How to brew an Aeropress: Perfecting your cup with a champion's touch

by Hannah Williams September 16, 2024

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of the AeroPress, especially if you’re a coffee enthusiast. This simple yet ingenious coffee brewing device has gained a cult following since its invention, transforming the way many of us enjoy our coffee at home or on the go. And with the annual World AeroPress Championships bringing coffee lovers from all over the globe together to celebrate this humble brewer, it’s clear that the AeroPress is here to stay.

This year, the WAC will be held in the vibrant city of Lisbon, Portugal, where coffee enthusiasts and top-tier baristas from around the globe will gather to show off their brewing skills using this unassuming yet powerful device.

But what exactly makes the Aeropress so special? Let’s dive into its history, why it's a favorite among coffee champions, and how you can brew your own perfect cup at home—just like the pros.

A Brief History of the Aeropress

The Aeropress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a Stanford University professor and engineer best known for his work on flying toys, including the famous Aerobie frisbee. Adler’s foray into the world of coffee brewing began when he sought to design a device that could brew a cup quickly while offering rich, nuanced flavors without bitterness. The result was the Aeropress, a small, cylindrical coffee maker that uses air pressure to push water through coffee grounds.

What set the Aeropress apart was its simplicity. In a world dominated by complicated coffee machines, the Aeropress was easy to use, portable, and incredibly versatile, capable of producing a wide range of coffee styles—from espresso-like shots to smooth, full-bodied cups.

Since its release, the AeroPress has captivated coffee lovers around the world for its ease of use, versatility, and ability to deliver exceptional coffee with minimal equipment. What began as a niche brewing device has now grown into an international sensation, leading to the creation of the World AeroPress Championships (WAC), where coffee aficionados from different countries gather annually to showcase their creative brewing techniques.

Despite its humble origins, the Aeropress quickly gained a cult following, and by 2008, the first World Aeropress Championship was held in Oslo, Norway. The competition has since grown into an international phenomenon, with competitors from over 60 countries vying for the title of best Aeropress brewer.

The World Aeropress Championship: Lisbon 2024

The World Aeropress Championship (WAC) is a celebration of creativity, precision, and the pursuit of the perfect cup. Competitors each bring their own unique brewing techniques and recipes, demonstrating the versatility of the Aeropress in extracting complex flavors from coffee beans.

This year, the WAC is hosted in the culturally rich city of Lisbon, Portugal—a fitting location for a championship that thrives on diversity and innovation. Lisbon’s vibrant coffee culture, with its history of traditional coffee houses and a growing specialty coffee scene, makes it the perfect backdrop for this global event. Baristas will go head-to-head, crafting their best brews in front of an international audience, each hoping to capture the title of Aeropress champion.

How to Brew Like a Champion with Your Aeropress

While the WAC competitors may have their own secret techniques and finely tuned recipes, you don’t need to be a barista to brew a championship-worthy cup. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use your Aeropress to create a delicious, balanced brew that highlights the flavors of your coffee beans.

What You’ll Need:

Aeropress
Paper filter
Coffee beans (freshly ground for best results)
Grinder
Kettle
Scale (optional but recommended)
Stirrer
Timer
Water (heated to 85°C - 92°C or 185°F - 200°F)

The Inverted Method (Champion’s Favorite):

Many championship baristas use the inverted method—a simple variation on the standard brew technique that gives you more control over steeping time and extraction.

Step 1: Prepare Your Aeropress

Place the plunger inside the chamber, and turn the Aeropress upside down so the plunger is at the bottom.
Insert a paper filter into the filter cap, and rinse it with hot water to remove any papery taste.

Step 2: Weigh and Grind Your Coffee

Measure out 14-18 grams of coffee, depending on your taste preference.
Grind your coffee to a medium-fine consistency—similar to table salt.

Step 3: Add the Coffee

Pour the ground coffee into the inverted Aeropress chamber.

Step 4: Bloom the Coffee

Start your timer and pour in about 40-50 grams of water to saturate the grounds, just enough to cover them.
Let the coffee "bloom" for about 30 seconds—this releases carbon dioxide from the coffee, enhancing flavor.

Step 5: Add More Water

After the bloom, pour in the remaining water until you reach around 200 grams in total.
Stir the coffee gently for about 10 seconds to ensure even extraction.

Step 6: Attach the Filter Cap

Secure the filter cap to the top of the Aeropress, being careful not to spill the liquid.

Step 7: Flip and Press

After about 1:30 to 2:00 minutes of steeping, carefully flip the Aeropress onto your cup or mug.
Slowly press the plunger down, applying even pressure until you hear a hissing sound, which means all the liquid has been extracted.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Congratulations—you’ve just brewed a cup of coffee like a champion! Take a moment to savor the flavors in your cup.

Tuning Your Brew Like a Pro

One of the beauties of the Aeropress is its flexibility. You can tweak your recipe to match your taste or experiment with different brewing methods, just like the baristas at the WAC do. Here are a few variables you can play with to adjust the flavor profile of your brew:

- Grind size: A finer grind will extract more quickly and produce a stronger, more intense flavor, while a coarser grind will give you a lighter, more delicate cup.
- Water temperature: Hotter water will extract more bitterness and body, while slightly cooler water can bring out brighter, more nuanced flavors.
- Brew time: Longer steeping times can intensify the flavor, but too long can lead to over-extraction and bitterness. Aim for a total brew time of 2-3 minutes to start, then adjust to taste.

Conclusion: Brew Like a Champion

Whether you’re competing in the World Aeropress Championship or simply brewing your morning coffee at home, the Aeropress offers endless possibilities to perfect your cup. Its reputation as a tool for both champions and casual brewers alike is well-earned, and with a bit of practice, you too can brew coffee that rivals the best in the world.

So, as the baristas in Lisbon compete for the title of Aeropress champion, why not join them in spirit? Purchase an Aeropress from our online store along with a bag of our expertly roasted specialty coffee, experiment with your brewing technique, and discover your own award-winning cup of coffee.

Who knows—you might just have what it takes to brew like a champion!