AeroPress: The 3-Minute Coffee That Punches Way Above Its Weight

The AeroPress is cheap, nearly indestructible, and makes an excellent cup. Here's our no-nonsense guide to using one properly.

Standard method (upright)

Use 15g of coffee (medium-fine grind — between cafetière and espresso) and 200ml of water at 85–90°C.

1. Put the filter in the cap, wet it, attach the cap to the chamber.
2. Place on a mug. Add your coffee.
3. Pour in your water. Stir for 10 seconds.
4. Put the plunger in and press gently for 20–30 seconds.
5. Stop pressing when you hear a hiss.

Total brew time: about 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Drink straight or add more hot water for a longer cup.

Inverted method (if you're feeling fancy)

Flip the AeroPress upside down, add coffee and water, steep for 1–2 minutes, then flip and press. Gives more control over brew time and slightly more body. Worth trying once you've got the standard method dialled.

Why lower temperature?

AeroPress extracts fast under pressure, so slightly cooler water (85–90°C rather than 94°C) prevents over-extraction and bitterness. If your coffee tastes harsh, let the water cool for a minute before using it.

Best coffees for AeroPress

Genuinely everything works, but single origins shine here — the AeroPress is forgiving enough to highlight nuance without the finickiness of espresso. Try our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe or Colombia.