3 Brewing tips for AeroPress

The Aeropress has been a favorite among coffee enthusiasts around the world since it was launched over 20 years ago. Its simplicity and versatility make it one of the most beloved brewing methods on the market. But with countless recipes and methods available, it can be difficult to know what works best for you. In this guide, we present three practical and perhaps slightly unexpected tips to help you maximize the flavor of your Aeropress-brewing.

1. Press Slowly for cleaner flavors

One of the most common misconceptions About The Aeropress is that hard pressure gives a better result, especially About you are trying to recreate a espresso-like drink. But there is a downside to this: when you press hard, you push through colloids and undissolved particles that can make the coffee cloudy, rough, and bitter.

Why slow pressure works better

• Even filtration: The coffee bed acts as a natural filter. When you press slowly, only the most flavorful components are pressed through, resulting in a cleaner cup.
• Softer texture: A slow pressure produces a rounder and more balanced flavor profile, without the harshness that can occur with hard pressure.

Try it yourself

• Do an experiment: Try pressing one brew quickly (about 6 seconds) and another slowly (about 60 seconds). You will notice the difference in clarity and texture.

Results: A slow press produces a cup with clearer flavors, less bitterness and a smoother mouthfeel – perfect for those who appreciate subtle flavor notes.

2. Let the Coffee “Flower” for Better Extraction

“Blooming” involves pouring a small amount of water over the coffee and letting it sit for about 30–45 seconds before pouring in the rest of the water. This step helps saturate the coffee bed and release carbon dioxide, which improves extraction.

Why blooming is important

• Prevents underextraction: Without blooming, the water can flow too quickly through the bed, resulting in an underextracted coffee with a weak flavor.
• Better “for infusion”: When the coffee is evenly saturated, the water gets a chance to extract the most flavorful components.

How do you do it?

1. Pour 50–60 grams of hot water (approximately 90 °C) over the coffee bed.
2. Wait 30–45 seconds while the coffee absorbs the water.
3. Fill up to the desired amount of water and continue your brewing.

Tip: About If you use the inverted method, where the Aeropress is placed upside down, blooming may be less effective. However, for traditional Aeropress-brewing makes blooming a big difference.

3. Experiment with the coarseness of the grind

Many people associate the Aeropress with a fine grind, almost like espresso. But going too fine can lead to uneven extraction, harshness and a bitter aftertaste. Instead, a slightly coarser Grind provide a smoother flow and a more balanced flavor profile.

Advantages of coarser Grind

• Even flow: A rougher one Grind allows the water to flow evenly through the coffee bed, reducing the risk of channel formation.
• Less bitterness: With coarser Grind you avoid over-extraction of certain particles that contribute to harshness and bitterness.

How to find the right coarseness/fineness of the grind

1. Start with a rough one Grind than you would normally use for the Aeropress, perhaps similar to what you use for V60.
2. Test and gradually adjust towards a finer Grind until you find the perfect balance between sweetness, acidity and body.

Bonus: About if you use a really long brew time, like Jonathan Gagné's 10-minute method, it can be rougher Grind work even better because the immersion technique allows for even extraction without percolation.

Bonus: Play with the water temperature

Water temperature plays a crucial role in flavor development. For the Aeropress, it is often best to keep the temperature between 80–95°C, depending on roasting and personal preference:

• Light roasted coffee: Use 90–95 °C to bring out the coffee's acidity and aromas.
• Medium roast coffee: Stay around 85–90°C for a balanced flavor.
• Dark roasted coffee: Go down to 80–85 °C to reduce bitterness and highlight sweetness.

By experimenting with temperature, you can find the optimal way to highlight the unique characteristics of each coffee variety.

Summary:

By using these three tips – pressing slowly, letting the coffee bloom and experimenting with grind size – you can improve your Aeropress-brewing and enjoy a more balanced and flavorful cup of coffee. Remember that the Aeropress is incredibly versatile, and there is no “right” method – the most important thing is that you find a technique that works for you and your flavor preferences.

Give these tips a try and feel free to share your results in the comments! Regardless About Whether you prefer light roast, medium roast or dark roast coffee, there is always something new to discover with the Aeropress.

Do you have your own Aeropress-tip? Share in the comments! And don't forget to subscribe to our blog for more guides and tips About coffee brewing.