AeroPress — steep, then press by hand

The AeroPress is a brewer in which the grounds steep in hot water inside a tube, and a plunger pressed by hand pushes the coffee out through a paper filter. It has a side like the French Press, which steeps and waits, and a side like espresso, which pushes the coffee out under pressure.

Origins

It was invented by the American inventor Alan Adler. Known for a flying ring toy that travels a long way, he released it in 2005 as a tool for brewing a single cup quickly and well. It is light, hard to break and easy to take traveling or outdoors.

An example recipe

15g of coffee to 200g of water, at 85–90°C. Pour the water, stir lightly, wait about a minute and a half, then press slowly over twenty to thirty seconds.

Because it passes through a paper filter, the mouthfeel is clean. Dilute the strong liquid you press out with hot water to increase the volume while adjusting the taste.

Brewing upside down

There is also a way of brewing with the tube upside down: add coffee and water, wait, then flip it over and press. Because no liquid drips out the bottom while you wait, you can set the steeping time precisely. Take care not to spill when you flip it.

Plenty of freedom

Since 2008, a competition using only this brewer has been held every year, and all kinds of recipes have emerged around the world. Water temperature, time and amount of coffee vary greatly by recipe. With no fixed right answer, it is a brewer that brings a discovery every time you try.

Comparing brew methods sets out the differences from other methods in diagrams.