If you were to read some of the reviews online, you could conclude that this little gizmo makes your coffee, brings it to you in bed with a plate of biscuits and that day’s newspaper; honestly, people seem to be losing their heads!
This could be due to the creator: Mr. Alan Adler. This guy is famous for deciding to create the world’s best flying ring (you know the thing with a brand name that rhymes with thrisbee…), so he did with the record-breaking Flying Ring Aerobie. When he decided to design the best single cup coffee maker (following that traditional step from outdoor toys to kitchen appliances), did people just assume it would be the best?
So, lets put it to the test. First off, I like my coffee but will often put convenience before quality and if it involves using more than two devices, chances are I’m only going to get it out when I have guest’s round, and that’s mostly to show off (actually its entirely just to show off; half my friends hate coffee). AeroPress brags to be a revolutionary way to make the perfect coffee every time, and due to its simplicity will turn you away from instant coffee forever. The AeroPress uses gentle air pressure which it claims creates a smooth, rich flavour with lower acidity and without bitterness. Regular coffee makers drip hot water onto the coffee grounds, which can result in over extraction from the centre of the coffee grounds and leaves the edges under-utilised. However, the AeroPress performs a uniform extraction across the entire surface of the ground coffee.
The AeroPress comes with 350 filters, a scoop, funnel and stirrer along with the two parts that make up the AeroPress. It is very easy to use: instructions are included, plus there is a world of information online about the perfect timings and techniques by die-hard fans. The long and the short of it is you pop a filter in the cradle, add you favourite ground coffee, add the hot water and plunge straight into the cup. Even better, it is wonderfully easy to clean: you press the plunger all the way down to compress the ground coffee, pop them out of the bottom and rinse.
So, the big question, what was the coffee like? It was nice, plain and simple. It isn’t going to change your life but it’s smooth, grit free and devoid of any bitterness. It is better than my regular mid-range instant coffee, there I said it! When comparing it to our French press, it is easier to clean but you can only make one cup at a time. I felt more conscious of the cup slipping underneath the press (this hasn’t happened yet, but I am super accent prone), so the French press feels more stable but the AeroPress is so durable and compact that it makes it more convenient for travel and camping. Although the main unit is made from a tough BPA free plastic it doesn’t leave a taste (this will still turn off serious coffee drinkers who would never dream of using plastic in their coffee making process), however the accessories feel cheap and might not withstand the same pressures as the AeroPress.
What is the final verdict then? Well, it does make a good cup of coffee there is no disputing that. For me, it doesn’t beat the French press but it is a healthy equal - it has some qualities that will make it more suitable in certain situations, seeing as it costs so little if you love your coffee you might as well give it a go. At the least, you won’t be disappointed with what ends up in your cup, at best (or possibly worst) you will join all the cool coffee kids in your new obsession. RRP £29.99
4.4 out of 5
Pros
Easy to use
Produces a good cup of coffee
Quick
Straightforward to clean
Portable
Cons
Low quality accessories
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