AeroPress
Background Information
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The AeroPress is a device for brewing coffee. It was invented in 2005 by Aerobie president Alan Adler. Coffee is steeped for between 10-50 seconds (depending on grind and preferred strength) 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 copolyester cylinders. One cylinder has a rubber plunger and fits inside the larger cylinder to create an airtight seal, similar to a syringe.
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 (approximately 170-190 degrees Fahrenheit or 75-85 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 ( World Barista Championship, Brewers Cup, World AeroPress Championship etc), the coffee is more often ground slightly finer than 'filter grind', and the dose is between 14-20 gram. Around 200-230 gram of water, 80-92 degrees celsius, steeping time 30-60 seconds.
Inverted
Baristas and coffee drinkers have also developed a method of brewing using an inverted AeroPress. This allows more of the coffee oils, which contain much of the coffee flavor to be expelled from the AeroPress, while the primary method of brewing with the AeroPress leaves much of the oil in the leftover "puck" of grounds.
AeroPress coffee properties
- Claimed to have roughly the same strength as espresso
- Higher pH (less acidic) than drip coffee (one fifth as acidic)
- 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 (a French press uses a coarser wire or nylon mesh filter)
- Air pressure is used to extract more coffee flavor
- Shorter brewing time
- Uses slightly finer grind than drip, but coarser than espresso machines use
