I use my AeroPress twice a day, every day and love it. But the article is mistaken in calling it espresso. It's not even close, although someone has rigged one to produce espresso[1].<p>And don't let the article fool you, there are really only three important factors: water temperature, grind size, and steep time. Varying these can get different characteristics from a particular roast, and it's fun to experiment! What I found most surprising was how differently the same roast can taste from an AeroPress vs. an expensive espresso maker. If I don't like it from one, there's still a good chance it will be delicious from the other. Very strange!<p>[1] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIfZ84qtBOc" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIfZ84qtBOc</a>
I was using the AeroPress Inverted Method for about two years with varying degrees of success, however, I finally soured on the clunkiness, mess-making potential, lack of easy containment/storage, and lack of body to the coffee it produced so I sold out and got a Nespresso VertuoLine. It's such a refreshing experience to just push a button and have espresso (actual espresso) or coffee. The only downside was the lack of bean choice, however, a clever YouTuber put me on to a method of reusing the pods with your own grind. So when I get tired of the Nespresso flavors, I brew my own (although this is pretty rare since the Nespresso varieties are pretty damn rich and tasty).<p>I still keep the AeroPress around though — who knows why — affectation maybe.
Aeropress is made out of polypropylene plastic which has been found to leech quats and oleamide. I have become more and more alarmed at how often coffee is prepared or delivered via plastics that are prone to leach, specially at the higher temperatures of coffee. From plastic drip coffee machines to the lids on coffee cups sold at cafes. Even glass french presses normally have a plastic in the lid. This is one reason why I currently prefer the pour over method.
I have a very fine stainless steel mesh strainer for my aeropress (replacing the little paper discs). Using it, I'm able to let the coffee steep for 45+ seconds, gaining the benefit of the inverted method without needing to mess around with inversion.<p>That said, I still prefer well-executed pourover (once I got the hang of my pourover method) to aeropress coffee but I think that's more of a personal preference thing. Nowadays I travel with the aeropress (and a nice travel grinder that fits inside) and do pourover at home.
I have found my AeroPress coffee to be lacking body. I returned to pour-overs and French presses.<p>Having read this, I feel I must again tinker with the Aeropress.<p>Likely case of "Doing it wrong."
I've tried a great many ways of brewing coffee including several Aeropress setups - I can honestly say that Aeropress is no better than your standard French press - it's not even close to espresso or even a handpresso or similar device.
I would like to "hack" together a stainless steel AeroPress, at least the outer tube, I think the press is fine.<p>I don't know whether I've been pressing too hard or what, but I've noticed that my cylinder is expanding.
Was impressed with mine, but after the first few days the mess, fuss, and hassle started to get a bit old. Next, this guy needs to invent the 21st century version, which is connected to your water supply, filters and heats the water, stores and grinds a few weeks worth of coffee, and you just press a button and out pops your coffee, with no mess.
If the inventor will please make a portable, electric burr grinder I would be extremely happy. This is the missing piece, for travelers and those who cannot otherwise own a proper burr grinder.<p>Edit: came across this which looks promising <a href="http://handground.com/" rel="nofollow">http://handground.com/</a>
For the last few months I've been doing Aeropress or a pour-over in a chemex on the weekends. I'm still getting my technique down for both and I can't claim that either tastes remarkably better than my Keurig (I totally admit I dont have a great palette for coffee), but it seriously is a lot more fun than just pushing a button. I really looking forward to my weekend morning coffee now.<p>Recently I've started doing cold brew coffee -- starting it Friday night and then diluting it with hot water in the morning. For me it tastes noticeably better and less bitter.
Honestly I would prefer a Clever Coffee Dripper any day of the week. zero mess, probably even more dummy proof than the AP, higher capacity, imho better coffee.