All around the world, coffee has been part of our daily lives. It gives us the extra “kick” we need to get us up and ready in the morning and helps us unwind and relax in the afternoon after a ton of house chores.
It has been served and celebrated in many different ways. Over the years, companies have tried to make quality coffee available for everyone.
The Aeropress is first launched by the company Aerobie at a trade show in 2005. Find out why it has captured the hearts and homes of coffee lovers and coffee snobs alike.
Aeropress Coffee Review
Gratitude to Alan Adler, the man behind the 80’s Aerobie Pro flying ring, who is also the creative mind that introduced us to the amazing coffee brewing tool called the Aeropress.
As its name suggests, it works by pushing air, coffee, and water in a syringe-like cylinder thru a coffee filter and directly into your cup.
The result of the pressure is a bold and vibrant coffee similar to an espresso shot.
The Aeropress package comes with:
· A brew chamber
· Plunger
· Funnel
· Stirrer
· Scoop
· Filter holder
· 350 pcs paper filter
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Aeropress Coffee & Espresso Maker |
|
There are two methods to brewing coffee in an Aeropress:
1: Traditional – Put the micro-filter into the cap, attach the cap into the brewing chamber and place it on top of a cup or mug with a sturdy bottom. Scoop your coffee grounds into the chamber (for 1 cup of coffee, Adler recommends one scoop of coffee grounds).
Fill the chamber with hot water up to the 1 to 1.5 mark. Stir it for 10 seconds. Insert the plunger and press gently for 30-40 seconds.
This is the standard way of brewing, as demonstrated by Alan Adler himself in his youtube video.
2: Inverted – This is a method Aeropress users (who like to steep their coffee longer and want to avoid premature coffee extraction) came up with, especially when you are using fine-grind coffee.
It is basically turning the Aeropress upside down with the plunger already inserted for a tightly sealed chamber. Fill in with the desired amount of coffee grounds and hot water and stir for 10 seconds.
Pre-wet the micro-filter as you put it in the cap so it won’t fall off and attach the cap tightly on top (which is the actual bottom of the brew chamber), let the coffee steep for 45 seconds before inverting it (back into traditional position) into a sturdy mug, and gently push the plunger down until you hear the “hiss.”
According to their website, this method is not recommended by Aerobie as it’s not guaranteed safe so please proceed with caution. You can also check this link for detailed step-by-step instructions.
Knowing now how straightforward it is to use an Aeropress, let us weigh its pros and cons compared to other coffee appliances:
Pros Of A Aeropress
Simple – unlike expensive coffee machines with complicated parts and instructions, the Aeropress only consists of a few parts that are very easy to assemble and use.
Compact – the whole Aeropress assembly doesn’t take much space in your kitchen counter; it is also lightweight that you can pack it up and take it for camping, hiking, or anywhere you want you; take your proper cup of coffee with you.
Quick coffee – your smooth Aeropress coffee can be ready in less than a minute, perfect for your busy mornings.
It doesn’t require electricity – the Aeropress doesn’t require any energy other than your hand (and arm) pushing into the plunger to extract a flavorful coffee directly into your cup.
Produces less acidic coffee – because of the airtight seal and fine micro filter paper used in the Aeropress, oils and sediments don’t make it into your cup, making for a cleaner, healthier coffee.
Three brewing styles – the Aeropress brews espresso-like coffee as well as cold brew and American.
Easy to clean – cleaning the Aeropress is a breeze; pushing the coffee puck out into the trash bin and rinsing the whole assembly is even quicker than the brewing time.
Cons Of A Aeropress
Brews 1 cup at a time – the Aeropress can only brew a single cup at a time; if you have a whole family to prepare coffee for in the morning, then you will need a different coffee maker.
More product waste – Aeropress guarantees that their paper filters are 100% compostable. Still, more paper filters means more waste; I hope Aeropress would manufacture permanent coffee filters to go with them in the future.
Some brands created metal filters that fit the Aeropress, although Aerobie discourages the use of them as any damage caused by non-Aerobie accessories will void the warranty.
Why should I buy an Aeropress?
If you are a coffee snob, an Aeropress is a terrific addition to your coffee machine/gadget/paraphernalia at home.
You will be surprised at how fast and easy it is to use that you’ll probably be pulling it out of your cupboard more often and forget all about your other coffee makers.
If you don’t have any coffee maker yet, buying an Aeropress is a great start to your coffee brewing journey and probably all you’ll ever need.
Buyers Guide
Is an Aeropress really that good?
You won’t be able to obtain the same full-bodied shot you get from an espresso machine, but the Aeropress coffee is the next best thing, making you a decent cup of Joe where your coffee machine can’t go.
Aeropress and Aeropress Go, which is better?
Aerobie debuted the original Aeropress at a trade show in 2005 and developed its travel-friendly version – the Aeropress Go, in 2019.
The Aeropress Go has the same functionalities, but it is smaller and comes with a few accessories: a filter holder that fits up to 20pcs, a scoop, a foldable stirrer, a ribbed mug or cup big enough to serve coffee for two, and a red silicone cap so you can keep all the accessories inside the mug.
Aeropress Vs. French Press
The French press has been widely recognized and adopted worldwide for more than a hundred years. You will most likely find a classic French press on every home brewer’s coffee nook.
The Aeropress is like its modern version, and many debates have started about which of the two is better. For starters, they both deliver terrific coffee.
So let’s compare them in the following categories:
Simplicity – both the French Press and the Aeropress consist of a few parts that are relatively simple to assemble and utilize. They also both don’t require electricity.
Durability – the carafe of a French press is mostly made of glass, but with proper handle and maintenance, this traditional piece can last a lifetime.
On the other hand, the chamber and plunger of an Aeropress are made from polypropylene, a food-grade plastic that is highly durable, making it almost impossible to break.
Brewing time – if you need your coffee to be ready as soon as you head for the door on a busy morning, then choose the Aeropress. It only takes less to more than a minute to create a perfect cup of coffee.
The French press, however, needs a few more minutes to steep the coffee; it’s perfect for those lazy afternoons when you want to sit back and savor your coffee lavishly.
Portability – aside from durability, the Aeropress is also compact and lightweight making it travel-friendly and adored by hikers and campers.
The French press, although possible to take on travels, will require a sturdy case and an extra layer of protection to prevent breakage.
Ease of cleaning – it takes a lot longer to clean a French press with all the sediments and oil trapped in the metal mesh, while cleaning an Aeropress is as quick (if not faster) than its brewing time.
Overall, the decision on which is better remarkably depends on your coffee lifestyle.
Most coffee aficionados would gladly take both. If you are always out and about and wants to take your coffee with you wherever you go, then the Aeropress is your best buddy.
If you are not into the great outdoors or works from home and taking your coffee slowly is your great escape, then the classic French press will suit your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Amongst the different innovations in the coffee-making industry, the Aeropress exists as the simplest, most convenient (not to mention affordable) travel-friendly piece of equipment out there.
In a world where everything is “instant” (instant coffee, instant tea, instant noodles, etc.) and packed with preservatives, sugar, and other unhealthy stuff, creations like the Aeropress is a miracle.
It’s coffee in an “instant” without sacrificing quality. Thank you for browsing, and may your cup always be full!
