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Always heard good things said about Aeropress’s so have bought one but what coffee to use and where from?
Maybe a good strong blend for first thing in the mornings and a milder blend for the rest of the day? Any suggestions? Cheers.
Any coffee will work, just start in the supermarket and work up until you are happy.
But the key thing with an Aeropress is using a fine grind, especially if you are making just one cup. Lavazza ground stuff that comes in vacuum packed brick is ground quite finely, otherwise buy beans and get a burr grinder.
Make sure it's a fine/espresso grind.
Hate to say it as it sounds very smug/STW, but I use a local coffee and grind it myself. However, I have also enjoyed Lavazza Caffè Espresso in it too.
I use Waitrose own brand - their 'Waitrose 1' stuff - for work, and I get 1KG bags of Boston Tea Party (Extract Roasters) beans for home.
Both produce more than acceptable coffee. I would say not an espresso grind as it can over pressure the press.
I just use Lavazza of illy in mine. Whichever is on special.
Love my Aeropress. I have 3 now. One at home, one at work and one that lives in the camper. Even after I was warned this would happen, I still managed to justify the multiple purchases. Anything else is just buggering about.
But the key thing with an Aeropress is using a fine grind, especially if you are making just one cup. Lavazza ground stuff that comes in vacuum packed brick is ground quite finely.
We have also settled on Lavazza - having an espresso grind is key and we are liking what we get out of the Lavazza packets.
Make sure it’s a fine/espresso grind
In case you missed it the first, second and third time around 😉
Make sure it’s a fine/espresso grindIn case you missed it the first, second and third time around
Hmm, each to their own but IME too fine a grind can mean that the plunger becomes hard to depress. Somewhere between an espresso and filter grind works for me - I think we put our grinder on about 1/3 of the dial from fine to coarse.
jakester +1. I favour a slightly coarser grind than espresso. about 3-4/12 on the grinder settings.
I've been happiest with freshly roasted coffee rather than supermarkets. Don't know why it tastes better but it does to me.
I like Hasbean, Small Batch (local to me) and Edgcumbes (even more local to me) best. Tried Pact but didn't like their coffee that much.
Happy Donkey coffee is my daily "mug" via Aeropress and tends to be cheaper than the rest at £3 per 250g. Their Italian coffee is rustic, I prefer the 100% arabica.
jakester +1. I favour a slightly coarser grind than espresso. about 3-4/12 on the grinder settings.
All good for grinding your own but buying ready ground then espresso, that said some sell aeropress ground.
Lavazza here too. Red or green (decaf).
The decaf is really nice iMO
I'd also get a metal filter to try as the coffee tastes a bit different than using the paper ones, I prefer it personally, a bit more oomph! But it's strokes for folks.
I've been meaning to ask this for ages, why does my Aeropress sometimes leak out the sides and down the side of the mug when I'm pressing?
Had assumed I had little bits of coffee between the plastic cap and the main body of the press but I don't, also thought I just wasn't tightening it enough but it's as tight as it goes.
No biggy, just impacts my efficiency in the office as I waste 5 seconds or so mopping up...
the holes in the filter cap are slotted up the sides a bit so under pressure it can squirt out sideways. Dont push so hard or use a wider mug so that the squirts can fall down below the rim.
Gotcha, although not sure if it would be possible to squeeze less hard, I'm barely moving the bloody plunger as it is! Maybe need to look at coarser blend coffee...
There are some great small companies roasting coffee now and the freshness is definitely clear when tasting it. Extract coffee near Bristol and Coaltown in South Wales are my favourites. As above as long as reasonably finely ground it'll work then just try some until you find what you like.
why does my Aeropress sometimes leak out the sides and down the side of the mug when I’m pressing
Because you have been listening to everyone telling you to use espresso grind.
I favour a slightly coarser grind than espresso. about 3-4/12 on the grinder settings.
I experimented when I first got it. Maybe it's time to experiment again.
(And it's always good to do the occasional bit of experimenting)
Because you have been listening to everyone telling you to use espresso grind.
😆
At the risk of being flaimed and never having owned or used an Aeropress, what's the difference between coffee from a cafetiere and one from an Aeropress; assuming you use the same beans?
I have been using Union Coffee and have been really pleased. It's not cheap at 5.25 to 7 pounds a bag but it is well worth it. Happy to buy Aldi or anyone elses but Union is noticably better in taste quality and variety. As I get 10 coffees per bag it is still a bargain.
I am also using a metal filter which works fine.
Dogsby
Cafetiere makes stew
Aeropress makes consomme
At the risk of being flaimed and never having owned or used an Aeropress, what’s the difference between coffee from a cafetiere and one from an Aeropress; assuming you use the same beans?
Tastes slightly different. It's extracted slightly under pressure - not sure if that matters or not but whatever, it does taste a bit different. Aeropress is stronger but more mellow than espresso.
Aeropress is a piece of piss to use and arguably a bit better. Plus it’s cool.
what’s the difference between coffee from a cafetiere and one from an Aeropress
To me the big differences are a better filter so less bits/sludge in my mug and far easier clean up
Aeropress is so much cleaner. No scooping out spoonfuls of coffee grounds afterwards. Just a coffee puck!
Well, thanks for all the replies folks, that’s given me some idea of what I’m looking for, just so many to try😊
Too fine is no good. It's not espresso.
Paper filters too. The metal ones aren't good enough and you'll end up throwing it away accidentally anyways.
My friend uses stuff from here. You may need to work on your neck tan for the full appreciation
https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/collections/coffee
I like the metal filter, it always separates from the puck if you pull the plunger back a touch first. Then just rinse with the rest of it and it's ready for next time. Various italian/espresso type beans here. I also tend to get a spot of leakage round the side but don't really care, just make sure the mug is on a dishcloth or drainage board etc.
what metal filter ar eyou using aphex?
the mesh ones are a bit crap, but the drilled steel plate I find works very well and if you slide it off the face of the puck it comes away clean and you then just de-puck into the compost.
You mention blends, if you're after the 'best' coffee as per title then I'd advise to steer clear of blends and try some single origins. Think of it like a blended or single malt whisky. Buy some coffees from some coffee roasters, and try different continents and then countries, and see which you tend to like. After you can experiment with different styles of processing but then you do become a right coffee ponce.
If if you don't have a grinder some roasters will grind for an aeropress. Some of the real high end only sell whole bean to provide the highest quality flavour and freshness, and assuming paying £15 per 250g coffee you have at least a £30 hand grinder.
Start off with someone like has bean or maybe round hill/workshop/small batch. They all probably offer it ground.
p.s it definitely doesn't beed to be as fine as an espresso!
https://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/africa/products/kenya-karogoto-washed-ab
Kenyan washed, clean crisp fruity.
https://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/america/products/bolivia-don-carlos-washed-caturra
South American - Bolivia, washed - chocolatey, maybe more body, possibly darker. Caramelly? Pebbles in the rain!
£7.50 per 250g is very reaonable, incase you don't like them. Nice to try other roasters as you go too.
I use https://www.e-coffee.co.uk
They're called Roberts and Co and have been in the tea and coffee business since the 19th century, they're based where I'm originally from in Lancashire, they've been roasting coffee for decades, single origin beans are priced from around £14 to £17 per kilo with £3 postage, coffee is as excellent as their prices.
I wholly recommend getting a subscription from the likes of hasbean, regular freshly roasted coffee to your doorstep. It a great way to try lots of different coffees with minimal fuss. They will also grind to your preference if that's what you require, some places don't.
Once you taste fresh coffee, supermarket coffee just doesnt compare.
ps. Rogan Josh, I've just got that kenya karogoto through the letterbox this morning, sounds lovely.
Single origin coffee is good for learning about taste and geography but it won't necessarily make a cup you prefer. Don't worry too much about it or you risk disappearing up your own arse.