The AeroPress, invented by Alan Adler, an American inventor and engineer, has a relatively short but impactful history. It was first introduced in 2005 and quickly gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

Alan, who was dissatisfied with the traditional drip coffee makers, sought to create a simple and efficient brewing device that could produce a smooth and  flavourful cup of coffee. He drew inspiration from the principles of espresso machines and combined them with a plunger mechanism, resulting in the innovative AeroPress we know and love today.

The AeroPress consists of two cylindrical chambers and a plunger with a rubber seal. To brew coffee, a paper filter is placed in the bottom of the brewing chamber, coffee grounds are added, hot water is poured in, and the mixture is stirred. After a brief steeping time, the coffee is pressed through the filter using the plunger, forcing the brewed coffee into the serving vessel.

Since its release, the AeroPress has become a favourite brewing method due to
its portability, ease of use, and the ability to produce a clean and full-bodied cup of coffee with low acidity. It has also gained a following in the specialty coffee community, where various brewing techniques and recipes have been developed to explore the diversity of flavours the AeroPress can extract. Its versatility, affordability, and consistent results have solidified its place as a beloved coffee brewing method over the years.

THE WORLD AEROPRESS CHAMPIONSHIP

The World AeroPress Championship is about building community, making friends, and celebrating coffee. At its heart WAC exists to bring coffee-loving people together in an open, inclusive and fun environment. In 2008, a simply idea came to two coffee lovers:

Wouldn’t it be fun to see who could brew the best cup of AeroPress coffee? And with that, the World AeroPress Championship was born.

The first competition took place in a small room in Oslo, with only three competitors
and Tim Wendelboe as the judge. It was a modest and understated affair. Since ’08, the championship has become a global community and phenomenon.

Like many ideas good and simple, the competition has since grown organically,
and now spans 120 regional and national events taking place in over 60 countries.

Each season how sees more than 3,000 competitors getting involved, and yet,despite its size, the competition remains a fun, inclusive and light-hearted
pursuit.

2022 Season at a glance

- 6 New WAC Circuits
- 59 Regional Championships
- 56 National Championships
- 4,445 Competitors Worldwide
- 21,203 Spectators Worldwide

Some impressive numbers there, considering it all started with 3 competitors
and a judge only 15 years ago!

THE RECIPE

I recommend 15g medium / fine coffee grounds to 220g water.

1. Put the paper filter into the cap and rinse well. Similarly to the pour-over, this rinsing gets rid of any papery taste. You can also pre-warm your cup at this stage too.

2. Put the plunger inside the chamber to form a seal. This is known as the ‘inverted method’.

3. Place your freshly ground coffee into the AeroPress.

4. Pour 50g water straight into the AeroPress. You’re aiming for a temperature of between 92° C and 94° C.

5. Stir twice in a circular motion to ensure all the coffee grounds are wet.

6. Set your timer for 30 seconds and start the coffee bloom.

7.  Add another 170g water and stir again.

8. Set your timer for 2 minutes this time.

9. Attach the cap and screw into place.

10. Invert your AeroPress so it’s sitting on top of your cup. Don’t worry it won’t spill out everywhere as the top of the AeroPress is forming a seal.

11. Press down on the plunger until you hear a ‘hiss’ - this should take around 30 seconds.

12. Sit back and enjoy best coffee you’ve made with your AeroPress!