AeroPress coffee is a great choice if you enjoy simple brewing combined with full control over the flavour of your cup. Coffee made with an AeroPress has a more intense taste than coffee brewed using a pour-over method. Thanks to its filter, the coffee comes out completely free of grounds, and the device itself is quick to clean.
The AeroPress lets you create different sensory effects, depending partly on how finely the beans are ground. It combines immersion brewing with gentle plunger pressure, so you can prepare a clean, aromatic coffee in just a few minutes — no grounds, no complicated equipment. It's a method loved equally by home coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas competing at the World AeroPress Championship.
Table of contents:
- What is AeroPress coffee and how do you use this brewer?
- Device construction
- How it works
- What's the best coffee for AeroPress?
- Origin
- Frequently asked questions about AeroPress coffee
What is AeroPress coffee and how do you use this brewer?
AeroPress coffee is brewed using a device that looks like a large syringe, usually made from lightweight, durable polycarbonate. You'll find beans suited to this brewing method in our roastery's online shop, JAVA Coffee. AeroPress is an extremely versatile brewer that lets you prepare many different styles of coffee. Freshly ground beans work best here, guaranteeing a strong aroma and bold flavour. Coffee usually reaches its peak flavour about a week after roasting, so it's best ground right before brewing.
Did you know? The AeroPress was designed by Alan Adler, a mechanical engineering lecturer at Stanford, in 2005. He's the same inventor behind the Aerobie flying ring — which set a Guinness World Record as the farthest object ever thrown by hand, at over 406 metres.
Device construction
The AeroPress is a compact, easy-to-use device that lets you brew an aromatic cup quickly at home. Because it's made from polycarbonate, it's lightweight and resistant to damage, and it's fully food-safe. The device has just a few basic parts: a plunger, a chamber, and a filter cap — in shape and function, it resembles a large syringe. Ground coffee is steeped in water, then pressed through a filter under gentle pressure, which removes grounds and sediment. The original kit comes with accessories that make brewing easier — a scoop, filters, a funnel, and a stirrer.
How it works
There's no single correct recipe for brewing your favourite coffee with any alternative method. The same coffee can be brewed well in many different ways, and "good coffee" means something slightly different to everyone. We recommend the inverted method (chamber facing up, plunger inserted from below), since it's more repeatable and easier to control.
- Measure your coffee and water. Use a ratio of 16–22g of coffee per 250–270ml of water. For other amounts, follow the ratio of 6g of coffee per 100ml of water.
- Set up the AeroPress using the inverted method. Turn the chamber so its opening faces up, and insert the plunger from below.
- Add the ground coffee to the chamber.
- Pour in the water and let it steep — the exact time depends on your recipe, grind size, and desired result.
- Wait about 120 seconds, counting from the moment you added the water.
- Stir the coffee — this makes the final cup even bolder and more intense.
- Flip the AeroPress onto your cup and gently press the plunger down until the coffee has been pushed through the filter.
This brewing method is exceptionally easy, and the AeroPress itself takes up very little space. You can easily bring it along when travelling and enjoy your favourite coffee wherever you are.
Alongside properly ground beans, our shop also stocks accessories useful for brewing — filters, grinders, and moka pots.
What's the best coffee for AeroPress?
The best coffee for AeroPress is one that meets the highest quality standards. Our light-roast coffees, 100% Arabica from the specialty segment, are a great fit here. They stand out for their rich flavour, largely thanks to noticeable acidity and characteristic floral-fruity aromas. It's worth experimenting with different coffees, grind sizes, and brewing temperatures to create unique sensory combinations and get to know your own taste preferences better.
Looking for specific examples: Flower Power is a specialty blend for pour-over methods, with a bold, fruity profile. Prefer something heavier, with rounder body? Mexico Nahua in its Omni Roast version works just as well in an AeroPress as in an espresso machine, giving a sweeter, more chocolatey profile. For something truly out of the ordinary, reach for the limited-edition Colombia La Molienda Pacamara, processed using the rare natural Thermal Shock method, with notes of tropical fruit, cardamom, and strawberry wine. AeroPress also handles decaf coffee beautifully — try the classic, sweet profile of Colombia Asomujer Decaf, or the more fruity, complex Ethiopia Bildimoo Bensa Bombe Decaf.
Origin
When choosing your coffee, it's also worth paying attention to where the beans come from — origin plays a big part in shaping the character of your cup.
African-grown varieties stand out for their refreshing acidity and citrus-floral notes — think Ethiopia Buncho, with aromas of lemon, orange, and jasmine, or Burundi Ninga, with a profile of blackcurrant and gooseberry.
South and Central American beans, on the other hand, bring a nutty, cocoa-like character — Venezuela Merida, with notes of walnut and pomelo, or Mexico Ozolotepec, combining orange, chamomile, and chocolate, are both great starting points if you prefer gentler acidity.
Did you know? Poland has its own local edition of the competition — the Polish AeroPress Championship, organised by cafelito.pl as part of the global event. Interestingly, Polish baristas have won the world title twice: Łukasz Jura in 2009 and Filip Kucharczyk in 2016.
Frequently asked questions about AeroPress coffee
What's the best grind size for AeroPress?
A medium to medium-fine grind works well — somewhere between drip and espresso grind. It's worth fine-tuning the exact size to your brew time and recipe as you experiment with different brews.
Does AeroPress coffee have to be light-roasted?
No, it doesn't. Light roasts bring out fruity and floral notes, but the AeroPress also handles medium and dark roasts well — the cup comes out more chocolatey and intense. The choice mainly comes down to your own taste preferences.
How much coffee do I need per cup?
The standard ratio is 16–22g of coffee per 250–270ml of water. If you're brewing a different amount, stick to a ratio of 6g of coffee per 100ml of water — this keeps the intensity consistent regardless of cup size.
Is AeroPress good for travel?
Yes — that's one of its biggest advantages. It's lightweight, compact, and resistant to damage, so it fits easily in your luggage, and brewing takes just a few minutes wherever you are.
Do I need a scale to brew with AeroPress?
A scale isn't essential, but it makes your brew much easier to repeat — it lets you measure your coffee-to-water ratio precisely instead of relying on a volume scoop. If you only brew occasionally, you can easily skip it and rely on the standard ratios instead.
Does AeroPress brew coffee as strong as espresso?
AeroPress can't reach the pressure of an espresso machine, so it won't replicate true espresso. It does produce a stronger, more concentrated cup than a classic pour-over, though, and works great as a base for milk-based drinks.
Browse our full range of AeroPress coffee — and if you have questions about specific beans or brewing methods, get in touch with us.
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