The Complete Guide to Brewing AeroPress Coffee

Invented by Alan Adler (the same guy who invented the Aerobie frisbee!), the AeroPress coffee maker has become a leader in speciality coffee brewing.

In our complete guide, we walk you through how to create great AeroPress coffee step by step. 

1. What is AeroPress coffee?
2. The difference between AeroPress and AeroPress Go:
3. AeroPress brewing methods
4. What you’ll need to brew
5. How to use an AeroPress
6. Share your AeroPress coffee recipes
7. AeroPress coffee FAQs

What is AeroPress coffee?

AeroPress coffee is a type of coffee brewing method that uses the AeroPress, a cylindrical coffeemaker complete with plunger.

This brewing system launched in 2005 and quickly became popular with coffee lovers across the globe for its portable design and ease of use. 

To give you a better idea of just how highly regarded the AeroPress is within the coffee community - every year there is a World AeroPress Championship which is held in Melbourne.

During the championship, contestants from over 60 countries compete to make the best cup of coffee using their go-to AeroPress recipe. 

Here in the UK, Caravan Coffee Roasters runs their annual English AeroPress Championships in September. This year, one of our team took to London to compete in the champs, read more about her experience here.

What is the difference between the AeroPress and the AeroPress Go?

After the huge success of the original model, in 2019 AeroPress Inc. launched the AeroPress Go - a smaller, more mobile version of the original design.

With similar brewing methods, the main difference between the two products is size, which influences how much coffee you are able to brew.

Described by AeroPress as ‘the better travel coffee press’, the latest model includes a handy, multi-purpose mug which can be used for both drinking coffee and holding all the equipment when you’re on the go!

Here at Odd Kin, the whole team rates the Go for its portability and brewing capabilities.

Two methods for brewing coffee:

You may be surprised to find out that there are two common methods for brewing AeroPress coffee - traditional and inverted.

These two popular methods have divided the coffee community, with inventor Alan Adler recommending the traditional position in his original recipe. 

Ultimately, the best AeroPress method depends on your personal preference.

So, take time to play around with your gizmo and figure out which method suits you best!

1. The traditional method

This method is the brewing style the AeroPress was originally designed for and we describe this method in detail in the 6-step instructions below.

2. AeroPress inverted method

The inverted method was developed over time by the coffee community, who found that the immersion time could be maximised by standing the AeroPress upside down. 

Many brewers prefer the inverted method, as it allows brewers the coffee to be immersed in water for a longer time, increasing extraction.

However it should also be noted that this way of brewing shrinks the volume capacity of the brewer, resulting in less coffee.

💡 Top Tip: If you enjoy brewing AeroPress inverted, test out our barista trainer Lindsey's recipe which she brewed at the English AeroPress Championships.

What you'll need to get brewing:

• Kettle
• Timer
• Odd Kin's speciality coffee (grind type: whole bean or aeropress) 
• AeroPress coffee maker
• AeroPress scoop and stirrer
• AeroPress filter paper 
• Hand grinder or electric coffee grinder (optional) 
• Coffee water filter (optional)

How to use AeroPress:

Using the AeroPress coffee maker couldn’t be simpler.

Follow our 6 step AeroPress instructions from Odd Kin's Head Roaster, Rama, and your brew will be ready in no time at all: 

Step 1: To get started, you’re going to boil the kettle and then leave it to rest for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Bubbling water tends to agitate the grind which can impact the extraction and taste of your coffee.

Step 2: Grab your coffee and scoop - when it comes to choosing grind size, you want to use a medium-fine coffee, finer than v60, but not quite espresso grind. We’re going to be using 11g of coffee and 200g of boiling water.

Step 3: Pop an AeroPress filter paper into the cap of the AeroPress coffee maker and screw it back in. Don’t forget to rinse the filter paper thoroughly with hot water, this helps to reduce a papery taste from influencing your delicious brew.

Step 4: Next, you want to remove the plunger and place the base of the AeroPress on top of your cup. Using the scoop, simply pour the 11g of ground coffee into it on top of the paper.

Step 5: Get your timer ready, and pour in the 200g of boiling water, leaving it to sit for 2 minutes. After this, place the plunger on top and use the stirrer to swirl your AeroPress. It’s a good idea to hold both pieces of the coffeemaker together to avoid any spillages!

Step 6: Allow to rest for a further 30 seconds, then take 30 seconds to gently plunge all of the remaining coffee out of the AeroPress chamber. Voila! Your coffee is served. 

💡 Top Tip: We recommend using fresh, filtered water to allow for a fuller flavoured brew.

📝 Share your AeroPress coffee recipes

There are so many different recipes for this versatile brewing method, which is why we love it so much!

Are you a fan of the AeroPress? Why not share your favourite AeroPress recipe with us on Instagram.

AeroPress Coffee FAQs

How many grams of coffee should I use to make AeroPress?

At Odd Kin we’ve chosen to use a ratio of 1 to 18 coffee to water, so you’ll need 11g of coffee and 200g of boiling water.

The brew ratio will affect the concentration and flavour of your coffee, so the exact number of grams you should use is down to personal preference.

Note: The AeroPress scoop holds up to 11.5 grams of coffee.

What is the best grind size for AeroPress?

The ideal AeroPress grind size is medium-fine. This means that each coffee particle will be roughly 0.5 mm in size with a texture that’s smoother than sand.

We recommend grinding your coffee to order, as whole bean coffee keeps fresher for longer. This can be done with a hand grinder or electric coffee grinder, but if you don’t have one of these - don’t worry, we can do it for you!

When you buy coffee from Odd Kin Coffee Roasters, simply choose the AeroPress grind type and add to cart.

What is the difference between an AeroPress and a French press?

AeroPress and French press are two popular methods of brewing coffee that both feature simple design for easy use.

As immersion brewers, they both allow for the coffee and water to sit together before being filtered, but they have different processes, serving sizes and brew times.

What are the benefits of AeroPress coffee?

This much loved method of brewing coffee boasts a number of benefits for coffee beginners and baristas alike. The pros of using an AeroPress include:

• It uses gentle air pressure to create a rich flavour that’s low in acidity
• The brewing system results in uniform extraction, improving coffee taste
• Portable in design, it can travel with you wherever you go
• Made from non-toxic plastic that is sturdy, durable and long-lasting
• A versatile coffee maker that allows for creativity and various brewing methods 

Where can I buy an AeroPress?

You can buy the AeroPress Go right here from Odd Kin Coffee Roasters.

While you’re at it, bag yourself some speciality beans! We promise you won’t be disappointed.