Brew Guide: Plunger

The French press is a classic brewing method that produces a rich, full-bodied cup.

Because the coffee is steeped rather than filtered through paper, more of the natural oils and fine coffee particles remain in the brew, creating a fuller texture and deeper flavour. Simple to use and perfect for sharing, it's a timeless favourite for slow mornings and long conversations.

A coffee grinder on a digital scale in front of a large leafy green plant and a bag of coffee beans with a label from Lottie Lane Coffee Roasters.

1. Start with the right gear:

  • Plunger / French Press

  • Kettle + water (95°C)

  • Freshly roasted coffee (medium/coarse grind)

  • Stirring spoon

  • Scales (optional)

A close-up of a kitchen scene with a glass mug of coffee, a digital scale, a tall glass container filled with water, and large green leafy plants in the background near a window.

2. Pre-heat the plunger

Pour the hot water into your plunger and swish around to heat up the glass.

Pour it out and get your ground coffee ready.

A person is pouring ground coffee from a glass jar into a coffee brewing device on a kitchen scale. The background shows green potted plants and a cozy table setting.

3. Add your coffee grounds

Add 1 heaped tablespoon of coffee for every 250mL of water.

Adjust to suit your taste.

A glass of water being poured from a stainless steel electric kettle, with houseplants in the background, a digital scale with a chocolate cake, and a glass mug on a table with a colorful tablecloth.
A person stirs coffee in a french press plunger with a wooden spoon. There is a digital scale underneath the mug. A small glass cup is next to it. The background has large green houseplants and a window, indicating a cozy indoor space.

4. Add hot water

Slowly pour the hot water over the coffee, making sure all the grounds are saturated.

Stop when you get to about half-way.

5. Stir + top up

Give the coffee a gentle stir to ensure all the grounds are fully immersed.

Top up the water to the maximum limit of your plunger.

A French press coffee maker filled with brewed coffee, beside a glass cup, sitting on a colorful cloth. In the background, large green houseplants and a window with light coming through.

6. Stir + brew

Give it another gentle stir, then place the lid on with the plunger pulled up.

Leave the coffee to steep for 4 minutes.

Close-up of a hand holding a coffee plunger over a glass cup filled with brewed coffee, with plant leaves in the background.

7. Final stir + plunge

Give the coffee final gentle stir.

Press the plunger down slowly and steadily until fully depressed.

Coffee is being poured from a glass container into a clear glass mug on a textured green and beige tablecloth, with green leafy houseplants in the background.

8. Serve & enjoy

Serve immediately to prevent over-extraction and enjoy your coffee!

Lottie Lane Tip:

Freshly ground coffee makes all the difference.

If you're ordering from us, be sure to request Plunger Grind for the ideal grind size. Using coffee grounds that are too fine in a plunger will result in bitter, over-extracted coffee and leave a gritty sludge in your cup!