How to Brew Coffee with an AeroPress

The AeroPress has become a favourite with coffee lovers thanks to its versatility, simplicity and ability to brew an exceptionally clean, full-flavoured cup.

Whether you're at home, in the office or out exploring, it's a brilliant way to bring out the unique character of your coffee. By making a few small adjustments to your recipe, you can experiment with different flavour profiles until you find the cup that's just right for you.

Below are two of our favourite AeroPress methods – the classic brew and the inverted method.

You'll need (For both recipes):

• Medium ground Cafédirect coffee (about the texture of sea salt)
• 2 heaped dessert spoonfuls (approximately 17g)
• AeroPress paper filter
• Fresh water heated to 92–96°C (filtered water, if possible)
• AeroPress paddle or spoon
• Scales
• Timer
• Mug or server

1. Place a clean paper filter into the filter cap and attach it to the AeroPress. Sit the AeroPress over your mug or server and rinse the filter with hot water.
2. Add the ground coffee to the brewing chamber.
3. Place the AeroPress on your scales and reset them to zero.
4. Start your timer and pour 50ml of water (up to the number 1 mark), making sure all of the coffee is saturated. Freshly roasted coffee will naturally bloom as gases are released. Give the coffee a gentle stir.
5. After 30 seconds, pour up to the number 4 mark (250ml total) and leave to brew for 1 minute.
6. At 1 minute 30 seconds, press the plunger slowly over around 30 seconds.
7. Stop pressing when you hear the gentle hissing sound, then enjoy.

The inverted method gives the coffee a slightly longer immersion time, creating a richer body and allowing you even more control over extraction.

1. Rinse a clean paper filter and attach it to the filter cap.
2. Insert the plunger about 1cm into the AeroPress chamber and stand it upside down on your scales.
3. Add the ground coffee.
4. Reset your scales and start your timer.
5. Pour 30ml of hot water over the coffee and stir until all the grounds are wet.
6. After 30 seconds, add a further 200ml of water and leave to brew for 1 minute.
7. At 1 minute 30 seconds, stir three times.
8. Attach the filter cap, carefully place your mug upside down over the AeroPress and, holding both securely, flip everything over.
9. Press slowly and steadily until you hear the hissing sound, then serve.

• Use freshly ground coffee whenever possible for the fullest flavour.
• Water that's just off the boil (92–96°C) helps create a balanced extraction.
• Press gently – forcing the plunger too quickly can lead to bitterness.
• Try different Cafédirect single origin coffees to discover how each origin shines through the AeroPress. This method is particularly good at highlighting the bright, distinctive flavours created by different growing regions.