Brew Tea with French Press: Easy Guide to Making Perfect Tea
Index
The French press works just as well for loose leaf tea as it does for coffee grounds. The fine mesh filter traps tea leaves while letting the flavorful liquid pass through, creating a clean cup every time.
We’ll walk you through each step of using your French press for tea, from selecting the right leaves to finding the perfect water temperature. The process is quick, easy, and produces tasty results.
Key Takeaways
- French presses work great for brewing tea, using the same mesh filter that traps coffee grounds to separate tea leaves from liquid.
- Clean your French press thoroughly with hot soapy water before making tea to remove coffee oils that can affect flavor.
- Use about 1½ tablespoons (2.5 grams) of loose tea for each 8 ounces (~250 ml) of water.
- Water temperature matters: for black tea 200–212 °F (93–100 °C) and for green varieties 170–180 °F (77–82 °C)
- Don’t leave tea in the French press after brewing. Pour it into cups or a separate container to prevent over-extraction and bitter flavors.
Preparing Your French Press for Tea
Now that you understand why a French press makes excellent tea, proper preparation becomes crucial. Start by cleaning your French press thoroughly to remove any coffee oil residues.
These oils can affect your tea’s flavor significantly, especially with delicate varieties. Emma Christensen, who has used a French press for tea brewing for over a decade, recommends washing all parts with hot, soapy water and rinsing well.
A 34-ounce (1 liter) French press works perfectly for tea preparation, offering enough capacity for about four large mugs at once. The fine mesh filter in a French press separates tea leaves more effectively than traditional strainers.
Plus, cleanup becomes much simpler than dealing with loose leaves in other brewing methods. Make sure the plunger moves smoothly before brewing, as any resistance might indicate residue buildup that needs attention.
Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Tea with a French Press
Brewing tea in a french press creates a rich, full-bodied cup that highlights the natural flavors of your leaves. Follow these simple steps to transform your coffee maker into the perfect tea brewing vessel.
What You’ll Need
- Tea amount: 1½ tablespoons loose tea (about 2.5 grams) per 8 ounces (~250 ml)water
- Equipment: Clean french press and timer
- Fresh water: Heated to the right temperature for your tea type
Water Temperature Guide
- Black and dark oolongs: 200–212°F (93–100°C)
- Green and white teas: 170–180°F (77–82°C)
- Herbal infusions: 212°F (100°C)
Brewing Steps
- Place loose tea leaves directly in the bottom of your clean french press
- Pour a small amount of hot water over leaves to “wake them up” and release flavors
- Fill the french press with remaining hot water, leaving room at the top
- Place lid on top without pressing the plunger—this gives leaves space to expand
- Set your timer based on tea type (see timing guide below)
- Slowly press the plunger down after steeping to separate leaves from brewed tea
Steeping Times
- Black teas: 3-5 minutes
- Oolongs: 2-4 minutes
- Green and white teas: 1-2 minutes
- Herbal infusions: 5-10 minutes
Serving Tips
- Pour tea immediately into cups or a separate container to prevent over-extraction
- Transfer leftover tea to a thermos for later enjoyment
- Never leave brewed tea sitting with the leaves—it will become bitter and too strong
COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle with Temperature Control
Five temperature presets eliminate guesswork for different tea types, with one-touch simplicity.
Different teas need different water temperatures—170°F for greens, 200°F+ for blacks—and guessing with a standard kettle means inconsistent cups. This COSORI kettle has five labeled presets that take the guesswork out entirely, and 18 reviewers praised the precise temperature control.
⚠️ Skip this if you regularly fill a large 34oz French press or brew for more than two people. At 0.8 liters, you'll need a second fill for bigger batches.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Brew
Now that you know the basic steps for using your French press, let’s explore how to make your tea truly shine. The strength of your brew depends on three key factors: the amount of tea leaves, steeping time, and water temperature.
For a stronger cup, add more loose-leaf tea or extend the steeping time. To avoid bitterness, reduce the steeping time or lower the water temperature, especially with delicate green teas.
Get creative with your tea by adding natural flavorings to the press. Star anise, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, or peppercorns can transform a simple brew into something special.
For iced tea fans, double the tea leaves or use half the water amount to create a concentrate that won’t taste watered down over ice. Most importantly, dedicate a separate French press for tea to prevent coffee flavors from mixing with your tea – the porous glass can hold onto coffee oils that might ruin your perfect cup of herbal tea or delicate green tea.
Anthony's Organic Hibiscus Flowers
Vibrant ruby color and tangy flavor that cold brews overnight in your French press without sediment.
Cold-brewed iced tea from a French press is refreshingly simple—steep overnight, press in the morning—and hibiscus delivers vibrant ruby color that looks stunning in a glass pitcher. The cut flower pieces are large enough to stay above your mesh filter, and the naturally tart-sweet flavor needs no added sugar.
⚠️ Skip this if you want a subtle, mild herbal tea. Hibiscus has a bold, tart punch closer to cranberry juice than chamomile.
Conclusion
Your French press serves as a perfect tool for brewing delicious tea at home. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy rich flavors from loose leaf varieties without special equipment.
Try different tea types like green, black, or herbal blends to discover your favorites. Adjust water temperature and steeping time based on your chosen leaves. The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and flexibility, making every cup a chance to craft your perfect brew.
FAQs
1. How do you make tea in a French press?
Add your loose tea leaves to the bottom of the clean press. Pour hot water (at the correct temperature for your tea) over the leaves and place the lid on without plunging. Let the tea steep for the recommended time. Once steeped, press the plunger down slowly and, most importantly, pour all the tea out immediately to prevent it from becoming bitter.
2. How much tea should I use in my French press?
We recommend using 1½ tablespoons (about 2.5 grams) of loose-leaf tea for every 8 ounces (~250 ml) of water. For a standard 34-ounce (1-liter) press, this comes out to roughly 6 tablespoons of tea. You can adjust this ratio up or down to find your preferred strength.
3. What’s the right water temperature and steep time?
This is critical and depends on your tea type. Using water that is too hot or steeping for too long will make delicate teas bitter.
- Green & White Teas: 1–2 minutes at 170–180°F (77–82°C)
- Oolongs: 2–4 minutes at 200–212°F (93–100°C)
- Black Teas: 3–5 minutes at 200–212°F (93–100°C)
- Herbal Infusions: 5–10 minutes at 212°F (100°C)
4. Can I use the same French press for both coffee and tea?
It is strongly recommended that you dedicate a separate French press for tea. As the article mentions, glass can be porous and hold onto coffee oils, which will ruin the delicate flavor of your tea. Even with thorough washing, it is very difficult to remove all coffee residue, which can make a cup of green or herbal tea taste “off.”
5. What is the “wake them up” step mentioned in the guide?
This step, also known as “rinsing” the leaves, involves pouring a small amount of hot water over the tea and letting it sit for just a few seconds before the main brew. This helps “awaken” compressed leaves (like many oolongs) and washes away any dust. It’s an optional step but can improve the flavor of certain teas.
6. Will very fine teas (like rooibos) seep through the filter?
The French press mesh filter is excellent for most loose-leaf teas. However, very fine or “dusty” teas (like rooibos, honeybush, or the fannings found in some cut-open tea bags) may pass through the filter, leaving a small amount of sediment at the bottom of your cup.
7. How do I make iced tea with a French press?
To make a strong brew that won’t taste watered down, the article recommends creating a concentrate. Use double the amount of tea leaves (e.g., 3 tablespoons per 8 oz / ~250 ml water) but steep for the normal amount of time. Once you plunge the tea, pour it immediately over a full glass of ice.
8. Can I make cold brew tea in a French press?
Yes, a French press is an excellent tool for cold brewing. Add your tea leaves (you may want to use 1.5x the normal amount), fill the press with cold, filtered water, and place the lid on. Put the entire press in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours. When ready, slowly press the plunger down and serve.
References
- https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-Perfect-Tea-With-a-French-Press/
- https://birdyskitchen.com/pages/how-to-make-tea-with-a-french-press?srsltid=AfmBOorRKUswqrPqVdU5sZLXZimKjPk6w4v1cBZ-ViXvPd0SupDC_A5V
- https://www.frenchpresscoffee.com/blogs/french-press/how-do-you-make-tea-with-a-french-press-coffee-maker?srsltid=AfmBOooS17NIDNYWBT_3HPpqNHh5u7pFXoZaXQi7erEg1qOOAoOxeGAc
- https://www.frenchpresscoffee.com/blogs/french-press/how-do-you-make-tea-with-a-french-press-coffee-maker?srsltid=AfmBOooK0jYVFiFoAb0-b4GiVA-dQ_5iJmFlFaqxojygcZYRzHJkXlup (2019-02-20)
- https://www.butteredsideupblog.com/can-you-use-french-press-for-tea/ (2024-12-28)
- https://purecoffeejoy.com/how-to-use-french-press/
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