How to Use a French Press for Tea

Why a French press works for tea

The mesh plunger acts like a built-in infuser basket, and the wide chamber gives leaves plenty of room to unfurl, which loose leaf needs more than tea bags do.

It's a good option if you're brewing for two or three people and don't own a dedicated teapot, since most French presses hold 24 to 34 oz (700–1000 ml).

Step-by-step method

Add your leaf directly to the empty carafe rather than pre-plunging, since the mesh filter isn't fine enough to trap very small pieces on its own.

• Add about 1 teaspoon of leaf per 8 oz of water to the carafe.
• Pour in water at the correct temperature for that tea type.
• Put the lid on with the plunger pulled all the way up, and let it steep for the recommended time.
• Press the plunger down slowly and fully once steeping is done.
• Pour out all the tea right away, even if you're not drinking it yet.

Avoiding common problems

The biggest mistake is leaving brewed tea sitting in the press. Even with the plunger down, some leaf fragments slip past the mesh and keep steeping, turning the tea bitter within minutes.

For very fine leaf like some green teas, consider a paper filter or fine strainer poured through afterward, since French press mesh can let sediment through.

Cleaning between teas

Rinse the carafe and mesh thoroughly after use, especially before switching from a strong black tea to a delicate white or green — leftover oils and tannins can carry flavor into the next brew.