Before you start
Rinse the paper filter and heat the chamber with hot water. Use a scale and a timer. The recipes below use the upright method, with the plunger inserted a little to avoid dripping.
1. Everyday recipe
- 15 g coffee, ground medium-fine
- 225 g water at 90 °C
- Steep for 1:30, stir gently, then press for 30 seconds
Balanced and sweet. It suits medium roasts with chocolate and nut notes.
2. Bright recipe for light roasts
- 15 g coffee, ground medium-fine
- 250 g water at 96 °C
- Pour, stir three times, steep for 2:00, then press slowly for 40 seconds
Hotter water and a longer steep bring out the sweetness and fruit in floral coffees such as Ethiopia Yirgacheffe.
3. Iced concentrate
- 20 g coffee, ground medium-fine
- 120 g water at 95 °C
- Steep for 1:30, press for 30 seconds directly onto 120 g of ice in a glass
Stir until the ice melts into the coffee. Because it is brewed hot and chilled quickly, it keeps more aroma than a slow method. For a slower approach see cold brew at home.
Troubleshooting
- Hard to press: grind coarser, or ease off after the first 20 seconds.
- Sour: grind finer or steep longer.
- Bitter: shorten the steep or lower the temperature by 3–4 °C.
Stop pressing when you hear a hiss. The last drops are the most bitter.
Upright or inverted?
In the upright method the AeroPress sits on your mug, and a little coffee may drip before you press. Inverted means the device is upside down with the plunger at the bottom, so nothing drips during the steep. It gives you more control, but it is a little riskier, because you must flip it onto the mug without spilling. Both methods work well.
Paper or metal filter?
Paper filters give a clean, bright cup. A metal filter lets more oils through and gives a heavier body. Rinse a paper filter first to remove the paper taste.
Common questions
Does an AeroPress make espresso?
Not real espresso. It uses far less pressure than an espresso machine, but it can make a strong, concentrated coffee that works nicely with milk or hot water.
Can I reuse the paper filter?
You can, if you rinse it well and it is not torn. Many people prefer a fresh filter each time for the cleanest flavor.
What grind should I use?
Medium-fine works for most recipes, and it is finer than for a drip machine. If pressing is hard, grind coarser.
