Troubleshooting
Why Is My French Press Coffee Bitter?
Grind, time and the sitting-on-grounds problem
By Coffee In Cup Editorial TeamPublished 26 January 2026Updated 10 February 20264 min read
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French press is forgiving until it is not. These three fixes solve nearly every bitter press.
The three fixes
Apply all three before changing anything else.
- Grind coarser — the texture of raw sugar
- Steep four minutes, not eight
- Decant everything immediately after pressing
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I press all the way down?+
Press slowly until you meet the surface of the grounds, then stop.
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