I love my Aeropress. I use it for brewing coffee every morning, and it has been a substitute for buying coffee. Recently a friend asked me, Does Aeropress make espresso?
I had to admit that it wasn't something I had thought about before, but I was curious to find out!
Here, I've researched everything about Aeropress espresso - from how to make the perfect mug and the recipe I've used, whether it is good espresso, how it compares to the flavors and tastes of regular espresso, and more!
Perfecting The Aeropress Espresso (Step-By-Step)
After researching and experimenting, I’ve finally found the perfect Aeropress espresso recipe! Here’s how you’ll get started with everything.
1. Get Your Fine Grind On!
Instead of the medium grind you'd typically use for a normal cup of coffee, you would need to put your hand grinder on the fine setting to ensure you have fine grounds to make espresso with an Aeropress.
Your grind size should be similar to that of the size of sugar and have a floury consistency.
It's tricky to achieve the right grind size, but it will come naturally after some practice.
Why is it important to have a grind fine enough for your Aeropress?
Well, if it's too fine, it will gush through, and if it's too coarse, it'll create a blockage as it won't be able to pass through - so achieving fine grounds is key!
2. Add Those Grounds To Your Aeropress
The next thing you'll need to do is to prep your Aeropress.
To start, place one of your paper filters into the filter cap before pouring a little warm water through it.
I find this to be an important step as it helps to get rid of any paper flavor taste!
Then, you'll want to unscrew the cap at the bottom of the Aeropress chamber before placing your coffee grounds in there.
3. Add Another Filter
With making espresso-style coffee in an Aeropress, you're going to need to add a metal filter. Here's why:
With the addition of this filter, you'll have an espresso that has a thick and viscous mouthfeel to it.
The filter should be placed on top of the ground coffee within the brew chamber.
Make sure that it's pressed within the bottom of your espresso tamper (we’ll talk about tamping a little more below).
4. Start Tamping
Once you’ve added the filter, it’s time to tamp - something you’ll need to do anyways when you make espresso.[1]
Barista HQ Note: Normal espresso tampers would be too small for the Aeropress, but most of those spice containers that you see in the stores would fit perfectly!
Once your second filter has been securely placed within the bottom of your tamper, go ahead and push the filter down onto the coffee grounds.
Then, go ahead and twist before pulling out the tamper. Make sure that you're leaving the second filter on top, as it will help keep your grounds undisturbed!
5. In Goes The Hot Water
Before adding the fresh water, it’s recommended to heat your cold water temperature to between 195°F - 205°F (90°C - 96°C) - make sure you use a thermometer for this!
I like to use my electric kettle that has different temperature settings.
The rule of thumb is coffee beans with darker roasts do better with lower temperatures, and lighter roasts work best with hotter temperatures.
Then, you'll want to add a small amount of water (about 55 grams should do the trick). Make sure you pour slowly!
6. Start Pressing
Now, here comes the fun part, it's time to start pressing!
Unlike your normal Aeropress brew method, you won't need to wait for the coffee grinds to steep when you're brewing espresso.
After the hot water has been placed, go ahead and place the brewing chamber on top of a sturdy mug and insert the Aeropress plunger.
Then, gently press, and you'll see your cup of espresso magically appear.
You might need to apply a bit more pressure than usual, but it shouldn't be that much pressure that everything spills everywhere.
7. Customize Your Espresso and Enjoy
Finally, once you've got your espresso shot, feel free to customize it to your liking.
You can have it on its own - which is pretty much how real espresso is traditionally served anyways. Or, you can stir in some flavor and even add frothed milk on top!
Getting To Know The History Of Espresso
Let's go way back to 1884 for this one. Up to that point, coffee was mainly made in a French Press or as a pour-over.
Angelo Moriondo patented a coffee brewer in that year that helped brew coffee quickly in large batches.
In 1901, Luigi Bezzera then designed a machine that rapidly made single-serving coffees. He partnered with Desiderio Pavoni to make this and eventually mass-made the machine in 1905.
While impressive, this particular gadget was heated by coal, and water temperature wasn't regulated then. It was also the steam that was doing the brewing - not hot water.[2]
In 1947, however, Achille Gaggia invented the system that allows hot water to pass through the brewing chamber.
Many coffee connoisseurs consider this to be the true espresso, as it was the first time that crema was produced.
What Exactly Is The Aeropress (Fantastic Or Fad?)
The Aeropress coffee maker was invented by Alan Adler and produces great coffee through both steeping and pressurized filtering.
It consists of two cylinders - one which acts as a plunger.
To use the Aeropress, you would:
- Place a paper filter into the filter cap at the end of the larger tube.
- You would then fill it with ground coffee and hot water before stirring the mixture and allowing it to steep.
- Then, you would use the plunger to force the liquid through the filter.
- To remove the coffee grounds, simply remove the filter cap, dispose and you’re good to go!
One of the great things about the Aeropress is its versatility; you can use it to brew espresso-style coffee drinks, regular coffee, and even cold brew.
I would say that the Aeropress coffee maker is easy to use, convenient, and great for those who are short on time and are making coffee in the morning before work.
Also, it's inexpensive in comparison to buying espresso machines and produces coffee that has a rich, delicious flavor.
Oh, did I mention that it's also portable? You can easily place it in a bag and take it with you when you're on the go. It's even great for camping!
Aeropress Espresso Vs Regular Espresso
While the Aeropress coffee maker can do plenty, Aeropress espresso can't really compare to what you'd get from an espresso machine.
There are a few reasons why this is the case with Aeropress vs espresso:
1. No crema
When you make espresso with an Aeropress, it doesn't produce crema. There is a way to make it, but it's not quite as straightforward as using an espresso machine.
Crema is formed during espresso extraction, and it's typically one of the most prized components of a well-made espresso.
2. Difference in taste
True espresso has a developed flavor that's almost like a perfume. Espresso with Aeropress, on the other hand, has a taste that's a tad more bitter and flat.
It's hard to replicate this with a manual espresso maker like the Aeropress as it doesn't generate the same pressure, and you can't exactly press the plunger to that amount of pressure.
The Aeropress can only produce about 0.35 to 0.75 bars of pressure, whereas highly concentrated true espresso would need about nine bars of pressure.
The high pressure is also what creates the crema and produces that rich flavor.
So, if you’re happy to have something that’s espresso-like, or rather in an espresso style, you can stick with the Aeropress espresso.
There are also plenty of Aeropress espresso recipes out there to try.
If you want the best cup of espresso, however, and not just a great cup, you'll need to invest in an espresso machine.
Common Aeropress Espresso Questions
What other types of coffee can I make with my Aeropress?
You can make different types of coffee in your Aeropress, from cold brew to a cappuccino, iced lattes, pour-over style coffee, and more.
Can the Aeropress make crema?
Yes, you can make crema with Aeropress, but it will take a considerable amount of effort and a lengthy process to ensure that you're using the correct amount of pressure.
How many scoops of espresso for AeroPress?
One scoop will make one espresso for Aeropress. You need 15 grams of espresso beans or coffee beans that are finely ground.
What is the perfect AeroPress ratio?
For the perfect Aeropress ratio, the original Aeropress recipe recommends 1 gram of coffee for every 6 grams of water in your beverage.
Conclusion
Does the Aeropress make espresso?
Yes, it does, but the Aeropress espresso recipe doesn't quite compare to what you'd get from an espresso machine, but even so, I'd still say that it's pretty good!
If you've yet to try it, I recommend giving it a shot to see what you think.
Either way, I still find that the Aeropress is fantastic for brewing a cup of coffee in the morning.
It's inexpensive, great at creating various coffee drinks that you can enjoy, and incredibly convenient.
References:
1. http://socraticcoffee.com/2015/07/the-impact-of-tamping-pressure-on-espresso-extraction/
2. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-long-history-of-the-espresso-machine-126012814/
