Somewhere on this site there is an interesting essay on all the different ways coffee has been made over its history. The writer concludes that we have by no means reached the final end, let alone the “best way”. The Aeropress may be the next step in coffee making. In the box is everything you need and very clear instructions on how to use it. The only caution I would suggest is that the filters are very thin, so be sure you have only one. They are reusable, BTW: I don’t know how many times, but in my experience at least 3. Cleanup is very easy – the coffee is ejected in a neat puck and a quick rinse looks after everything else. The pieces are made of strong plastic and look very sturdy and, short of taking a sledgehammer to it, there doesn’t seem to be anything breakable. Maybe, after years, the rubber plunger might go but, in this sinful world, nothing lasts for ever. I find that the Aeropress makes very good coffee indeed – very strong and very rich. I generally dilute it, in fact. The maximum amount of coffee it will make is 4 espresso-strength cups which, if diluted, give 8 or 9 cups. Many of the readers of this site will never give up their big machines. For them, however, the Aeropress is worth considering for travelling: it is very portable. I’m sure most of the readers of this site loathe the standard North American motel/hotel/restaurant coffee and an Aeropress means that you can avoid it. You don’t even need boiling water – the instructions emphasise that the water should be 80ºC. So, the real coffee geeks can buy one of these and use it while travelling. Others will find this one of the cheapest and easiest means of making small amounts of really good coffee. Far superior to the French press, IMO, (which I have never really liked) and much easier to clean up and pack and carry. Thus far I have been using my standard espresso coffee -- Lavazza Rossa -- it it works just fine. The website (http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm) explains everything.
Buying Experience
I heard about it in a blog, e-mailed the Canadian distributer; he told me where to get it; walked in; there it was. I was the first customer. Had a pleasant chat about it.
Three Month Followup
Still excellent -- use it every day for the first couple of cups of the day. IMO this is by far the cheapest way to make really good coffee.
