Upfront disclosure – I use an original Aeropress coffee maker to process my cold brew! I find it very quick and convenient to use, and the post-brew cleaning is minimal.
The Aeropress is a hand-powered brewing device that is immensely popular among coffee enthusiasts worldwide. It was invented by Alan Adler, an American engineer and coffee aficionado, in the early 2000s. Adler, a professor at Stanford University, was a coffee lover who was dissatisfied with the quality of coffee he could produce using traditional brewing methods. He wanted to create a device that would allow him to extract the perfect cup of coffee, with a smooth, full-bodied flavour and a rich crema.
Adler spent several years experimenting with various designs and prototypes, testing different materials, shapes, and brewing techniques, drawing inspiration from the French press, espresso, and vacuum brewers, as well as his own experiences as an engineer and coffee connoisseur. The result was the Aeropress, a unique brewing device that combines the best features of different brewing methods.
The Aeropress has become incredibly popular among coffee enthusiasts for several reasons:
- Ease of use: The Aeropress is incredibly easy to use, even for those who are new to coffee brewing. Simply add coffee grounds, hot water, and stir – the device does the rest.
- Consistency: The Aeropress produces a consistently high-quality cup of coffee, with a smooth, full-bodied flavor and a rich crema.
- Flexibility: The Aeropress can be used to brew a wide range of coffee drinks, from strong espresso-style shots to milder, more nuanced cups.
- Cleanliness: The Aeropress is easy to clean and maintain, making it a hygienic and low-maintenance brewing option.
- Portability: The Aeropress is lightweight and compact, making it perfect for travel or camping.
- Cost-effective: The Aeropress is a relatively affordable brewing device, especially compared to high-end espresso machines.
- Community: The Aeropress has a dedicated community of enthusiasts who share recipes, techniques, and tips online, making it easy to learn and improve your brewing skills.
How to make cold brew using the Aeropress
There are plenty of videos on YouTube that will show you how to make coffee using an Aeropress. The Aeropress website also has good detailed instructions on how to use the device.
When making cold brew coffee, I add a couple of very simple tweaks to the process:
- Insert plunger into the device as per normal, but only push in for one centimetre.
- Turn unit upside down. Tip in your freshly ground beans (for bean quantity, please check out my article on How to Make Cold Brew), add water to just below the top, where you can safely stir the water and grounds with no spillage.
- Screw on the filter lid with paper inserted (hint: ALWAYS rinse your filter paper in water first!).
- Leave the device in the refrigerator overnight (ideal is 12-24 hours, but experiment). Note that the longer it steeps, the stronger the coffee will be.
- Pull out when you need to serve the cold brew. Tip right-side up over your cup and press down to process the brew out of the unit as per normal use.
- Depending on the strength you have brewed, you may need to add water to dilute. Add ice for an extra cold kick on a hot day!
- Try adding a squeeze of citrus, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to give your cold brew a unique twist.
Please note that I have seen some pictures online of coffee (apparently) made with an Aeropress that has a crema. I haven’t seen anything resembling a crema on any of my efforts and I suspect this may be artistic licence (or ai!). If you want crema, don’t use an Aeropress!
I like the Aeropress for my cold brew because it is a simple and intuitive brewing device that requires minimal effort and cleanup. You have control over brewing time and quantity of beans and adjust to suit your taste preferences.
Aeropress cold brew is comes out smooth and full-bodied with little bitterness or acidity. It really allows the character of the beans to shine.
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