A quick Introduction to the Aeropress

November 11, 2021

When it comes to coffee, the possibilities are endless - you can enjoy a cup of coffee in infinite ways by choosing different beans, milk types, and brewing methods.

In this post, we will talk about one of the brewing methods that has conquered many coffee lovers since its launch in 2005 - the Aeropress. Prepare to know all the basics of how this innovative coffee maker came to be, how to use it, and some tips and tricks to make the most out of it.

As its name suggests, the Aeropress is a coffee maker that relies on air pressure to brew coffee in small quantities (up to 4 cups per brew). Using this method to brew has a lot of advantages: 

1. It is easy to transport, making it easy for you to brew a quality cup of coffee on the go.
2. It is a relatively affordable piece and will last you several years if cared for properly.
3. It is super easy to clean (extra points for this one!).
4. And lastly, it gives you the opportunity to customize your brew. You can make espressos, lattes, americanos, and even loose leaf teas with it. 

If hearing all the great things about this coffee maker got you curious, stick around to learn about how this invention was created. 

So, how did the AeroPress come to be?

We owe the creation of this innovative brewing method to Alan Adler, an American inventor (and a retired engineer). He has acquired over 40 patents for his ideas, with the most popular ones being a flying ring toy called Aerobie and, of course, his great coffee maker: the Aeropress.

The idea of coming up with a new way of making coffee stemmed from Adler´s struggle of not being able to brew a single "proper cup of coffee" in a simple way. At the same time, he realized that the process of making coffee had been getting shorter with time - from taking quite some time to brew a pot to 5 minutes with the invention of the coffee machine and even faster with a French Press. He, therefore, set out to find a solution that would make a single cup of coffee in a short period while still keeping a high-quality level.

With his skills as an engineer, Adler was able to create a prototype that brewed his perfect espresso in the morning. The results were so good that he decided to expand his toy business into the coffee industry and commercialize his coffee maker. Today, AeroPress is his best-selling invention, and we do not doubt why! 

From a prototype that would help a retired engineer get a proper cup of coffee in the morning to a globally known coffee maker that is now the center of international coffee tasting competitions, the Aeropress has undoubtedly come a long way. 

Let's have a look at how it works

You will find a lot of recipes and methods for brewing coffee with the Aeropress, but we will share one of the traditional ones with you so you can use it as a starting point.

Steps:

1. Place your filter in the cap and insert it into the chamber. 
2. Place the chamber over a sturdy mug.
3. Add in 1-3 scoops of coffee, depending on how strong you want your coffee.
4. Pour in water and mix in with the coffee for about 10 seconds. As a general rule, you can consider a 2:1 ratio of water to coffee.
5. Insert the plunger and push it down gently until there is no more water left in the chamber. *Be careful not to insert too much pressure as the coffee will compact and slow down the brewing process.
6. Your coffee is ready. Enjoy! Of course, feel free to add milk or more water to suit your preferences.

Choosing the right coffee?

Although we encourage you to experiment with different beans and grinds until you find your favorite, we want to share our recommendations to help you get started.

Grind: Generally, the faster brewing methods require fine grinds, and, well, the AeroPress is pretty speedy, so we recommend using an espresso or fine-drip grind for best results. 

Roast: We recommend using beans in a light roast to experience the original flavors of the coffee region. 

Coffee types:

Nehi, light roast will give you fruity cup of coffee with chocolate aroma.

Beza, light roast brings out intense sweetness and forest berry aroma. 

Worke, medium roast - you will enjoy slightly acidic and floral cup of coffee.

Tips and Tricks:

Do not lose patience if you don't get it right on your first try- we promise you that you will get your AeroPress game down in no time with a bit of practice. As you become more experienced at using this brewing method, here are some tips and tricks that you can take into account: 

• According to Adler (he tested it, no worries), the best water temperature for brewing coffee is 80 C, so we encourage you to test it out! Pro tip: No thermometer, no problem- when your kettle comes to a boil, let it cool for 60 seconds before pouring your water. The temperature will be just about right. 

• You can add more water to your coffee if you want a less concentrated taste, but adding the water after brewing, instead of at the time of pressing, will make for a better cup of coffee.

• You can use metal filters instead of paper which will not filter out the oils in the coffee if you wish to make a more robust cup of coffee (similar to a french press brewed).

• We love to make the most out of our coffee, and what better way to do so than by being sustainable at the same time? Pro tip: don't throw out your coffee grind after cleaning your press. Instead, set it aside and use it for your garden or compost pile.

We hope that by now, you are ready to start on your journey to becoming a great AeroPress brewer. Feel free to check out our coffee varieties to begin experimenting with your new knowledge of making great and speedy cup of coffee!

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