Brewing Methods: Aeropress, The (Not So) New Espresso Method
Aeropress Coffee is one of the newer brewing methods on the market. Unlike the Moka Pot, which is nearly 100 years old, the plastic press is under 20. However, in its near two decades of existence, it’s become pretty popular. In 2008 there was a “World Aeropress Championship” in which 3 people participated. Ten years later, that number jumped to nearly 3200 people.
Although there are multiple ways to brew using this piece of equipment, I’m going to share with you my twist on the traditional method. In further posts, I’ll share some alternative methods and blended drink recipes you can make using this manual brewer.
So, what exactly is Aeropress?
AeroPress is a gadget for manual brewing that uses air pressure to extract a rich, full-bodied coffee without the bitterness often found in other brewing methods. It was actually designed by an American inventor, Alan Adler, specifically to reduce or eliminate the bitter taste of coffee.
Although his experience was that French press coffee and others were too bitter for him, I suspect much of that could have been mitigated with some adjustment to his ratios, water temperature, or bean choices, but that’s just one Ole Dog’s opinion.
My opinion isn’t a knock on his invention. The AeroPress is a clever and convenient piece of equipment and although I’m relatively new to it, I enjoy the brew I can produce with it. It’s also fairly quick as compared with a French press.
Let’s jump in. Below you will find the recipe, equipment needed, and my step-by-step method.
Recipe:
Grind: medium-fine coffee grounds (I’d use very fine if I was going for a more traditional espresso drink.)
Ratio: 1:13 (Use a smaller ratio to make a stronger drink.)
Equipment List:
AeroPress
You can’t make AeroPress coffee without one. These are available at Ole Dog’s and include the press, scoop, stir stick, funnel, and filters. Regular cost is $39.95. On sale now for 20% off ($31.96.)
Coffee Grinder
Use a burr grinder, not a blade grinder. Click here to read more about that.)
This is a cost-effective option that we carry in-store, but you can also find some high-end ones on Amazon.
Mention this blog post at checkout for a 10% discount.
Kettle
A temperature-controlled kettle has several. This is the one we carry in-store and if you mention this post, you can take 10% off of the RJ3 .8L “smart” kettle by Ovalware.
Coffee beans
I’m currently enjoying Ole Dog’s Howling Good, Medium Roast. It’s Brazilian.
Scale
You can’t get your ratios right if you don’t weigh the water and the beans. Check out “Coffee Mathing Made Easy” for more.
Instructions:
Insert a rinsed paper filter into the AeroPress cap and attach it securely to the chamber. (Filters are included with the AeroPress.)
Heat a kettle of water to 200 degrees.
While water is heating, grind 13g of coffee
Add the coffee grounds to the chamber.
5. With the cup on your scale, place the chamber on top of the cup and pour the heated water into the chamber until you reach 200g.
6. Stir the mixture for about 10 seconds.
7. Insert the plunger into the top of the chamber
8. Press the plunger gently until all the liquid is in the cup.
9. Enjoy a great cup of coffee.
I’m still experimenting with this and I’ve been enjoying the outcomes. Except for the first one. I didn’t like the first experiment at all; way too much coffee and not enough water. (I also made the mistake of thoughtlessly licking the stir stick as if I had just made cake batter. Definitely not the same.)
As I mentioned, we will try the “inverted method” and some different blended drinks using the Aeropress in a future post. For now, I will continue my quest for the perfect cup. In the meantime, be well, do good, and drink great coffee.
