The Aeropress: How to Get the Best Extraction

Aeropress is a fairly new manual brewing system that makes great coffee anywhere, anytime, with minimal equipment.

The Aeropress Story

The introduction of the Aeropress has sparked its own coffee community. There is even an international Aeropress competition!

The name Aeropress is a combination of Aerobie, the former name of the company that produces the gadget, and ‘press’, which means…to press; the action that operates the system. The invention is credited to Alan Adler, founder and president of the company, who began to research coffee brewing in 2004. His pressurized brewing system hit the market in 2005.

The Aeropress takes up very little space, which makes it convenient in small kitchens and when camping.

Aeropress Taste Profile

The Aeropress brews a cup of coffee in (literally) one minute, and it doesn't add acidity or bitterness to your coffee. The explanation for this? Brewing time is greatly reduced when compared to filter coffee, and ground beans are completely immersed in hot water, which adds body to the final product.

You don't have to worry that the pressure on the ground coffee will make it look like an espresso; the Aeropress is more like a filter coffee or a pour-over (made with a portafilter). This makes for a fairly liquid texture, given that there is no crema and coffee is not as concentrated as it is in an espresso.

How To Use an Aeropress?

The Classic Technique

There are two ways to use an Aeropress: the classic technique and the reverse technique. The reverse technique lets you control the brewing time, which is convenient for brewing stronger coffees.

Step 1

Remove the plunger from the cylinder and place the filter in the lid.

Step 2

Screw the cover onto the cylinder.

Step 3

Put the cylinder, with the opening facing up, on a cup.

Step 4

After attaching the funnel to the opening, add a dose of coarsely ground coffee (filter grind).

Step 5

Add very hot water (Aeropress recommends 80°C) to the cylinder, up to about the second line. The coffee will start to flow. Stir gently with a spoon for a few seconds.

Step 6

Insert the plunger into the cylinder. Gently push it in, until the coffee residue is gone. Enjoy!

The Reverse Technique

You may want to try your Aeropress in reverse. This way you control the brewing time, so you can get a stronger coffee. The steps are basically the same but reversed…as the name would suggest.

Gently insert the plunger into the cylinder. Stand this assembly on a stable surface.

1. Pour a dose of coarse ground coffee (filter grind) into the cylinder.

2. Slowly add very hot water (Aeropress recommends 80°C) over the coffee, up to about the second line.

3. Stir gently for a few seconds.

4. Let your coffee brew for the desired time (after three minutes, your coffee will start to get very strong).

5. Insert the filter into the lid, then screw the lid onto the top of the cylinder.

6. Turn the entire thing upside down, onto a cup. The coffee will start to flow.

7. Gently push the plunger down until the coffee residue. Enjoy!
   
   

Note: for either method, you can try using more finely ground beans (espresso grind). This will make the coffee taste more like espresso.