Serious, Simple Coffee

The Aeropress—I first heard about it two years ago. The guy I got my daily coffee fix from had won the Aeropress Championship of Argentina. And apparently, that was quite a big deal. He proudly showed me the small plastic device with which he had won over the jury. His secret? Freshly ground coffee made from the finest Colombian coffee beans, combined with perfect timing.

He turns out not to be the only fan of the coffee maker. Around the world, there are countless specialty shops and coffee bars where the Aeropress is displayed on the counter like a kind of trophy. What makes the little device so special? Absolutely nothing—and that’s exactly the point. It’s all about simplicity, with the focus entirely on coffee. Back to basics.

Although the device is super easy to use, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the following things when making a cup of coffee. That way, it will simply taste its best.
1. The quality of the beans. Go only for the best.
2. The coffee beans must be ground on the spot. The fresher, the better.
3. The quality of the water is important. Preferably use boiled spring water, although that is of course not necessary in the Netherlands.
4. The temperature of the water. Not too hot, because that will make the coffee bitter.
5. Mixing the water and the coffee. Stir the coffee thoroughly into the water.
6. The infusion time. Let the coffee dissolve slowly in the warm water.
7. The moment of truth, the “press time.” Slowly push the coffee through the filter.

Enjoy your slow brew!

Text: Nora van den Heuvel
Image: Shutterstock