With the quickness of a Keurig and the manual ease of a French press, learning how to make AeroPress coffee is as simple as it is fun.
![Learn How to Make AeroPress Coffee](https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1253672157.jpg)
Learn How to Make AeroPress Coffee
![Learn How to Make AeroPress Coffee](https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1253672157.jpg)
We coffee devotees love our trusted drip coffee makers and our never-fail French presses. We love the first sip of a freshly brewed pour-over coffee and the gurgling sound of steaming espresso being pulled. OK, OK, you get the gist—we’re obsessed with any and all types of coffee.
So of course, when we need to figure out how to make AeroPress coffee, we’re game. The beauty of this brewing tool is that it’s quick and easy, and it’s ideal for a single serving. Inventor Alan Adler created the AeroPress because he wanted a way to make a single serving of coffee just as strong as a whole pot. He found that brewing one cup of coffee in a regular pot resulted in a weak brew. After months of testing, the AeroPress was born.
How to Make AeroPress Coffee
Ingredients
- Coffee grounds, at least enough for one AeroPress scoop
- Water
Tools You’ll Need
- AeroPress: Can’t make an AeroPress coffee without the AeroPress!
- AeroPress filters: Just like your average drip coffee, you still need a filter for the coffee grounds. These filters are made specifically for your AeroPress.
- Coffee Grinder:Â To keep the process manual, you can use the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill, or make things easy and go automatic with one of these other top-rated coffee grinders.
- Tea kettle:Â If the name of the game for your busy mornings is speed, then electric kettles are the way to go. This KitchenAid 1.25-Liter Electric Kettle heats up quicker than many other electric options.
Directions
Step 1: Boil water
We love easy steps—simply boil water in an electric or stovetop kettle.
Step 2: Grind beans
Grind the beans to a medium coarseness, about halfway between what you’d use for espresso vs drip coffee. The grounds should not be so fine that they resemble confectioners’ sugar.
Step 3: Disassemble to reassemble
The AeroPress comes in three parts: the plunger, the brew chamber and the basket. Lay these three parts out in front of you while your water boils. Press an AeroPress filter into the basket. Attach the basket to the brew chamber and place over a coffee mug.
Step 4: Fill the chamber
Your AeroPress will come with a scoop. For one espresso-style serving, fill the scoop once with coffee grounds and pour them into the chamber. Shake the chamber slightly to level the grounds.
If you’re planning on more of an American-style coffee cup, pour 4 scoops of grounds into the chamber.
Step 5: Start brewing
Pour the boiling water into your AeroPress. The chamber has numbers on the outside (1 through 4), and this will help you determine how much coffee you’d like to make. Pouring to the number 1 will fill an espresso cup, while pouring to the number 4 will give you a full-bodied, 6-ounce cup of coffee. Use the paddle that came with your AeroPress to stir the grounds and water.
Place the plunger in the chamber at an angle, then straighten it out and pull up slightly. This will create a pressure seal. Gently press down on the plunger, similar to how you’d use a French press. The plunge should take a little less than 2 minutes.
Step 6: Wait for the hiss, and serve
Once the plunger is at the end of the chamber, you may hear a hiss. This is a sign that your coffee is done brewing. Pull out the plunger and enjoy your quick brew.
FAQs About AeroPress Coffee
Do I need espresso beans for AeroPress?
No. Espresso beans are roasted differently than regular coffee beans and might result in very bitter coffee.
Why is my AeroPress coffee bitter?
Your grounds might not be coarse enough. Try grinding to a more coarse consistency and plunging a bit faster. A quicker plunge means less time for the grounds to become bitter from steeping.
AeroPress vs. French press: Are they the same?
They are similar. Think of an AeroPress as the faster version of a French press. While coffee can be brewed in about 2 minutes in an AeroPress, it takes about 5 minutes in a French press. The AeroPress is also meant for a single serving, whereas a French press has a larger capacity.