The AeroPress is a device for brewing coffee. It was invented in 2005 by
Aerobie president Alan Adler. Coffee is steeped for 10–50 seconds and then
forced through a filter by pressing the plunger through the tube. The filters
used are either the AeroPress paper filters or disc shaped thin metal
filters. The maker describes the result as an espresso strength concentration of
coffee, but its most frequent use is more in the filter brew strength.
The device consists of two nesting cylinders. One cylinder has a flexible
airtight seal and fits inside the larger cylinder, similar to a syringe.
The cylinders are moulded of polypropylene, tinted a grey colour. The
first Aeropress were moulded of clear polycarbonate, then later of
copolyester, clear and later tinted. The materials change away from polycarbonate
was driven by the market fashion for BPA-free materials, even though no
leaching of this material had occurred. Later changes were for aesthetic and
strength reasons. Methods of brewing
= Traditional = According to the instructions,
fine-ground coffee is placed in the bottom of the larger cylinder on top of
a paper microfilter. Hot water at approximately 170 to 190 degrees
Fahrenheit or 75 to 85 degrees Celsius is then poured over the coffee; this
mixture is stirred for approximately 10 seconds before being forced through the
microfilter by pushing the plunger downwards. In the different coffee
competitions world wide, the coffee is more often ground slightly finer than
'filter grind', and the dose is between 14 and 20 grams, with about 200 to 230
milliliters of water at 80 to 92 degrees Celsius and a steeping time of 30 to 60
seconds. = Inverted =
Baristas and coffee drinkers have also developed methods of brewing using an
inverted AeroPress. In inverted brewing, the plunger is
placed into the column from the beginning, close to the “top” of the
column, and the entire AeroPress stands upside-down, resting on the top of the
plunger. One or two scoops of ground coffee are added, followed by water, and
the entire mixture then stirred. While that brews, a filter is placed into the
filter cap and moistened to help it stick in place then the AeroPress cap is
placed on top of the column and screwed into place. Lastly, once the desired
brewing time is complete the AeroPress is either turned right-side-up and
plunged normally or held at an angle and plunged horizontally.
This method is more similar to the French press, particularly the extended
brewing time in which the grounds and water sit together. This makes it useful
for using grinds that wouldn't be optimal in the official method such as
coarse grinds that might be used in a French press.
AeroPress coffee properties Claimed to have roughly the same
strength as espresso Higher pH than drip coffee
30-second total brewing time Differences from French press
The AeroPress, though sharing some characteristics with a French press, is
quite different: Uses a disposable paper filter which
removes most of the coffee solids. However, several third-party reusable
metal filters are available. Shorter brewing time
Uses air pressure to improve extraction of flavour.
Uses a fine grind, versus the coarse grind recommended for French presses
See also Coffee portal
References External links
Official website Official UK Aeropress Distributor
Five star Aerobie AeroPress Review from SlinkyStudio.info
World Aeropress Championship website, recipes
The AeroPress Coffee Machine: a new concept in an ancient art
Review at Dan's Data New York Times article
Los Angeles Times article Interview with the inventor, Alan Adler
in Fast Company Inventor portrait: Alan Adler