AeroPress Me Please!
Updated: Oct 25, 2022
I'll admit that the AeroPress has always been an odd one for me. I wrote it off as some weird camping, outdoorsy brewer that I didn’t really have a use for since I have my trusty pour-over (my go-to brewing method.)
That is until I discovered the AeroPress’ true magic. It can make espresso too!! Without an espresso machine?! I didn’t believe it at first, and yes, you won’t get the traditional silky crema from using a manual-automatic machine, but dammit it does work. As long as you have good quality coffee, it will taste like a concentrated shot of coffee (basically what espresso is.)
I was amazed and tried out an Ethiopian natural processed coffee sample from my roaster. So long story short, the way coffee is processed will affect its final flavor presentation. Naturally processed coffee is dried with the parchment (or coffee cherry “skin”) still on it, preserving richer, sweeter notes. (More on this later!) When I tell y’all this AeroPress made an AHMAZING shot, bursting with blueberry notes, I was finally a convert. The AeroPress was invented by the scientist Alan Adler in 2005 as an easier way to reduce bitterness and acidity in coffee, and mannn I'm so happy he did!
I seriously recommend grabbing an AeroPress to make easy and tasty at-home lattes, cappuccinos, or whatever you like with espresso. It’s unrealistic for most people to get expensive espresso machines, plus counter space is at a premium! (Shout out to fellow tiny city apartment dwellers) You can find them at local retailers like Bed Bath and Beyond, local specialty cafés, or Amazon.
Here’s a general guide to get you started:
Coffee: 18grams
Grind: Fine-Similar to sand or table salt. (NOTE: If you can’t plunge the coffee, it’s too fine and you need a slightly coarser grind)
Water (Filtered/Bottled is best for best-tasting coffee!)
Timer
Scale
Bring your water to a boil and let cool slightly. If you have an electric kettle set to 203.
If your coffee is not already ground, this is a great time to weigh 18 grams and grind as you wait for your water to heat.
Grab an enclosed filter and wet it to ensure your coffee brews properly.
Place the filter into the bottom of AeroPress with the cap with perforated holes. Screw the filter onto the bottom of AeroPress.
Using the enclosed funnel, add your ground coffee.
Place AeroPress on a scale, making sure to tare out to zero.
Begin timer and pour 80-90 grams of water into AeroPress.
Wait 45 seconds, then place the enclosed plunger on top and slowly and evenly plunge! (About 15 seconds) NOTE: You might have to put a little elbow grease into the plunge, as the coffee is ground finer. However, you should not be injuring yourself! When you first go to plunge, you might have a bit of resistance from the heat escaping, that's normal, just take a second and attempt to replunge. If it absolutely won’t plunge, you need a coarser grind.)
You should yield about 3 oz, perfect for a long espresso shot!
It's as simple as that! Hopefully, you'll try this out, and see how easy good coffee at home can be! I'm always down to talk coffee and chat, so please drop a comment here, or you can find me on either Twitter or Instagram if you prefer. Happy brewing! ☕💕😊