If you’re a coffee drinker, you’re probably familiar with the AeroPress coffee maker. The brand first made an appearance in 2005, when its creator Alan Adler first showed off his newest creation at Coffee Fest in Seattle.
Within a few years, AeroPress became a household name, with brand recognition not only in the United States but in dozens of countries around the world. There is even a World AeroPress Championship for fans of the coffee brewing company to compete in.
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.With its patented design, AeroPress is a leader in the coffee-brewing industry. While the AeroPress is similar in many ways to a French press in that they are both manual coffee makers, there are certainly differences between the two.
While a French press utilizes a reusable filter, generally made of plastic or wire mesh, the AeroPress is designed to use single-use paper filters. Customers can also purchase reusable filters for AeroPress from third-party vendors, making the AeroPress even more appealing.
The AeroPress also produces coffee with less acidity than French press coffee due to the reduced brew time of only 30 seconds as opposed to several minutes with a French press. This makes it a great choice for coffee shops with long lines of waiting customers.
AeroPress coffee makers use pressurized air to aid in the release of flavor, somewhat similar to espresso machines.
The coffee used for AeroPress is ground much more finely compared to the coffee used in French presses.
Aerobie recommends using their reusable paper filters when preparing coffee as it tastes better when compared to coffee prepared with third-party paper filters. In practice, however, the taste difference between paper filters is likely minimal. Aerobie also suggests composting their paper filters along with the coffee grounds, which is an environmentally friendly move.
The original AeroPress coffee makers were made from polycarbonate – a strong, see-through plastic. When demand for BPA-free products increased in 2009, AeroPress changed their manufacturing technique and started producing their coffee makers using copolyester, while maintaining that lab tests showed no leaching of BPA was ever detected in their original design. The AeroPress changed again in 2014 when it was manufactured using polypropylene.
If you are new to the AeroPress, here are some brewing instructions that will help you produce the best cup of coffee possible:
Traditional Method:
1. Using the instructions provided by the company, assemble your AeroPress coffee maker.
2. Insert the paper filter into the provided cup, and place it on the bottom of the large cylinder chamber.
3. Now you can put the entire AeroPress over the top of a coffee cup or mug (just make sure it fits properly).
4. Grind the coffee beans slightly past “filter grind” or use pre-ground beans.
5. Use 14 to 20 grams of coffee for every 8 oz of water – the more coffee used, the stronger your finished product will be.
6. Add hot water. The water temperature should be slightly below boiling, around 175 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
7. Slowly pour the hot water over your grounds in the chamber, ensuring that all grounds become saturated.
8. Let the coffee steep between 30 to 60 seconds while stirring slowly. A shorter brew time will result in espresso-style coffee while waiting a full minute results in an Americano-style drink.
9. Gradually depress the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the cylinder.
10. Enjoy your homemade cup of AeroPress coffee!
Coffee shops and AeroPress enthusiasts have also perfected an upside-down or the so-called inverted method of brewing:
1. Turn the cylinder upside-down with the plunger facing towards the top of the column so the entire unit rests on the plunger.
2. Add several spoonfuls of finely ground coffee, then pour hot water over the grounds and stir gently.
3. While the coffee brews, place a moistened paper filter in the cap, ensuring that it does not fall off but sticks to the inside. Screw the cap tightly into the AeroPress cylinder.
4. After brewing, place the AeroPress over a coffee cup or mug by flipping it over and slowly depress the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the cylinder.
The inverted method is ideal in situations where the coffee grinds are courser than normal, such as grounds used for French press. Because the water and coffee grinds interact for a longer time, the coffee will be stronger.
