For many people, coffee is as much a part of the day as an elixir of life. But since there is often no room or not enough power in the camper for a coffee machine, coffee on the road has to be made another way. Of the various ways to make coffee without electricity, we want to introduce you to one that combines different brewing methods for a particularly aromatic taste. That is why this small, light brewer has become indispensable in the international coffee scene and its championships. Perfect for us, because the AeroPress is simply perfect for life on the road.
What Is the AeroPress
The manual coffee maker mainly consists of a cylinder with a plunger and a filter holder. It comes as a set with accessories such as a stirring paddle and a funnel for filling ground coffee cleanly into the cylinder, along with the measuring scoop that is also included.
Traditionally, small paper filters are used in the AeroPress. Resourceful manufacturers have jumped on the AeroPress bandwagon and also offer reusable metal filters for it. AeroPress itself, however, only makes paper filters, as they supposedly deliver a better coffee result.
Why Everyone Likes Coffee from the AeroPress
It all began with an engineering lecturer at Stanford University who wanted to reduce the acid and bitter content in his coffee. Alan Adler experimented with various preparation methods such as classic brewing, used espresso makers and ran tests with the French press. He noticed that none of these methods gave him full control over all the parameters, such as water temperature, brewing time and the grind of the coffee. There had to be another way.
Over time, he developed a small coffee maker that makes this possible. With the AeroPress, the taste of a coffee can be influenced so individually that anyone on the road can be their own barista and enjoy the hot drink they like best. From espresso to cold brew … no problem with the AeroPress.
Coffee from the AeroPress – Step-by-Step Instructions
Before we get into the step-by-step instructions, let us say that with the AeroPress there is no “one” recipe or preparation. Vary the steeping time, water temperature, amounts or grind size, dilute a concentrated coffee at the end, or enjoy it cold brewed …
This variant, however, gives you a coffee that pleases most taste buds, provided of course that you use good, fresh coffee beans or ground coffee.
- For the best coffee flavor: grind your coffee beans fresh. We recommend a fine to medium grind (about like fine table salt) and approx. 16 – 17 grams per cup.
- Put a filter in the filter holder. Some baristas, by the way, swear by pre-rinsing paper filters with hot water so that the taste of the paper doesn’t interfere with the full range of flavors in the coffee – now would be the right time for that.
- Let the water cool for a minute after boiling, because the ideal temperature for brewing coffee with the AeroPress is approx. 90° Celsius.
- Screw the filter holder onto the cylinder of the AeroPress and fill the ground coffee into the cylinder.
- Place the AeroPress on a coffee cup.
- Pour water onto the coffee until the AeroPress is about three-quarters full, let it steep for about a minute and stir so the coffee grounds distribute evenly.
- Either top up with water to fill the cylinder completely, or insert the plunger into the cylinder right away.
- Press the plunger down in the cylinder until the air cushion between plunger and coffee grounds is pushed out completely.
- If you like, top the coffee up with the rest of the water.
- Enjoy the best coffee on the road.
Using the AeroPress Upside Down – The Inverted Method
Many baristas use the AeroPress upside down. With the inverted method, the coffee maker is stood on its plunger and the ground coffee is filled into the cylinder. The filter holder goes on top as a “lid” only after the water has been poured in, and the AeroPress is quickly flipped over for pressing. The vacuum created and held by the seal on the plunger makes this possible without the coffee running straight out of the filter when you flip it.
Cleaning the AeroPress
When it comes to cleaning, another advantage of the electricity-free coffee maker shows for us on the road. Cleaning is extremely easy and needs only the tiniest bit of the fresh water you carry.
The grounds and the filter are simply pushed out of the cylinder with the plunger, and the AeroPress is already almost clean. A quick rinse with clear water is all the effort it takes.
The Perfect Companion
The AeroPress packs down super small and weighs only a few grams.
According to the manufacturer, the material used is certified free of plasticizer migration, and thanks to its long life it is a product that will bring you a lot of joy on your travels for years, simply through good coffee.
Want an AeroPress?
As your travel vehicle outfitter with the best equipment for the road, we naturally carry the AeroPress. Here you will find everything for the perfect enjoyment.
Like the tip for making coffee on the road? Show it to like-minded people too, who surely like to drink good coffee on their travels!
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