French Settlement Roasting Co Brewing Guide
AeroPress Coffee Brewing Guide
Learn how to brew smooth, rich coffee using an AeroPress. Discover the best grind size, coffee-to-water ratios, brewing techniques, and tips for getting exceptional coffee anywhere.
What Is an AeroPress?
The AeroPress is one of the most versatile coffee brewers available. It is popular with coffee lovers because it can brew smooth, rich coffee quickly with easy cleanup and very little equipment.
Unlike drip coffee or French Press, the AeroPress uses gentle pressure to push water through coffee grounds and a filter. The result is a clean, flavorful cup that can be adjusted stronger, lighter, smoother, or more concentrated depending on the recipe.
Smooth Coffee
AeroPress brewing can produce a clean cup with low bitterness and excellent balance.
Fast Brewing
Most AeroPress recipes take only 1–3 minutes from start to finish.
Travel Friendly
Lightweight, durable, and easy to pack, the AeroPress is great for travel, camping, offices, and home brewing.
Why Coffee Lovers Love AeroPress
- Fast brewing time
- Easy cleanup
- Great for travel
- Flexible recipes
- Low bitterness
- Can make regular coffee or concentrated coffee
- Excellent with fresh roasted specialty-grade coffee
AeroPress Coffee Ratio
A great starting point for AeroPress coffee is a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. That means 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water.
| Water | Coffee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | About 14 g | Single cup |
| 10 oz | About 18 g | Stronger single cup |
| 12 oz | About 21 g | Large cup |
| 16 oz | About 28 g | Two smaller cups or diluted concentrate |
How to Make AeroPress Coffee
This is a simple standard AeroPress method that works well for most coffees.
Insert Filter
Place a paper filter in the AeroPress cap and rinse it with hot water.
Add Coffee
Use medium-fine ground coffee as a starting point.
Heat Water
Heat water between 175–205°F. Cooler water often creates a smoother cup.
Pour Water
Pour water over the coffee grounds and make sure all grounds are saturated.
Stir Gently
Stir gently for even extraction.
Wait 1 Minute
Let the coffee steep for about 60 seconds.
Press Slowly
Press down slowly and steadily for 20–30 seconds.
Enjoy
Drink as-is or add hot water to make a larger, smoother cup.
Common AeroPress Mistakes
Grinding Too Fine
If the grind is too fine, pressing can become difficult and the coffee may taste harsh.
Water Too Hot
Very hot water can increase bitterness. AeroPress often tastes great with slightly cooler water.
Pressing Too Fast
Pressing too quickly can cause uneven extraction and a less balanced cup.
Using Stale Coffee
Fresh roasted coffee makes a major difference in flavor, aroma, and finish.
Using Too Much Coffee
AeroPress can make strong coffee, but too much coffee can create an overly intense cup.
Not Experimenting
The AeroPress is flexible. Try different ratios, grind sizes, temperatures, and brew times.
Best French Settlement Roasting Co Coffees for AeroPress
AeroPress brewing works well with smooth, balanced coffees and can also handle bolder blends.
Peru Single Origin
Excellent clarity, balance, and low bitterness. A strong choice for AeroPress brewing.
Bloody Angola Blend
Bold and smooth with enough body to make a rich AeroPress cup.
Gumbeaux Blend
A balanced everyday coffee that works well for standard AeroPress recipes.
Jet Fuel Medium Roast
A higher-caffeine favorite for AeroPress drinkers who enjoy a stronger cup.
AeroPress Brewing Tips
- Start with medium-fine ground coffee.
- Use fresh roasted coffee for better aroma and sweetness.
- Try slightly cooler water for a smoother cup.
- Press slowly and evenly.
- Add hot water after brewing if you want a larger cup.
- Experiment with ratios because AeroPress is very flexible.
AeroPress vs French Press
| Feature | AeroPress | French Press |
|---|---|---|
| Brew Time | Fast | Moderate |
| Cleanup | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Body | Medium | Full |
| Sediment | Low | Higher |
| Portability | Excellent | Fair |
Why AeroPress Is Great for Travel
AeroPress is popular with travelers, campers, office workers, truck drivers, and coffee enthusiasts because it is compact, durable, easy to clean, and capable of brewing excellent coffee almost anywhere.
Travel
Easy to pack and simple to use in hotels, cabins, and road trips.
Camping
Durable and lightweight enough for outdoor coffee brewing.
Office
A simple way to make better coffee at work without needing a full setup.
Recommended AeroPress Equipment
You do not need much to brew great AeroPress coffee, but good equipment helps make your results more consistent.
- AeroPress brewer
- AeroPress filters
- Burr grinder or properly ground coffee
- Kitchen scale for accurate ratios
- Kettle or travel kettle
- Fresh roasted coffee
Why Fresh Coffee Matters for AeroPress
AeroPress brewing can highlight sweetness, balance, and subtle flavor notes. Fresh roasted specialty-grade coffee gives you a better starting point than stale coffee because it preserves more aroma, clarity, and character.
Related Resources
Coffee-to-Water Calculator
Calculate the right coffee and water amount for AeroPress and other brewing methods.
Brewing Guides Hub
Explore French Press, AeroPress, Moka Pot, Pour Over, Drip Coffee, Espresso, and Cold Brew guides.
Coffee Finder
Find the French Settlement Roasting Co coffee that best fits your taste.
Shop Coffee
Browse fresh roasted specialty-grade coffee from French Settlement Roasting Co.
Need Help Brewing Better Coffee?
Not sure which coffee, grind size, or brewing method is right for you? Send us a message and we will help you choose the best setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grind size should I use for AeroPress?
Medium-fine is a great starting point for AeroPress. If pressing feels too difficult or the coffee tastes harsh, try a slightly coarser grind.
How long should AeroPress coffee brew?
Most AeroPress recipes take 1–2 minutes. A simple starting point is about 1 minute of steep time followed by a slow 20–30 second press.
Is AeroPress stronger than drip coffee?
It can be. AeroPress can make regular-strength coffee or a stronger concentrated coffee depending on your coffee-to-water ratio.
Can AeroPress make espresso?
AeroPress does not make true espresso because it does not use the same pressure as an espresso machine, but it can make a strong concentrated coffee for espresso-style drinks.
Is AeroPress good for travel?
Yes. AeroPress is one of the most popular travel coffee brewers because it is compact, durable, fast, and easy to clean.
What coffee is best for AeroPress?
Peru Single Origin, Bloody Angola Blend, Gumbeaux Blend, and Jet Fuel Medium Roast all work well with AeroPress depending on whether you prefer smooth, balanced, bold, or stronger coffee.