How to make coffee with Aeropress: Explore 4 Methods

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/936056934?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479

In the ever-evolving world of coffee, the AeroPress stands as a versatile and beloved brewing device cherished by coffee brewers worldwide. Its simplicity, portability, and ability to produce a rich, flavourful cup of coffee have made it a staple in many households and cafes. While the standard method of brewing with an Aeropress is well-known, there are several alternative techniques that can elevate your coffee game. In this post, we’ll show you how to make coffee with AeroPress using four distinct brewing methods: upright, inverted, as a filter, and utilising the Prismo attachment. Each method offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks, allowing you to tailor your brewing experience to suit your preferences.

How to use AeroPress in Four different ways

Upright Brewing Method

The upright brewing method is the traditional approach recommended by the Aeropress inventor, Alan Adler. It involves placing the Aeropress on a sturdy surface with the plunger facing upwards.

Start with your favourite coffee blend ground for AeroPress or filter (a bit finer than French Press and coarser than espresso). My personal favourite for this method is our House Blend.

How to make coffee with Aeropress using the Upright Method

1. Heat your water to the desired temperature (ideally between 90°C and 96°C).
2. Insert a paper filter into the filter cap and rinse it with hot water to remove any paper taste.
3. Place the Aeropress on a sturdy surface with the plunger facing upwards.
4. Add your desired amount of coffee grounds into the Aeropress chamber (usually around 1 to 2 tablespoons for a single serving – or 20gms, the way we like it).
5. Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds until the chamber is filled to the desired level, stirring gently to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
6. Allow the coffee to steep for the desired duration (usually around 1 to 2 minutes).
7. Attach the filter cap onto the Aeropress and gently press down on the plunger until all the coffee has been extracted into your cup. Avoid pressing too hard and too fast.
8. Dilute the brewed coffee with hot water to your preferred strength, or drink it just as it is. You could also add a dash of milk.
9. Enjoy your freshly brewed cup of coffee!

Pros and Cons of using the upright method

Pros:

• Simplicity: This method is straightforward and easy to master, making it ideal for beginners.
• Control: It allows for precise control over brewing time and pressure, resulting in a consistent cup of coffee.
• Minimal Cleanup: Since the Aeropress remains upright throughout the brewing process, cleanup is relatively hassle-free.

Cons:

• Limited Immersion Time: The coffee grounds have limited contact time with water, potentially affecting the depth of flavor.

Inverted Brewing Method

The inverted brewing method flips the Aeropress upside down, with the plunger at the bottom, allowing for a longer immersion time.

Start with your favourite coffee blend ground for AeroPress or filter (a bit finer than French Press and coarser than espresso). My personal favourite for this method is our Organic Blend.

Warning! This method can get messy, but once you do it a couple of times, you won’t spill any.

How to make coffee with Aeropress using the Inverted Method

1. Assemble the Aeropress by attaching the plunger to the chamber, but do attach the filter cap and paper filter yet.
2. Flip the Aeropress upside down so that the plunger is at the bottom with the seal facing up and the chamber too.
3. Add your desired amount of coffee grounds into the Aeropress chamber (1-2 tbsp or 20gms).
4. Pour the hot water over the coffee until the chamber is filled to the desired level, stirring gently to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
5. Allow the coffee to steep for the desired duration (usually around 1 to 2 minutes, but you can go all the way to 4 minutes if you want a stronger brew).
6. Wet a paper filter, place it in the filter cap and attach the cap onto the AeroPress chamber.
7. Place your cup upside down on top of the chamber and holding both cup and AeroPress, carefully, quickly and without hesitation, flip the AeroPress and cup so the cup sits on the counter with the AeroPress on top; press down on the plunger to extract the brewed coffee.
8. Dilute the brewed coffee with hot water to your preferred strength, if necessary or add a dash of milk. I like it black just as is.
9. Enjoy your delicious inverted AeroPress brew!

Pros and Cons of using the Inverted Method

Pros:

• Enhanced Flavour Extraction: With a longer immersion time, this method extracts more flavour from the coffee grounds, resulting in a bolder brew.
• Versatility: It provides flexibility in adjusting variables such as brewing time and agitation, allowing for experimentation and customisation.
• No dripping: Since the AeroPress is inverted, the brewed coffee won’t be dripping in the beginning of the brewing process as it does with the traditional method.

Cons:

• Requires Precision: Flipping the AeroPress without causing spills can be tricky, especially for beginners.
• Cleanup Challenge: Inverted brewing may lead to slightly more challenging cleanup due to potential drips and spills.

Aeropress as a Filter

Using the AeroPress as a filter involves brewing directly into a separate vessel, such as a glass or mug, without pressing the plunger.

Start with your favourite coffee blend ground for AeroPress or filter (a bit finer than French Press and coarser than espresso). My personal favourite for this method is our Flight Mode Blend.

How to make coffee with Aeropress using it as a filter

1. Assemble the Aeropress by attaching the filter cap to the chamber and insert a paper filter.
2. Place the Aeropress on top of your cup or carafe.
3. Add your desired amount of coffee grounds into the Aeropress chamber (1-2 tbsp or 20gms, the way we like it).
4. Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds until the chamber is filled to the desired level, stirring gently to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
5. Allow the coffee to pass through the filter until there is no more water left inside the chamber. Hint: if it takes too long or gets clogged, you ground the coffee too fine; if the coffee is brewed very fast and lacks flavour, your coffee is too coarse. Play around with the grind size until you get a brew in 2-3 minutes.
6. Lift the Aeropress slightly to allow the brewed coffee to flow through the filter into your cup or carafe if you find it’s not flowing because the AeroPress created a tight seal with the cup.
7. Once all the coffee has passed through the filter, discard the used grounds and paper filter.
8. Enjoy your clean and flavourful cup of coffee!

Pros and Cons of using the AeroPress as a filter

Pros:

• Clean Cup: This method produces a cleaner cup of coffee by preventing over-extraction that can occur with pressing.
• Easy Cleanup: Since there’s no pressing involved, cleanup is simplified, requiring only the disposal of the coffee grounds and rinsing the Aeropress.

Cons:

• Grind size: you might have to brew it a few times until you find the right grind size for the AeroPress to work as a filter.
• Limited Control: It offers less control over the strength and intensity of the coffee since there’s no pressing involved.

Prismo Attachment Brewing Method

The Prismo attachment is an aftermarket accessory designed to enhance the Aeropress brewing experience by creating pressure for espresso-style coffee.

How to make coffee with Aeropress using the Prismo Attachment

Start with your favourite coffee ground for espresso or between espresso and filter. My personal favourite for this method is our House Blend.

1. Attach the Prismo attachment to the Aeropress chamber according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Heat up water to 94-96 degrees.
3. Add your desired amount of finely ground coffee into the Aeropress chamber; we find 20gms works really well.
4. Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds until the chamber is filled to the desired level, stirring gently to ensure all the grounds are saturated.
5. Attach the plunger to the chamber to create a build up of pressure inside the chamber and let it steep for 30 seconds.
6. After the desired brewing time (usually around 30 seconds to 1 minute), press down firmly and steadily on the plunger to extract the coffee into your cup.
7. Enjoy the rich and intense flavours of your AeroPress espresso-style brew! Add sugar, milk or hot water if desired.

Pros and Cons of using the Prismo attachment method

Pros:

• Espresso-Like Results: The Prismo attachment enables the AeroPress to produce a concentrated, espresso-like coffee.
• Increased Pressure: It increases pressure during the brewing process, allowing for greater extraction and flavour concentration.
• Versatility: The Prismo attachment can also be used for traditional AeroPress brewing methods or Cold Brew, offering added versatility.

Cons:

• Additional Cost: Purchasing the Prismo attachment is an additional investment beyond the AeroPress itself.
• Learning Curve: Mastering the Prismo attachment may require some practice to achieve optimal results, particularly in terms of grind size and plunging pressure.

Conclusion

The AeroPress offers a multitude of brewing possibilities (we haven’t even talked about cold brew, cold drip or tea brewing with this device), each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the upright method, the boldness of the inverted technique, the cleanliness of using it as a filter, or the espresso-like results achieved with the Prismo attachment, there’s a brewing method to suit every palate.

By experimenting with these diverse approaches, you can unlock new dimensions of flavour and elevate your coffee experience to new heights. And here we are only scratching the surface. There is so much more you can do with an AeroPress, like making your own Cold Brew, brewing tea and even making Cold Drip Coffee!

Leave us your comments or questions and we’ll do our best to answer.

We hope you enjoyed our post on how to make coffee with AeroPress and that you try them all at home!

Thanks for reading!

Fi