I’ve been using the AeroPress for about one month now, so approximately fifty brews in total. I’m certainly still far from being an expert on the matter. With that said, the AeroPress is pretty easy to pick up and experiment with, or you could just find a recipe on the Internet (there are plenty). Here’s just one more.

My Recipe:

Water-Coffee Ratio: 16:1

Total Water/Coffee: 200g, 12.5g

Water Temperature: 185F-195F (85C-91C)

Coffee Grind Size: like a Turkish grind (like flour)

Total Brew Time: 2:15

A Few Notes:

After reading that, you might have a question or two. I’ll explain.

1. Why such a fine grind size? I use such a fine grind size because that is how the coffee came (typical for pre-ground coffee in Indonesia). Yes I use pre-ground coffee…*gasp*. I will say, you can make good coffee with an AeroPress using bad coffee. My coffee is undoubtedly stale and is an arabica, robusta blend (I’ve also used 100% robusta). Needless to say, the coffee is not ideal, yet it still yields a far superior cup than I find at Dunkin’ Donuts (even with 100% old, robusta). So don’t worry. You can still brew good coffee with bad coffee (although not what you would find in a specialty coffee shop but still way better than a machine, which most people are used to anyhow).

2. Why did I choose that water temperature? I have a water tank that puts out hot water. It is said to hold water at 91C, but I factored in the fact that it probably doesn’t actually always produce water at 91C, but is probably a little under that. Luckily, this water temperature is perfect for the AeroPress.

3. Why such small measurements? I prefer a smaller cup because I drink slow. That way if I want more, I just make more. It’s fun, simple, and fast, so I don’t mind making a fresh cup. Plus usually with lower quality coffee, as the temperature drops, the quality of the cup drops too.

How-To:

1. I use the inverted AeroPress method. This is simple and is better for longer brew times. Simply insert the plunger until the 4, then flip the whole press over. Don’t put the filter cap on yet. You will need to pour the coffee and water in first. When finished brewing, you will need to flip it over onto your mug and press.

2. Weigh out 12.5g of coffee (yes having a scale is o’ so helpful), and dump it into the inverted AeroPress.

3. Measure out 50ml of hot water and pour in slowly (or if you have a larger scale, you can place the whole press on the scale and slowly pour in 50g of water). Start your timer as soon as you finish pouring. Give it a good swirl to ensure all the grounds are in contact with water and let it sit for 30 seconds. This is the bloom stage (This releases CO2 from the grounds. Only really important for fresh coffee, but I still do it for fun.).

(Note: For preparing the water, bring it to a boil, and then let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring. Never use boiling water! Your coffee will be bitter.)

4.  Pour in the remaining 150ml/g of water slowly, as to not over agitate the coffee (more important for finer grounds). Wet the paper filter, put it in the cap, and screw it into place. Now wait until the 1:45 mark.

5. At 1:45, flip the AeroPress over onto your pre-heated (and sturdy mug) and begin to press. I aim for a 30s press with the final brew time being ~2:15.

6. Rinse your AeroPress, and enjoy your coffee!

Final Thoughts:

1. I have only used the paper filters so far, but I am eager to try both of Able’s brewing DISK filter. I do, however, reuse the paper filter several times over until it starts to retain a dark brown color.

2. For a courser grind, increase the steep time, and perhaps agitate a little more by stirring halfway through to ensure better extraction.

Lastly REMEMBER. You don’t have to be an expert or have the best equipment or have the finest coffee to make good coffee with the AeroPress. Don’t let them fool you into thinking you need a $15 bag of coffee or else it’s going to be awful. It may not be specialty coffee, but even pre-ground, store bought coffee can taste good in an AeroPress, especially considering you’re probably used to that same pre-ground coffee in a cheap coffee machine. I promise, the AeroPress is a great magician, turning bad into good.