The AeroPress is a portable, plastic brewing device invented in 2005 by Aerobie frisbee inventor Alan Adler. Despite its humble appearance, it's become a cult favourite in specialty coffee for its incredible versatility — you can brew anything from espresso-style concentrates to clean, bright filter coffee just by changing your recipe. There's even a World AeroPress Championship.
Difficulty
beginner
Brew time
1:30-2:30 minutes
Grind
Medium to medium-fine — between pour over and espresso
Ratio
1:12 to 1:16 (very flexible — experiment!)
Insert the plunger into the chamber about 1cm and flip upside down. This is the 'inverted method' — it prevents coffee from dripping through before you're ready.
Add 15g of medium-fine ground coffee into the inverted chamber.
Pour 200g of water at 85-90°C. For a stronger, more concentrated brew, use less water (150g). Give it a gentle stir — 3-4 times is enough.
Cap with filter (pre-rinsed) and wait 1:00-1:30. Total brew time from first pour to pressing should be about 2 minutes.
Carefully flip the AeroPress onto your mug and press down with gentle, steady pressure for 20-30 seconds. Stop when you hear the hiss — pushing past the hiss extracts bitter compounds.
Incredibly versatile. Paper filter: clean, sweet, bright. Metal filter: more body, oils, roundness. The short brew time means low bitterness, and the pressure adds a smooth, slightly syrupy quality unique to AeroPress.
Travelers, experimenters, anyone who wants great coffee with minimal equipment and maximum flexibility