AeroPress ®

The AeroPress ® coffee maker

The Aeropress coffee maker is amongst our favorite brewing methods for brewing specialty coffee at home in an easy and comfortable way, without sacrificing an inch of quality. The Aeropress is a coffee maker that combines two methods: immersion (such as the french press) and filter (such as a Hario V60) and adds pressure to that. It allows us great versatility when brewing different coffee recipes. We can adjust a lot of different variables, from the thickness of the coffee grind to the immersion or pressing time, amongst others. The end results will be excellent and will be different depending on the recipe we follow. Because of its great versatility and satisfying results there is a world championship focused on this brewing method. At Ineffable Coffee we have organised the regional chapter in Andalusia for several years, which qualifies for the national championship.

How does an Aeropress work?

The Aeropress coffee maker is made up of three parts. One is a plastic cylinder that is hollow inside and unsealed at both ends. The other is a plastic cylinder, also hollow, but closed at one end and that fits perfectly into the previous one, creating a vacuum seal thanks to a piece of rubber. Finally, we have a plastic filter that is hooked onto one of the cylinders and which function is to hold a paper filter. The easiest way to visualize it is as a syringe that, instead of a needle at the end, has a filter. It also works in a similar way. We introduce one cylinder into the other and, once we have a container, we throw the coffee, pour the water and let it brew for a certain amount of time. Then, we adjust the plastic filter, in which we have previously placed a paper filter, we turn everything upside-down and, using a container of our choice (such as mug or jag), we press it so that one cylinder progressively enters the other and the coffee infusion is filtered.

How to make coffee with an Aeropress

There are several ways to use this brewing method, but we will focus on one the most common, the inverted formula, and we recommend that you start by following this recipe: Equipment: AeroPress, AeroPress filter, scale, timer, grinder, pitcher/mug, stirrer and kettle. Brew time: 2:00 min Coffee: 15gr Water: 230gr purified water at 93º C. We recommend water with a dry residue between 125mg and 175mg per liter. Method: 1. Assemble your AeroPress and place upside down, rinse and preheat both the brewer and the filter cap with the paper filter on to get rid of paper flavour. Discard this water. 2. Grind your coffee to a medium filter setting. 3. Place the AeroPress on the scale, add the coffee, tare the scale and start the timer. 4. Pour all 230gr of water on the coffee and stir a couple of times. 5. Fasten the filter cap on, at 1:30 min, flip the AeroPress over and place it on the mug. 6. Plunge for 30 seconds steadily until you hear a hissing sound, you should be at 2:00 min, and ready to enjoy. The result should be a cup of coffee with a balanced profile, sweet and with very little residue. But it will depend on the recipe you follow. The Aeropress is a great tool to improve your coffee skills. You can start by following the recipe that we have described, but you should also unleash your creativity. Who knows, you might be the next winner of the Andalucía Aeropress Championship, or the national championship… and, why not, the world. It all starts with the first step.