather than a simple storefront. It’s a resource for inspiration, helping you find premium coffees you might not otherwise encounter.

• Best For: Style-conscious individuals who trust editorial curation to discover new, high-quality coffee brands.
• Pricing & Shipping: As a curation platform, OPUMO links directly to the roasters for purchase. Pricing and shipping are therefore determined by the individual brands featured.
• Key Offering: Its primary value is the curated listicles and features, which provide detailed descriptions and direct, convenient purchasing links.

While you aren’t buying from OPUMO directly and the selection is inherently limited, it serves as a trusted filter, saving you time and introducing you to some of the finest roasts available in the UK.

Website: https://opumo.com

Top 12 Coffees for French Press Comparison

Item	Core Features	User Experience / Quality Metrics	Value Proposition	Target Audience	Unique Selling Points	Price Point / Availability
Our Best Selling Coffees	Expertly sourced beans, Organic House Roast for French press, recyclable packaging	Rich flavors, smooth balanced cups, nearly 15 years expertise	Premium quality, ethical sourcing, versatile options	Home brewers, coffee enthusiasts	UK’s longest-standing speciality roaster, sustainable packaging	Available online, grind size optimized
Spiller & Tait	Small batch roasting, variety of blends, brewing guides	Consistent quality, positive reviews	Traditional British coffee, award-winning blends	Traditional coffee drinkers	Signature Blend recommended for French press	Small batch, limited single-origin
Pact Coffee	Customizable subscriptions, direct trade sourcing	Freshly roasted to order, flexible delivery	Ethical sourcing, personalized subscription	Subscription customers	Direct trade, flexible schedules	Subscription-based, specialty-grade
Union Hand-Roasted Coffee	Direct trade, whole bean & ground, detailed flavor profiles	High quality, educational resources	Ethical sourcing, specialty coffee	Coffee aficionados, ethical buyers	Strong ethical commitment, brewing recommendations	Premium pricing
Iron & Fire	Specialty blends for cafetière, small batch roasting	Focus on freshness, user-friendly website	Quality-focused artisan roaster	French press users, quality seekers	Detailed product descriptions	Smaller selection
Dwyfor Coffee	Coarse grind options, detailed origin info	Established brand, traditional roasting methods	Quality and sustainability focus	Traditionalists, French press lovers	40+ years roasting experience	Limited online presence
Tank Coffee	Medium-dark roasts, decaf options, brewing guides	Freshly roasted to order, ethical sourcing	Ethical sourcing, focused on French press	Ethical, medium-dark roast fans	Decaf options available	Smaller selection
Home Grounds	In-depth reviews, brewing tips	Educational resource, regularly updated	Helps informed coffee choices	Beginners, enthusiasts	Comprehensive educational content	Does not sell coffee directly
Colipse Coffee	Flavor profiles, whole bean & ground options	Informative reviews	Specialty and artisanal coffee focus	Informed buyers	Highlights lesser-known brands	Informational only
Bon Vivant Caffè	Curated coffee lists, flavor notes, brewing tips	Detailed reviews	Wide variety of coffee options	Coffee explorers	Focus on French press suitable coffees	Reviews only, no sales
CoffeeSphere	Reviews, brewing guides, specialty coffee focus	Regularly updated educational content	Specialty coffee insights	Coffee enthusiasts	Specialty and artisanal focus	Educational only
OPUMO Magazine	Curated coffee lists, purchase links	Refined selection, convenience in shopping	High-quality coffees, curated experience	Discerning buyers	Direct purchase links, refined selection	Limited selection

Your Journey to the Perfect Brew Starts Here

Embarking on the quest for the perfect French press coffee is a deeply personal and rewarding experience. We have journeyed together through a UK landscape rich with exceptional beans, from the bold, ethically sourced offerings of prominent London roasters to the meticulously crafted blends from independent artisans across the country. This exploration was designed not just to list options, but to empower you with the knowledge to make an informed choice that resonates with your unique palate. The central takeaway is this: the best coffee for French press is not a universal answer, but a personal discovery.

Your ideal brew hinges on understanding the interplay between origin, roast level, and grind size. A medium to dark roast is often the preferred starting point for its ability to produce a full-bodied, low-acidity cup, perfectly suited to the immersion brewing method. However, as we've seen with various UK roasters, venturing into lighter, single-origin roasts can unlock a spectrum of bright, nuanced flavours you might not have associated with this classic brewer. The key is experimentation.

Charting Your Course to the Perfect Cup

So, where do you go from here? The path forward is paved with delicious exploration. Let these actionable steps guide your next brew:

• Define Your Flavour Profile: Start by reflecting on the tasting notes that excite you most. Are you drawn to the deep, chocolatey and nutty notes typical of a Sumatran or Brazilian bean? Or do the vibrant, fruity and floral characteristics of an Ethiopian or Kenyan coffee pique your interest? Use our guide as a reference to pinpoint roasters who specialise in your preferred flavour territory.
• Master the Grind: The secret to a clean, sediment-free French press lies in the grind. A consistent, coarse grind is non-negotiable. If you are using a pre-ground option, ensure it’s specifically for a cafetière. For the ultimate control, investing in a quality burr grinder will revolutionise your coffee ritual, allowing you to dial in the perfect texture for maximum flavour extraction without the bitterness.
• Experiment and Iterate: Don't be afraid to play with the variables. Adjust your coffee-to-water ratio, tweak the water temperature, or vary your steeping time by 30-second increments. Keep a simple journal of your recipes and results. This methodical approach will quickly teach you how to manipulate the process to consistently achieve your desired taste.

As you embark on your journey to the perfect brew, it is also fascinating to explore how coffee businesses engage with customers online, using modern digital tools to share their passion and products. Understanding this side of the industry can offer a new perspective on the journey those beans take to reach your cup.

Ultimately, brewing with a French press is an invitation to slow down and engage with your coffee in a more meaningful way. It’s a tactile, aromatic, and deeply satisfying process. Trust your palate, embrace the ritual, and enjoy every step of crafting a brew that is uniquely and wonderfully yours.

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Ready to put these principles into practice with award-winning, ethically sourced beans? Explore the curated selection at Ue Coffee Roasters. As one of the UK's original speciality roasters, they offer an incredible range of coffees perfectly suited for your French press, with detailed tasting notes to guide your choice. Discover your next favourite coffee at Ue Coffee Roasters today.