The AeroPress is one of the most beloved brewing devices in the specialty coffee world — and for good reason. It's fast, forgiving, portable, and capable of producing an incredibly rich, smooth cup. Whether you're a coffee geek or a casual brewer, the AeroPress deserves a spot in your kitchen.
What Is the AeroPress?
Invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, the AeroPress uses a combination of immersion brewing (like French press) and pressure (like espresso) to extract coffee quickly. The result is a concentrated, full-flavored cup that's low in acidity and bitterness.
What You'll Need
- AeroPress brewer (includes chamber, plunger, and filter cap)
- AeroPress paper or metal filters
- Medium-fine ground coffee
- Hot water (175–205°F / 80–96°C)
- A mug or carafe
- A scale and timer (optional but helpful)
The Classic AeroPress Recipe
Ratio: 15–17g of coffee to 200–220ml of water
Grind: Medium-fine (finer than drip, coarser than espresso)
Water temp: 185–200°F (85–93°C) — slightly off boil
Total brew time: About 2 minutes
- Insert a filter into the filter cap and rinse it with hot water to remove paper taste. Attach the cap to the chamber.
- Place the AeroPress on your mug, chamber side down.
- Add your ground coffee to the chamber.
- Pour hot water to the top of the chamber (about 200ml). Stir for 10 seconds.
- Insert the plunger and press down slowly and steadily over 30–60 seconds. Stop when you hear a hissing sound.
- Dilute if desired — the AeroPress produces a concentrate. Add hot water to taste for an Americano-style cup, or enjoy it straight.
The Inverted Method
Many AeroPress enthusiasts swear by the inverted method, where you flip the brewer upside down during steeping to prevent dripping and allow full immersion. It gives you more control over steep time and produces a slightly fuller-bodied cup. It takes a bit of practice but is worth trying once you're comfortable with the basics.
Tips for a Better AeroPress Cup
- Experiment with grind size — finer grinds produce more intensity; coarser grinds are cleaner and lighter
- Try different water temperatures — lower temps (175–185°F) work beautifully with light roasts
- Use a metal filter for a fuller body (more oils pass through); use paper for a cleaner cup
- Don't press too hard — slow, steady pressure is key
Best Coffee for AeroPress
The AeroPress is incredibly versatile — it works well with light, medium, and dark roasts. Light roasts shine with lower water temps and highlight fruity, floral notes. Dark roasts produce a rich, espresso-like concentrate perfect for lattes or straight sipping.
At Brew Buddy Roast, we love recommending our single-origin light and medium roasts for AeroPress — the clarity of extraction really lets the origin character come through.
Pick up a bag and brew your best AeroPress cup yet.