Yeah, I got a bit carried away. They say there's nothing like a reformed smoker. "Put that thing out, fool -- what the heck d'ya think you're doing? I'll kick your . . . " Dittos for reformed drinkers of flavored coffees, I fear. We can't stand to see anyone else still pulling sips on that cup of death.
rasqual Senior Member Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 970 Location: Chicago area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: *$ Barista, non-pressurized Grinder: SMP, KAP Vac Pot: Aeropress Drip: Porcelain Melitta 103 Roaster: "ring roaster", mod popper
Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006, 9:44am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
steve771 Said:
I don't see much, if any, discussion of how flavored coffees react in the Aeropress. Since these are normally a lighter roast, do they not work so well? I think someone mentioned the freshness factor in coffee that is ground, but I didn't see an answer. If you grind the coffee at the supermarket, what is a reasonable shelf life?
First, I'm sorry if my remarks in the thread offended in any way. Like Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, I tend toward "all mirth and no matter." ;-)
Alan's answer was pretty sound.
I don't know if this is your case, but I suspect there are some coffee lovers out there who can't afford burr grinders but would like to use an Aero. This hasn't come up yet in the thread, formally, and I think this is a good question for Alan -- "What of people who have whirlies that work great for a pourover drip with the benefits of full immersion, but whose same whirlies, taken to a grind level one might think appropriate for an Aero press, would betray them into hopeless cloggage and woe?"
In short, Alan, is it not true that for the Aero, as for a conventional espresso machine, the consistency of the grind matters?
Now I'll acknowledge that a whirly could be used provided one didn't take it too fine. But then the advantages of the Aero are somewhat compromised, I think.
Will the Aero find it's highest praises from those who at least have burr grinders?
EricSilver Senior Member Joined: 5 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 Location: Cheshire, CT Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Estro Profi Grinder: solis maestro plus Drip: Starbucks Barista Grand...
Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006, 8:47pm Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
I just got my Aeropress this Monday and have used it half a dozen times. Here are the comments: the coffee is rich and smooth, without a trace of bitterness. I've experimented with the temperature, and prefer a higher temperature than the one recommended by the company. (and since my wife adds cream, we definitely want the higher temperature to avoid a lukewarm cup of coffee.) Americano: rich, flavorful, satisfying. Coffee used: CounterCulture La Tacita Guatemalan, ground for drip grind. Espresso: not really. What you get is a shot of so-called espresso, decent, but lacking in complexity, and no crema to speak of. (Paradise Roasters espresso, ground at espresso grind.) I drink several shots of espresso daily, and still prefer my pump machine. I trained on a Pavoni, and can use a lever machine quite well, but I don't think I could generate enough pressure on the Aeropress to produce an authentic crema with the complexity of the real thing. Best thing about it: Quick. 30 seconds from start to finish for a very satisfying cup of coffee, and cleanup is simplicity itself. Great in the morning, because the water heats while the coffee is grinding, and in under a minute I've got 2 cups of piping hot, excellent coffee for my wife and myself. By the way, the company says that the filters can be cleaned and reused several times, and I've done so, without any problems at all. all in all, a good investment. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a flavorful, satisfying cup of coffee.
rasqual Senior Member Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 970 Location: Chicago area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: *$ Barista, non-pressurized Grinder: SMP, KAP Vac Pot: Aeropress Drip: Porcelain Melitta 103 Roaster: "ring roaster", mod popper
Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006, 9:19pm Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Just out of curiousity -- do you find that it has more complexity than a FP brew? About the same? Apples and oranges?
For my part, I think an FP is the best reference point for comparison. I'd be interested whether anyone thought otherwise.
I personally think the Aero brings out more complexity than an FP, but perhaps the sediment in an FP -- what IMO is mistakenly called "body" by some who defend FP's suspended fines -- masks complexity that would otherwise be evident. I dunno.
Whitey Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: CSA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Feb 16, 2006, 8:51am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Greetings All,
I have been following the threads on the Aeropress and I have a question for Alan. If it has been asked previously then excuse the repetition. I have had my Aeropress for a short time and I am experimenting with the water temp to produce the coffee that I like. Alan, my question is this: When making a cup of Americano and adding water to the espresso, is there any negatives to adding water hotter than 175 F? The coffee has been extracted at your recommended temperature of 175 F but use the added water to bring the cup temperature on up to where you like it?
I have enjoyed reading and appreciate all of your technical input!
Posted Thu Feb 16, 2006, 10:32am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Hello Whitey,
I don't know the answer to your question. It's quite possibly so.
I think it's feasible that adding very hot water would drive off some of the aromatics in the cup. It is a well established fact that aroma contributes to the taste sensation.
Would you be willing to experiment with this and report back to us?
If it turns out to be a problem, the fix would be to use a pre-heated cup.
For folks who find it simplest to boil their water, the following works.
If you heat water in the micro:
Boil the water in the micro, using the mug you plan to drink from.
Wait a minute, then pour some of that hot water into the plunger up to the "2". Let it sit another minute to further cool. Meanwhile, the remaining water in the mug is cooling too.
AeroPress a double into the partially filled mug using the water in the plunger.
If you heat with a kettle:
Pour the boiling water into your mug and leave it about a minute to heat the mug and cool the water.
Pour some of the water from the mug into the plunger up to the "2" and wait another minute.
AeroPress a double into the partially filled mug using the water in the plunger.
Perhaps you've noticed that the flange at the top of the plunger creates a drip-free pouring lip. It allows you to pour water slowly into the bed of coffee without water running down the side of your "pourer". If you try pouring slowly from an ordinary cup you'll see the difference.
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