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HomeCoffee8 Finest Espresso for Aeropress: Our Group's 2024 Favorites

8 Finest Espresso for Aeropress: Our Group’s 2024 Favorites


What’s the greatest espresso for Aeropress? It’s definitely one of many manufacturers like Koa Espresso, Espresso Bros and Volcanica.

pouring water with a yellow gooseneck kettle onto coffee for Aeropress

Picture: Julia Bobak

Espresso lovers know that the Aeropress is without doubt one of the greatest instruments for making superb espresso at dwelling – or on the go. It brews a candy, easy, and robust cup, excellent for highlighting the wealthy flavors of high-quality espresso beans.

Which high-quality espresso beans, you ask? That’s the place this listing is available in. 

I brewed and tasted dozens of beans to spherical up these 8 coffees that tasted greatest for the Aeropress. With varied roast ranges, origins, and value factors, one (or extra) is simply best for you!

The 8 Finest Coffees We Extremely Advocate for Aeropress

Picture Merchandise Particulars
OUR TOP PICK
OUR TOP PICK
photo of Koa Coffee Kona Grande Domaine
Koa Espresso Kona Grande Domaine
  • Vienna (Medium-dark) roast
  • Hawaii, USA origins
  • Toasted nuts, milk chocolate, tropical fruit
photo of Coffee Bros. Ethiopia Daye Bensa Espresso Bros. Ethiopia Daye Bensa
  • Gentle-medium roast
  • Sidama, Ethiopia origins
  • Caramel, apple, peach
photo of Volcanica Colombian Supremo (1) Volcanica Colombian Supremo
  • Medium roast
  • Bucaramanga, Colombia origins
  • Bittersweet chocolate, caramel, orange
Out of the Grey Kenyan AA Out Of The Gray Kenya AA
  • Darkish-medium roast
  • Kenyan origins
  • Blackcurrant, fennel, tea, florals
purity Decaf Purity Espresso Calm
  • Medium roast
  • Unspecified origins
  • Darkish chocolate, vanilla, crimson apple
photo of fabula medium roast Fabula Espresso Medium
  • Medium roast
  • Peruan origins
  • Praline, nuts, chocolate
Stumptown Coffee Cliffhanger Stumptown Hair Bender
  • Medium roast
  • Latin America, Indonesia, East Africa origins
  • Citrus, darkish chocolate, raisins
Peet’s Coffee Guatemala San Sebastian Peet’s Espresso Guatemala San Sebastian
  • Darkish roast
  • Antigua, Guatemala origins
  • Vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, guava

My workforce and I put the Aeropress to work and tasted over 15 coffees to compile this listing of high espresso beans on your Aeropress. We discovered distinctive choices in all classes, whether or not you favor gentle roasts, espresso blends, and even decaf.

The correct brew for you is dependent upon your preferences and finances, however listed below are eight unbelievable coffees to select from.

Finest General

The Koa Espresso Kona Grande Domaine was a simple alternative because the Finest General espresso for brewing with an Aeropress. Not solely was it my private favourite, however it was the unanimous winner of our style assessments. Sadly, it’s additionally the costliest possibility on the listing, so relying in your finances, it won’t be your on a regular basis Aeropress brew. However it’s properly definitely worth the splurge if you wish to deal with your self to the completely tasty cup of Aeropress espresso.

a bag of Koa coffee, white mug and an Aeropress brewer on a table

Picture: Julia Bobak

I really like the medium-dark Vienna roast of this espresso, which is simply darkish sufficient to boost the sweetness and physique with out obliterating the inherently fruity character of the beans. I discovered it to be a profoundly nutty brew, heavy with the richness of toasted cashews. There’s a decadent milk chocolate sweetness, and I received a touch of acidity within the type of pineapple and passionfruit – a stunning reminder of this espresso’s island origin.

Koa harvests the beans from their property within the Mauna Loa area of the well-known Kona espresso belt, the place the right mixture of local weather and soil yields among the greatest espresso beans on the planet. The Grande Domaine mix is 100% Kona espresso, combining their premium Kona espresso beans with a fraction of extra-special Kona Peaberry.

Gentle Roast

I’ve been impressed with each espresso I’ve tried from Espresso Bros. Their experience in sourcing and roasting is clear, and their beans all the time arrive contemporary.

What struck me about these beans from Ethiopia is their broad attraction – which isn’t all the time true of sunshine roasts. The Ethiopia Daye Bensa espresso will please Third Wave espresso followers in search of a brightly acidic brew. However I feel espresso traditionalists might be equally proud of its compelling pure sweetness.

The espresso is grown within the well-known espresso area of Sidama, Ethiopia. The beans are naturally processed within the solar, contributing to their sweetness and fruit-forward flavors.

I’d name the roast a Half Metropolis, including a contact of caramelization. I tasted ripe stone fruit and caramel, with a average acidity that was extra inexperienced apple than punchy citrus.

After I brew this one in my Aeropress, I like to make use of a barely increased coffee-to-water ratio, and I positively advocate ingesting it black.

Medium Roast

3. Volcanica Colombian Supremo

  • Roast: Medium

  • Origin: Bucaramanga, Colombia
  • Taste profile: Bittersweet chocolate, caramel, orange
  • Avaiable as: Floor or entire beans

medium roast is a key addition to your brewing arsenal, and Volcanica’s Colombia Supremo espresso is the one I all the time hold readily available. Everybody loves this espresso. There’s merely nothing to not like.

It’s a chief showcase of the well-known coffee-growing nation at its greatest – splendidly candy, nutty, and balanced.

I tasted wealthy chocolate and luscious caramel balanced by a mild orange acidity. It’s tremendous easy, particularly brewed with the Aeropress, with a medium physique and lingering end.

Colombia is the world’s second-largest espresso producer, and its longstanding place within the espresso business yields constantly high-quality beans (1). Some affiliate its market dominance with boring flavors or the not-so-impressive Juan Valdez model, however this thrilling Fairtrade single origin is a reminder that nice roasters ship nice Colombian beans.

Darkish Roast

4. Out of the Gray Kenya AA

  • Roast: Darkish-medium

  • Origin: Kenya
  • Taste profile: Blackcurrant, fennel, tea, florals
  • Obtainable as: Floor or entire beans

I really like Kenyan espresso. Admittedly, that’s a private choice, however I feel it’s one of the thrilling single origins available on the market. 

The most effective Kenyan beans are wealthy in complexity. However in contrast to its well-known neighbor Ethiopia, identified for subtlety and delicate flavors, Kenyan espresso is daring and punchy. Consider it like Ethiopian espresso turned as much as 11.

So whilst you’ll hardly ever see a darker Ethiopian espresso, these Kenya AA beans from Out of the Gray don’t have any downside taking up a heavier roast with out dropping their distinctive character.

This espresso is so advanced that everybody who tasted it skilled it a little bit otherwise. I assumed the flavors have been predominantly berry-like, with tasting notes of black tea, florals, and grapefruit acidity. However different tasters famous extra natural flavors or a molasses sweetness. You’ll simply have to select up a bag and check out it your self!

Decaf

5. Purity Espresso Calm

  • Roast: Medium

  • Origin: Unspecified mix
  • Taste profile: Darkish chocolate, vanilla, crimson apple
  • Obtainable as: Complete beans, pods, espresso sachets

Purity Espresso constructed its model round espresso for good well being, however the good flavors are what hold me coming again. I admire a model that gives a small, curated choice; they’re placing unbelievable care into each bean.

Purity Calm makes use of the identical mix because the medium-roast Stream, decaffeinated by way of the Swiss Water course of. Nonetheless, roasting is outsourced to a roastery that focuses on decaf. 

blue bag of Purity coffee next to a white Home Grounds mug with an Aeropress brewer on top of it

Picture: Julia Bobak

I used to be curious to do a style comparability of the common and decaf variations. The decaf has a barely darker roast profile, which I feel is an effective name. It offers it a great physique, and the added caramelization retains the flavors as wealthy because the caffeinated model.

I loved the style of each equally, to be trustworthy. The decaf was very chocolatey with notes of vanilla sweetness. I received a touch of apple brightness, however it’s muted in comparison with the common Medium. There’s additionally a Half-Caff model, although I haven’t tried it.

Like all Purity Espresso, Calm decaf is Natural, Smithsonian Hen Pleasant, and Rainforest Alliance licensed.

Natural

6. Fabula Espresso Medium

  • Roast: Medium

  • Origin: Peru
  • Taste profile: Praline, nuts, chocolate
  • Obtainable as: Floor or entire beans

Fabula presents solely natural espresso, and I loved brewing all of it with my Aeropress. Certainly, gentle roast followers ought to be aware of their natural single-origin from Mexico, an distinctive and attention-grabbing brew. However the Medium Roast is the best-seller and the one I’m inclined to advocate right here as probably the most broadly interesting of the bunch.

I assumed this single origin from Peru struck a formidable stability between unique and acquainted.

It has the complexity I anticipate from a single-origin espresso, however the flavors are comfy and satisfying.

It’s a candy and wealthy medium-bodied brew with chocolate, nuts, and caramel notes. I detected little or no bitterness or acidity, making this a simple espresso to sip all day. It’s equally tasty with or with out added milk.

For Espresso Drinks

7. Stumptown Hair Bender

  • Roast: Medium

  • Origin: Latin America, Indonesia, East Africa
  • Taste profile: Citrus, darkish chocolate, raisins
  • Obtainable as: Complete beans

Is your morning cup of espresso normally a latte or cappuccino? Then you definitely and I are in the identical boat. My go-to alternative for a wealthy and flavorful Aeropress “shot” is the Hair Bender from Stumptown Espresso Roasters.

Hair Bender is the model’s hottest mix, which doesn’t shock me in any respect. These espresso beans are the definition of crowd-pleasing. The mix of nutty Latin American beans, earthy Indonesian beans, and vivid and fruity East African beans produces a wonderfully balanced brew.

I’d nearly be tempted to name this mix a little bit boring when brewed as a daily espresso. However its complexity is revealed when ready as a concentrated shot of espresso with a mouth-coating physique. You’ll first style wealthy darkish chocolate and a daring, jammy sweetness, with a lingering orange zest within the aftertaste. It’s nice by itself and holds up superbly to take advantage of in a cappuccino. 

Funds Decide

I convey up Peet’s every time anybody asks me for a budget-friendly espresso model. For my part, they’ve efficiently navigated the almost inconceivable job of scaling up with out decreasing high quality. Their progress has enabled them to supply even higher coffees whereas retaining costs cheap, and so they proceed to roast, grind, and ship contemporary espresso.

I usually flip to Guatemalan beans for my Aeropress espresso, and I’m not alone. In 2020, Excellent Day by day Grind named Guatemala as an rising specialty area (2).

The nation’s shifting climates and investments in a various group of espresso varieties has led to some thrilling new outcomes.

In truth, the flavors of this Guatemalan single origin remind me of my best choice Kona beans, although the roast is a tad darker. I get punchy bittersweet chocolate balanced by candy notes of tropical guava and vanilla.

Should you benefit from the Kona espresso as an occasional splurge, permit me to counsel Peet’s Guatemala San Sebastian as your each day drinker. It’s a couple of quarter the value.

How I Examined The Beans

Every espresso was brewed twice, first utilizing Residence Grounds’ customary recipe for tips on how to use an Aeropress after which as a extra concentrated espresso-style espresso. Each espresso was tasted by me and at the least two different tasters. We rated the coffees utilizing a spreadsheet to attain style, aroma, aftertaste, physique, and mouthfeel.

I checked the roasting date of every espresso and rejected any beans that didn’t arrive inside a month. Recent is greatest.

How To Select The Proper Beans For The Aeropress Espresso

One purpose the Aeropress espresso maker is so in style is its versatility; it’s appropriate for an enormous number of coffees. The one vital factor is that you just purchase contemporary, high-quality beans like those on this listing.

That stated, not each espresso might be to your style. So listed below are some issues to think about when discovering greatest espresso beans for Aeropress.

Which roast degree is greatest?

Excellent news! The Aeropress works with any roast of espresso you get pleasure from.

Guide brewing strategies just like the Aeropress are great as a result of you may simply tweak the brewing variables to optimize extraction for any espresso, whether or not a darkish espresso mix or an unique gentle single origin. The world of espresso is your oyster, to combine a metaphor.

Should you attempt your favourite espresso within the Aeropress and it doesn’t style fairly proper, attempt adjusting the water temperature, grind dimension, coffee-to-water ratio, or brew time. I promise you’ll discover the candy spot.

Take into consideration the flavour profiles you get pleasure from

No roast or nation of origin is greatest for the Aeropress, so that you solely have to resolve what taste profiles fit your palate.

Do you want balanced, easy-drinking brews? Decide a espresso mix. Desire advanced and unique flavors? Take into account a single origin. Or take this recommendation from Blue Bottle Espresso (3):

Benefit from the consolation of a mix within the morning (perhaps with a contact of heat milk) and check out a vivacious single origin within the afternoon.

Each espresso’s taste is a singular mixture of the espresso plant, processing methodology, roast, and mix. Right here is only a tough guideline to think about when looking for beans:

  • Darkish roasts are typically decrease in acid, extra bitter, and have a heavy physique. They usually characteristic flavors of darkish chocolate, toasted nuts, molasses, earthiness, and dried fruit. 
  • Medium roasts strike a pleasant stability between sweetness, acid, and bitterness. They’ve a medium physique and flavors like nuts, milk chocolate, ripe fruit, brown sugar, and caramel.
  • Gentle roasts have a gentle physique, light sweetness, and excessive ranges of acidity. You’ll discover fruit, floral, and herbaceous flavors.

The wonderful thing about a single-serving brewer just like the Aeropress is that it’s straightforward to pattern many coffees with out brewing an entire pot each time. So have enjoyable and discover!

What grind of espresso do you employ for Aeropress?

The grind dimension we advocate for Aeropress is a medium-fine grind, barely finer than you’ll use for a drip espresso machine. Nonetheless, completely different coffees require slight variations for optimum extraction. I normally go a little bit finer with lighter roasts or when brewing a powerful espresso just like espresso. Simply keep away from going too nice, otherwise you’ll have an inconceivable time pushing the plunger!

Can you employ pre-ground espresso in Aeropress?

Sure, you need to use pre-ground espresso in an Aeropress; it’s fairly forgiving of grind dimension. Pre-ground espresso tends to be a little bit coarser than is right for this brewer, so I’d counsel rising the brew temperature or extending the steeping time to compensate.

Even for those who’re shopping for pre-ground espresso, it’s nonetheless vital that it’s contemporary. For the most effective floor espresso, select manufacturers that don’t grind till you order and that ship instantly.

What does Aeropress espresso style like?

Aeropress espresso is understood for being candy and easy, with little or no bitterness. When Alan Alder invented the Aeropress, he was impressed by the espresso machine. He realized that sooner extraction yielded much less bitter espresso and that this may very well be facilitated by added stress (4).

That’s why the Aeropress may also brew a powerful, concentrated shot of espresso just like espresso. It lacks the excessive stress required to attain true espresso, so Aeropress “pictures” aren’t fairly as flavorful and full-bodied and don’t have a layer of crema.

The Aeropress is historically brewed utilizing paper filters, which yields a clear cup. Nonetheless, you may swap in a metallic filter for Aeropress for a fuller-bodied brew with an oilier mouthfeel – just like a French press or Moka pot. It’s as much as your style, although I positively advocate a metallic filter if you wish to make a pseudo-espresso.

The Verdict

Should you’ve realized something from this information, I hope it’s that there isn’t any scarcity of scrumptious coffees for brewing with Aeropress. Whether or not you favor darkish or gentle roasts, blends or single origins, espresso or espresso, there’s an ideal Aeropress espresso for you.

My high decide for the most effective espresso for Aeropress in 2024 is the Koa Espresso Grande Domaine, a splurge-worthy mix of 100% Kona espresso beans that can please any espresso drinker. It’s wealthy, flavorful, and completely gorgeous as an Aeropress brew. Completely happy brewing!

photo of Koa Coffee Kona Grande Domaine

FAQs

Arabica espresso is greatest for brewing with the Aeropress. It tends to have sweeter and extra advanced flavors than its counterpart, Robusta. Should you’re overwhelmed by choices, this listing is a superb place to start out! If you wish to discover extra, a great rule of thumb is to all the time intention for speciality espresso beans.

Any good high quality burr grinder is nice for Aeropress brewing so long as it might probably obtain a medium-fine grind. When contemplating the grind for Aeropress or any brewer, I prefer to issue within the total context of my grinding wants. 

A guide grinder just like the 1Zpresso J-manual is a flexible alternative. The Porlex Mini is ideal for journey as a result of it suits contained in the Aeropress brew chamber. The traditional Baratza Encore is a dependable possibility for those who desire an electrical grinder.

The ratio of espresso to water in an Aeropress varies relying on the model of espresso you need to brew. After I’m making a regular cup of espresso, I like to make use of a ratio of 1:15, which is about 15 grams of espresso and eight ozof water. For stronger pictures, I’ll use a ratio as little as 1:4.

The quantity of espresso you want for Aeropress can differ relying on the model of espresso you need. I usually use 15 grams to convey a single cup of espresso, however you may add as much as 30 grams to your brewer if you would like a extra concentrated brew.

The distinction between Aeropress Authentic and Aeropress Go is primarily dimension. The Authentic has a 10-ounce capability, whereas the Go has an 8-ounce capability. The Go additionally features a journey mug that doubles as a carrying case for the brewer.

  1. Roman, A. (n.d.). Colombia: The Story of Juan Valdez. Retrieved from https://www.digestmiami.com/travel-juan-valdez-story/
  2. Charles, S. (2020, February 18). The Rising Specialty Espresso Areas To Pay Consideration To. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/02/emerging-regions-in-specialty-coffee-production/
  3. Blue Bottle Espresso. (n.d.). The Craft of Blends. Retrieved from https://weblog.bluebottlecoffee.com/posts/coffee-blends
  4. Bryman, H. (2022, August 3). Aeropress Has Launched a Reusable Metal Filter of Its Personal. Retrieved from https://dailycoffeenews.com/2022/08/03/aeropress-has-launched-a-reusable-steel-filter-of-its-own/



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