Three Ways to Brew Coffee with an AeroPress

If you’ve ever wondered how to get the most out of your AeroPress—especially with competition-level precision—you’re not alone. The 2013 World AeroPress Championship revealed three distinct, high-scoring methods that changed how many specialty coffee enthusiasts approach this versatile brewer. Each technique offers a different balance of body, clarity, and extraction, and all are repeatable with the right details.

In short: the 2013 WBC AeroPress champions used three very different approaches—standard forward brew with a medium-coarse grind and 79–83°C water, an inverted method with full immersion and stirring, and a unique pre-wet, pressurized inversion method with a very coarse grind. All specify exact coffee doses, water amounts, temperatures, and timing.

What Is the AeroPress and Why Is It Popular?

The AeroPress is a compact, piston-driven coffee maker invented in 2005. Its versatility allows for a range of brewing styles—similar to espresso, immersion, or pour-over—making it a favorite for both beginners and professionals. Its portability, ease of use, and ability to produce a clean yet rich cup have contributed to its global popularity, especially among Specialty Coffee Association enthusiasts and competition brewers.

Method 1: Forward Brew with Bloom and Stir (Champion’s Method)

This is the technique used by the 2013 World AeroPress Champion. It’s a standard forward brew method with a bloom, controlled agitation, and precise timing.

• Coffee dose: 17g
• Grind size: Slightly coarser than hand drip (recommended using Uber grinder)
• Water temperature: Start with 83°C for the bloom, then 79°C for main pour
• Bloom: Wet filter paper, add 50g water, bloom for 40 seconds
• Main pour: After bloom, gently swirl to saturate all grounds, then add 215g water at 79°C over 30 seconds
• Total brew water: 265g (50g + 215g)
• Stirring: None specified during main pour
• Press time: Gently press down for 30 seconds
• Yield: Discard last 50g of coffee; serve ~215g brewed coffee

Tips for success: Choose high-quality, evenly sized beans—discard any overly large, small, or irregular ones. Use a cocktail glass to hold the coffee grounds beforehand to reduce static and fine particles.

Method 2: Inverted Full Immersion with Stirring (Runner-Up Method)

Used by the 2013 runner-up, this is a fully inverted method relying on immersion and stirring rather than bloom.

• Coffee dose: 17g
• Grind size: Not explicitly stated, but implied standard or medium
• Water temperature: Boiling (approx. 96–100°C, typical for immersion methods)
• Total water: 240g
• Brew time: 2 minutes total immersion
• Stirring: Stir 3 times during brew
• Method: Place AeroPress in inverted position, add coffee and water, stir, then let steep before pressing

This approach emphasizes full extraction through extended contact time and stirring rather than precise temperature control or layering.

Method 3: Pre-Wet Inverted Method with Light Press (Third Place Method)

The bronze medalist’s technique is the most unusual—using a very coarse grind, a small pre-wet, and no initial stirring, followed by a slow, body-weight press.

• Coffee dose: 12g
• Grind size: Very coarse
• Water temperature: Around 90°C
• Pre-wet: 50g hot water, then stir 5 times
• Main pour: Add remaining 150g water (total 200g)
• Method: Keep AeroPress inverted, do not stir after main pour, let sit
• Build-up: Expel air until liquid appears in the top chamber
• Placement: Flip AeroPress onto a cup or server in normal position after 2 minutes
• Press: Use body weight to gently press down (no specific time given)

This method highlights a long immersion with minimal agitation, and relies on a coarse grind to manage extraction speed and body texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best grind size for AeroPress brewing?

It depends on the method: the 2013 champion used a grind slightly coarser than hand drip (Uber grinder), the runner-up likely used a standard or medium grind, and the third-place winner used a very coarse grind similar to French press. Always match grind to your chosen method and desired extraction style.

What water temperature should I use for AeroPress?

The recommended range in these methods is between 79–90°C. The champion used 83°C for the bloom and 79°C for brewing; the runner-up used boiling water (~96–100°C); and the third-place method used around 90°C. Lower temperatures can reduce bitterness and are often better for lighter roasts.

Do I need to bloom when using an AeroPress?

Only the champion’s method includes a bloom (40 seconds with 50g water). The other two methods skip the bloom—opting instead for full immersion or pre-wet techniques. Blooming can improve clarity and even extraction, especially for light roasts.

How much coffee and water should I use in an AeroPress?

The recipes vary: 17g coffee with 265g water (champion), 17g with 240g (runner-up), and 12g with 200g (third place). Adjust based on your taste preferences and brew method. The champion’s recipe yields roughly 215g of brewed coffee.

Should I stir during AeroPress brewing?

Yes, in some methods: the champion and runner-up both stir—the former swirls after bloom and pours steadily, the latter stirs three times during the 2-minute immersion. The third-place method involves five stirs after the pre-wet, but none afterward.

Can I use the AeroPress for different coffee styles?

Absolutely. The AeroPress is extremely flexible. These three 2013 WBC methods show how you can achieve everything from a clean, bright cup (champion), to a full-immersion strong brew (runner-up), to a rich, low-acidity press (third place).

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for AeroPress Brewing

For these AeroPress methods, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright floral and citrus notes, their Brazil Queen Manor for a nutty, chocolatey base, or the Kenya Little Tomato for juicy acidity and wine-like tones. Each brings out different qualities depending on your chosen method—lighter roasts excel with the champion’s bloom style, while medium roasts pair well with full immersion. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.