There are many ways to brew coffee, each with its own pros and cons. Today we are going to focus on the AeroPress.
This device may not look the most rustic and artisan, but the coffee it brews more than makes up for this.
You will get much more back in coffee flavor if you spend the time to learn about this device. It is worth investing your time.
When using your AeroPress, the most important factor is using coffee that is ground to an appropriate size.
What is an appropriate grind size? What should I use for the AeroPress?
To get the perfect grind for your coffee, you should look for a grind that is similar to table salt. It should be finer than the grind you would use for drip coffee, but not as fine as the grind you would use for espresso.
The grounds will be made up of particles that are 1/16” to 1/32” (1.6 mm to 0.8mm) in diameter.
Best grind size for AeroPress
The most important thing you can do to make a great cup of coffee is to use the right grind size. If the grind is too fine, the coffee will be bitter and over-extracted.
Sanjee Thomas, a barista and coffee enthusiast, offers the following advice: If you go for a coarser grind than you need, your coffee will be thin, under-extracted, and taste a bit like dirty dishwater.
A medium-fine grind, similar to the consistency of table salt, is the best grind size for AeroPress coffee.
To get the perfect grind for pour-over coffee, you’ll want something that is midway between an espresso grind and a drip coffee grind – not too fine and not too coarse.
The grounds will be composed of particles that are between 1/16” and 1/32” (1.6 mm to 0.8mm) in diameter.
How does grind size affect coffee extraction
The grind size table below correlates to extraction percentage. The main component that determines the extraction of your coffee is the grind size. The grind size is defined as the process of dissolving flavors from coffee grounds in water. The grind size table below correlates to the extraction percentage.
You can’t make a great tasting cup of coffee without using the correct coffee to water ratio, the correct temperature, the correct brew time, and a precise grind.
If you use the wrong grind size, you will either under-extract or over-extract.
Under-extraction happens when the grinds are too coarse.
If your coffee tastes sour, acidic, and salty, you should use a finer grind the next time you brew in order to balance the intense flavors better.
When the grounds are too fine, the coffee tastes dull and bitter with muted flavors and no distinct features. This is because the coffee is over-extracted.
What you want is a balance of all the flavors in the coffee so that you can taste the sweetness, acidity, and roundness. That’s the perfect combination!
There are four main types of coffee grinds: extra-coarse, coarse, medium, and fine. The grind you choose will depend on the brewing method you’re using. Coarse grinds are best for French presses, while fine grinds are best for espresso machines. Medium grinds can be used for both.
Coarse, medium coarse or extra course
Coarsely ground coffee beans resemble kosher sea salt and are the ideal grind size to use in a French press or percolator.
Extra-coarse grounds tend to be larger, and these coffee particles are mainly used for making cold brew coffee beverages.
The medium-coarse coffee grounds are similar in size to rough sand and work best with a Chemex, Clever dripper, or Kalita style coffee maker that has a flat bottom filter.
Medium
The grind size for drip coffee brewing is usually medium, and your favorite coffee shops probably use grounds that are the size of table salt to brew the coffee you get every day.
Fine, medium fine or extra fine
A grind that is fine looks like powdered sugar and is used for brewing espresso, a Moka pot (which can also work well with other sized grounds), or an AeroPress.
A grind size that is medium-fine is great to use with cone-shaped filters, like the Hario v60. An extra-fine grind is similar to flour and is mostly used when making Turkish coffee.
Tweaking the perfect coffee grind size
If you want to make great coffee, you need to learn how to grind your coffee beans to the perfect size. It’s not difficult, but it does take a bit of practice. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make all kinds of delicious coffee drinks.
The grind size of your coffee beans needs to be adjusted depending on your brew method, and can also be affected by switching to different types of coffee beans. If you use a metal filter instead of a paper filter, or vice versa, you may also need to make some changes.
The perfect AeroPress grind can be found through trial and error.
If you find that you’re having to press down hard on the coffee grounds and the coffee is coming out slowly and thick, then your grind setting is probably too fine. Next time, choose a coarser grind setting and see how it feels.
If the plunger is easy to press down and the coffee is watery and thin, then you’ve used a very coarse grind. Choose a finer grind next time and see how it feels.
You will eventually become familiar with the amount of pressure that should be used for different grind sizes in order to make excellent coffee each time.
Burr grinders vs Blade grinders
Two other factors that weigh in when choosing the best grind size are the coarseness of the grind and the brewing time. It’s important to choose a grind size that is appropriate for the coffee grinder you are using, as this will ensure you get an evenly ground coffee. The coarseness of the grind and the brewing time are also factors to consider when choosing the best grind size.
The only way to achieve a consistent grind with coffee beans is to use a burr grinder. Burr grinders have interlocking burrs that grind the beans up evenly. You can adjust the distance between the burrs to change the coarseness of the grind.
Blade grinders are much cheaper to purchase, but function similarly to a food processor where a rotating blade roughly chops the beans into different sized pieces.
If you use one of these grinders, the coffee beans will not be extracted properly. In addition, the blades on these grinders get hot as they turn, so they could end up burning the beans before you even start brewing.
Burr grinders operate more slowly than blade grinders, resulting in a cooler grind that maintains the beans’ natural flavors and oils.
Whole bean vs Pre-ground coffee
The freshest and most delicious coffee comes from whole coffee beans. Ground coffee beans start to lose flavor and aroma immediately.
The freshest flavors will be achieved with each batch of coffee if whole beans are bought and only the amount needed is ground.
It is best to get your beans from local roasters for the best coffee experience.
Water temperature
This results in a sour and astringent cup of coffee. One of the most important things to consider when making coffee is the temperature of the water. If the water is too cold, the coffee will be weak and under-extracted, resulting in a sour, astringent cup.
You will need to use water that is at the ideal temperature range so that the coffee does not taste bitter and burnt.
The ideal range for a balanced, flavorful extraction is 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit, or 90-96 degrees Celsius.
To achieve this temperature, you can use a kettle with a built-in thermometer or any kitchen thermometer.
If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the kettle and let it sit for a minute. This will allow the water to cool to the ideal temperature.
Brewing methods and their sizes
Cold brew
If you prefer your coffee cold, you probably know that the cold brew coffee making process doesn’t involve using hot water. The coffee is instead steeped at room temperature, which allows all of its complex flavors to come out. Of course, this only works if you’re using the right grind.
If the ground beans you use are the wrong size, the coffee you end up with will be terrible. If you pour 12 to 24 hours into this popular brewing method and don’t get the results you want, it will be a waste of time.
We recommend using an extra-coarse grind for this method.
The grind size for your cold brew coffee beans depends on the steeping time. A longer steeping time will require a coarser grind, while a shorter steeping time will need a finer grind. Experiment to find what works best for you.
French press
If you’re a fan of French press coffee, we recommend using coarse coffee grinds. If your coffee grounds are too fine, your resulting brew will be bitter, muddy, and over-extracted.
If it’s getting difficult, it’s time to give your coffee a stir The rule of thumb for French press fans is to pay attention to how hard it is to push the plunger down. If it’s getting difficult, it’s time to give your coffee a stir.
If it is difficult to press the coffee and there is a lot of pressure, the coffee grounds are too fine. If pressing the coffee feels easy, the beans are too coarse.
Pour over
Chemex
The Chemex coffee maker brews coffee using a medium-coarse ground, thanks to its thick filter. The filter prevents the coffee from draining too quickly, and the medium-coarse coffee beans prevent over-extraction.
Hario V60
— Hario v60 paper filters are thinner than average, and the dripping cone is relatively large. As a result, you’ll need to use medium-grade coffee grounds to brew a good cup of coffee.
If you don’t like the taste of your coffee, try adjusting the grind settings and using finer grounds.
AeroPress
The Aeropress is UNIQUE because it does not require an ideal grind size to work.
You will need to change the settings on your conical burr grinder depending on how long you will be brewing.
If you grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse size, you can brew the coffee for three to four minutes. If you grind the beans to a finer size, one minute is enough time.
A common grind size for Aeropress coffee makers is medium, so if you want to experiment with grind sizes and extraction times, that’s a good place to start.
Espresso
The best grind size for espresso is extra fine, using coffee that is very finely ground, like powdered sugar.
If the grind size is incorrect, the high temperatures and pressure used to brew dark, concentrated coffee will result in a ruined cup.
Extra fine coffee is the best way to preserve your java’s aroma. The hot water only needs a few seconds to make the most of the flavor.
If you use coarse ground coffee in your espresso machine, the coffee will brew too quickly and you will not get the full flavor from the coffee beans.
If you grind the coffee beans too finely, your drink will be too bitter and taste burnt.
Coffee grinders 101
While pre-ground coffee beans can still produce a Cup, it will not be as good as if it was freshly ground.
There are a few things you should keep in mind before purchasing a grinder, such as the grind settings.
Be careful when choosing a coffee grinder because not all of them are good quality.
What coffee grinder will work best for you and offer the best value for money? Let’s figure it out.
Blade grinder
Blade coffee grinders are affordable, small, and easy to use, so they are tempting to many people.
There are better options out there for grinding coffee beans, even if they are more expensive.
This type of grinder uses metal blades that rotate at high speed to chop the coffee beans. The resulting grind is usually inconsistent and can be quite messy.
This means that some of the coffee will be ground too finely, while the rest will be ground too coarsely. This is not good for brewing, as you will be drinking a combination of coffee that is over- and under-extracted.
In addition, blade grinders create unwanted heat and friction as they work, making the coffee taste overcooked and burnt, even if your beans were fresh to begin with.
However, a burr grinder is a much better option than a blade grinder because it results in more consistent grounds and less of a chance for burnt tasting beans.
Final thoughts
The AeroPress is a great coffee brewing tool to use at home, at work, or when you’re traveling. It makes delicious, rich coffee quickly and easily.
In order to make the perfect cup of coffee, you will need to grind the beans to a medium-fine size. The specific settings will depend on what type of coffee you are using, as well as the grinder that you are using. There are other factors that come into play when making coffee, so be sure to experiment until you find the perfect recipe.
If you are new to making coffee, or are a experienced barista, the AeroPress is a good choice for you. This article has explained why the AeroPress is a good choice, and how to use it.