Long-time Capital Coffee friends will know that our preferred way to make coffee at home is with an AeroPress.
The AeroPress is a coffee press that uses a rapid, total immersion brewing process to make smooth, delicious coffee. The fast process is not only convenient when you really need your morning coffee, but avoids bitterness and high acidity that can be associated with other methods, like the French Press or cafetiere.
In addition, the filter paper (or metal filter, if you prefer something reusable) eliminates any sign of grit and makes cleaning up super-fast.
The AeroPress makes one fairly large cup of black coffee, which you can top up with hot water milk or sugar according to your personal taste. It’s also lightweight, compact and portable, meaning it is easy to take on holiday or to work, ensuring you have a perfect cup of coffee wherever you are.
Our standard AeroPress kit includes the AeroPress itself, but also a funnel, scoop, stirrer, large pack of filters and a filter holder – and of course the coffee!
All you need is boiling water and a mug.
So, you’re convinced, you’ve got the kit, now you need to know how to use your AeroPress to create your perfect cup of coffee.
Understanding the Basics of an Aeropress
The Aeropress is a type of coffeemaker designed by Alan Adler in 2005. It uses an immersion brewing technique, which means that the coffee grounds are placed in a chamber and hot water is added over them. This creates an environment in which the coffee grounds can be extracted more thoroughly than with other types of brewing methods. The Aeropress also has the advantage of being lightweight and easy to use.
The Aeropress consists of two plastic cylinders, a filter cap, and a plunger. The two cylinders screw together to form an airtight chamber. The filter cap is placed on top of the chamber and a coffee filter is placed inside. The plunger is then inserted into the chamber, pushing the coffee grounds to the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is then filled with hot water, which is slowly pushed through the coffee grounds and filtered into a cup or mug.
Once the water has been pushed through the grounds, the plunger is used to press the grounds down and extract the remaining flavor. The Aeropress is designed to be used with a variety of grinds, from coarse to fine, and can be used to make both espresso-style coffee and regular brewed coffee. The Aeropress is also easy to clean, as all of the components can be disassembled and washed with soap and water.
Choosing the Right Coffee Beans
The most important part of making the perfect cup of coffee with an Aeropress is choosing the right coffee beans. The type of beans you choose will have a big impact on the flavor of your coffee. Different types of beans will provide different levels of flavor, so it’s important to find the type of beans that best match your palate.
For the best results, you should look for freshly roasted beans that are specifically designed for use with an Aeropress. Freshly roasted beans will provide the most flavor and the least amount of bitterness. When selecting your beans, you should also pay close attention to the grind size. Different grind sizes will affect the flavor and strength of your coffee.
We recommend one of our single origin coffee selection packs and selecting the 'Aeropress' grind. This fine grind size we have found works best with the Aeropress paper filters.
When selecting your beans, you should also consider the origin of the beans. Different regions produce different types of beans, and each region will have its own unique flavor profile. Additionally, you should also consider the roast level of the beans. Darker roasts will have a more intense flavor, while lighter roasts will be more subtle.
Grinding Your Coffee Beans
Once you’ve chosen the right beans for your Aeropress, you’ll need to grind them. The grind size should match the size of the filter in the Aeropress – if you’re using a standard paper filter, you should use a medium-fine grind. If you’re using a metal filter, you should use a finer grind.
It’s important to use a burr grinder when grinding your beans as this will ensure that they are ground evenly. You should also avoid over-grinding your beans as this can lead to bitterness and other unpleasant flavors.
When grinding your beans, it's important to keep in mind that the grind size can affect the flavor of your coffee. A finer grind will result in a stronger cup of coffee, while a coarser grind will produce a milder cup. Experiment with different grind sizes to find the one that best suits your taste.
We recommend we grind your freshly roasted beans for you using our high-end machines in our roastery. This service is provided at no extra cost.
Brewing Your Coffee with an Aeropress
When your Aeropress is ready, you can start brewing your coffee. After stirring the water and grounds for about 10 seconds, put the filter cap on and twist it securely into place. Now place your mug or cup onto the plunger and slowly press down on it until all of the water has been forced through the filter.
Once all of the water has been pushed through, remove the mug or cup from the plunger and discard the grounds. You can now enjoy your freshly brewed Aeropress coffee!
Follow our step-by-step process to create your coffee:
- Boil some water and choose a mug.
- Put a filter paper into the detachable plastic cap on the AeroPress (tip: use a few dabs of water to make it stick).
- Assemble your AeroPress as in the picture below – the numbers will be upside down.
- Take a scoop of coffee and put it in your AeroPress as shown, being careful not to spill any on the rim.
- Fill up with your boiling water – the less water you use, the stronger your coffee. At Capital, our coffee is STRONG, so we usually fill to near the top.
- Use the stirrer to stir your coffee grounds into the water and leave to sit for a minute or so.
- Now pop your plastic cap with filter over the top of the AeroPress and twist into place.
- In one smooth movement, tip over the whole AeroPress 180 degrees and place atop your mug.
- Apply pressure to the top, and slowly watch the AeroPress descend and compact. You’ll hear a hissing sound when you get to the bottom – this means your coffee is done. This motion takes 10-30 seconds.
- Take your AeroPress over to your bin, remove the plastic filter (careful – it can be hot) – and push one more inch to get rid of your grounds and paper filter, give the AeroPress a rinse under the tap and leave to dry, ready for your next coffee.
- Return to your mug, add milk and sugar as desired, and enjoy your coffee!
Tips for Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee with an Aeropress
Making a perfect cup of coffee with an Aeropress takes some practice, but here are some tips to help you get started:
- Use freshly roasted beans specifically designed for Aeropress.
- Grind your beans to the correct size using a burr grinder.
- Measure out 20-30 grams of water depending on desired strength.
- Stir for 10 seconds before pressing down on the plunger.
- Discard used grounds after each use.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Aeropress
Cleaning and maintaining your Aeropress is important if you want it to last for years. After each use, remove the filter cap and discard any used coffee grounds. Rinse out the chamber with hot water and then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. You should also replace your filter regularly to ensure that it is always clean.
It’s also important to check your Aeropress regularly for any signs of wear or damage. If any parts are worn or damaged, they should be replaced immediately.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with an Aeropress
If you’re having trouble getting your Aeropress to work properly, there are a few things you can try:
- Check that your filter is properly sealed in place.
- Ensure that you’re using freshly roasted beans.
- Grind your beans to the correct size.
- Make sure that you’re using enough water (20-30 grams).
- Stir your coffee grounds before pressing down on the plunger.
From our experience an Aeropress can last around 4-5 years with daily use, but care must be taken when using a dishwasher or using abrasive cleaning products which could scratch the plastic. Do not store your Aeropress with the plunger inside the cylinder as this can cause it to be permanent compressed out of shape.
Alternatives to Using an Aeropress
If you’re not sure if an Aeropress is for you, there are some alternatives available. Other popular immersion brewing methods include French press, Moka pot, and pour over coffee makers such as the Hario V60. Each method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do some research before deciding which one is best for you.
