Until 2005, the Siphon pot held the title of most unique brew method for coffee. And then a guy who made ultimate frisbees decided to try his hand at making a cup of joe. Alan Adler, an American inventor and mechanical engineer, didn’t begin making the Aeropress as it is today. In an interview with David Friedman, Adler discussed his want for a single cup of coffee. Unfortunately, coffee drip makers such as a basic model Mr. Coffee were difficult to use for creating such a small amount. Adler, having roughly forty patents ranging from technology to aerodynamics, took up the task of making his own single-cup brewer.
Entering the website for Aerobie, one is greeted with two images. On the left, we see a young boy throwing one of the company’s iconic discs. On the right, we see a set of hands interacting with a peculiar device that reads “Aeropress” on the side of its body. Following the link, one finds that this device is the head competitor of “most unique brew” method to date. The reason I don’t just say ‘coffee’ brew method is because it can be equally useful for brewing tea as well as serving as a unique filter for other beverages (i.e. Cocktails).
Relying on the air pocket created between the plunger and the paper filter, the Aeropress mimics the movements of a syringe. After placing the filter down and adding in the coffee, pouring water into the cylinder creates the body of the brew. Setting the plunger at the top (standard) or the filter cover (inverted) and then plunging creates a pressurized layer of air. As with most things coffee related, there is a vast array of information available on adjustments to the method. While some of these may be more or less effective than the intended use, the actual directions offer a very specific type of coffee.
According to Aerobie (and Adler), the entire method should take as little as thirty-seconds or no more than a minute and twenty-seconds. They also do recommend pre-wetting the filter on the first use (but oddly are okay with reusing the paper filters?) and also to agitate vigorously for ten seconds before setting the plunger.
To be fair, I’m not great with following instructions; especially when it comes to IKEA furniture, baking instructions, and awesome toys like the Aeropress. So baristas like me? We laughed, we cried, then we did what every barista does when we get a new toy: we innovated. Adler’s inventiveness inspired people all over the world to take such a simple device and make coffee (and other liquid) gold. Every year, from 2008 in Oslo to a few months ago in Dublin, World Aeropress Championships have been held, and my how the competition has evolved.
At Tim Wendlebow’s Oslo coffeebar, the contest began very modestly, having few contestants and very little to base judging off for the device. Originally, and still to an extent now, contestants where asked to make the best cup of coffee. Three judges would point to one of two at a time, and a winner was crowned. Now, with over 2000 competitors worldwide, the championship has earned it’s own place next to brewer’s cups and world barista championships. On average, the main judging criteria remained the same: make the best cup of coffee with this frisbee-based syringe. But what started as a simplistic attempt at Adler’s recipe also changed: contestants altering the temperature, brewing an iced variation, even altering the type of filters.
Speaking of filters, there’s a huge market for Aeropressers (yeah, I made that up) now available compared to when Adler first released the press. Able still holds the definitive alternative to standard paper with their two Disk metal filters, both the standard and fine. The Disk is thin enough to allow the press to still function properly, yet allow more oil than the paper to enter the brew, add more body to the cup. They also created a scant few gold one-offs of the Disk, which were mostly done as gimmick to award winner’s of various coffee competitions. Some studies came out arguing the use of gold as a natural absorbent of oils, making it a good alternative to paper, yet the metal could tarnish quicker. There have also been a few companies that created a type of cloth disk filter to offer yet a third choice to brew with.
From a general home brewer’s standpoint, the Aeropress is a great brew method for everyday use. It’s also easy on clean-up (especially with paper filters). It opens up a variety of options without having to invest in more expensive machinery. It is in line for most useful travel methods, particularly when camping or backpacking and supply weight is an issue. Combining it with the Porlex mini-hand grinder, one can take their entire brew set up in a pouch the size of a dopp bag. While it definitely can make the process easier, a goose-necked kettle for pouring water is also not necessary with the Aeropress. Simple swirling the shaft during the infusion process can achieve both a complete wetting as well as agitation.
The aeropress may not be the last invention of the coffee world, but it certainly is one to be recognized; both on a commercial level for cafes as well as a unique home brewing method.
