AeroPress is a popular, simple coffee maker with a great reputation. It’s easy to use and brews quickly. But does the inverted method actually makes a better cup of joe?
Inverted brewing may produce less acidity in your morning brew than traditional brewing methods do because there is more contact time between the hot water and the grounds when using this method.
All while also producing less bitterness due to increased surface area contact during brewing.
In this article, we will show you how you can brew a delicious cup of coffee using the inverted AeroPress brewing method.
The AeroPress Coffee Maker
The AeroPress brewing process is simple, but it will take some practice to get it right. It is easy and quick to set up, but it’s important to assemble the device properly and get a good grind size on your coffee beans.
The right grind size will help with the extraction in the brewing process and help you make consistently better cups of joe each time you brew coffee with it.
Pre-grinding your coffee beans: Inverted AeroPress brewing will give you better results if you pre-grind your fresh coffee beans before using this method.
Therefore, it’s critical to use a good quality grinder (we like Baratza’s Virtuoso grinder because it has consistent, accurate burrs). This is the only way to get a consistent grind size from brew to brew.
Using a scale will also help you achieve the best results. If you don’t have a scale, try measuring out your coffee grounds by volume using a measuring scoop or cup. Consider making coffee with different amounts of coffee to find what you like the best.
Read Also: AeroPress Brewing Guide
AeroPress Inverted vs Normal
The debate between AeroPress inverted vs normal method is one that has divided the coffee community for years. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
The main difference between the two methods is the orientation of the AeroPress during brewing. With the inverted method, the AeroPress is turned upside down so that the filter basket is on top. This allows for a more even extraction since gravity pulls the water evenly through the coffee grounds.
Additionally, it’s easy to achieve a higher coffee-to-water ratio with the inverted method, which can result in a more concentrated brew with AeroPress crema. On the other hand, the normal brewing method is simpler and doesn’t require flipping the AeroPress upside down. Some people prefer this method because it’s less messy and easier to clean up.
Brewing Coffee With The AeroPress Inverted Method
Now that you know all about AeroPress, let’s get brewing! This guide will show you how to brew a great cup of coffee using the inverted method.
What You’ll Need:
- AeroPress Coffee Maker
- Fresh coffee beans
- Water
- Scale
- AeroPress Paper or Metal Filters
The Steps:
1) Grind Your Coffee Beans.
When you grind your beans, you’re essentially breaking them down into smaller pieces. This increased surface area allows the water to extract more of the coffee’s flavors and aromatics. As a result, you’ll end up with a cup that’s richer and more full-bodied.
In addition, grinding your beans will also help to ensure that your coffee is evenly brewed. If your grind is too coarse, your coffee may come out under-extracted and taste bitter. On the other hand, if it’s too fine, your coffee may be over-extracted and taste sour. Therefore, it’s important to find the right grind size for your particular AeroPress.
For the inverted AeroPress method, we recommend using a medium-fine grind. This will allow for a slower extraction and prevent your coffee from tasting bitter.
2) Measure Your Coffee Grounds.
Next, you’ll need to measure out your coffee grounds. We recommend using 20 grams of coffee for this recipe. However, feel free to experiment with different amounts of coffee to find what you like the best.
If you don’t have a scale, you can also measure your coffee by volume. In this case, you’ll want to use about 1.5 tablespoons of coffee.
3) Boil Water and Preheat Your AeroPress.
While your water is boiling, go ahead and preheat your AeroPress by adding hot water to it and swirling it around. This will help to ensure that your coffee stays nice and hot throughout the brewing process.
Also, make sure to rinse the paper filter with hot water to soften it up and get rid of any paper taste.
4) Turn the AeroPress Inverted.
Once your water has reached a boil, it’s time to turn the AeroPress upside down. This might seem a bit strange at first, but trust us, it’s the best way to brew coffee with this device.
Go ahead and put the plunger inside the brewing chamber so that the filter basket is on top. This will allow for a more even extraction since gravity will pull the water evenly through the coffee grounds.
Tip: Don’t forget to add the paper filter to the filter basket before brewing. Also, be careful to seal your AeroPress properly.
5) Add Coffee Grounds and Water.
Now it’s time to add your coffee grounds and water to the AeroPress. First, add your measured coffee grounds to the brewing chamber. Then, slowly pour in hot water until the chamber is about three-quarters full. Make sure to stir the coffee and water mixture gently so that all of the grounds are fully saturated.
6) Steep for 30 Seconds.
Once all of the coffee grounds are fully saturated, place the cap on top of the AeroPress and let it steep for 30 seconds. This will allow the water to extract all of the flavors and aromatics from the coffee grounds.
7) Turn the AeroPress Again.
After 1 minute, it’s time to turn the AeroPress right side up again. Doing this will help to evenly distribute the coffee grounds in the brewing chamber and prevent them from settling at the bottom.
8) Press Down Slowly.
Now it’s time to press down on the plunger. Do this slowly and evenly so that you don’t end up with any coffee grinds in your cup.
You’ll know that you’re done when you hear a hissing sound coming from the AeroPress. This means that all of the water has been forced through the coffee grounds and into your cup.
9) Enjoy Your Coffee!
Now it’s time to enjoy your freshly brewed cup of coffee. We recommend adding a bit of milk or cream to cut through the richness of the coffee. You can also add sugar or other sweeteners if you like.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with different grind sizes and brewing times to see how they affect the taste of your coffee. Just remember to have fun and enjoy the process!
Don’t forget to clean your AeroPress so that it’s ready for your next cup. You can follow our AeroPress cleaning guide for more information on how to do this.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
The Best Inverted AeroPress Recipe
We will now show a bonus recipe for an AeroPress that is sure to please any coffee lover. This recipe is for a cold brew coffee, which is perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients:
- 20 grams of medium-fine coffee grind
- Hot water
- AeroPress compostable paper filters
- Milk or cream (optional)
Instructions:
1. Begin by heating up some water to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, or just under boiling.
2. While the water is heating up, insert an AeroPress paper filter into the cap and wet it with some hot water from the kettle.
3. Put the grounds into the AeroPress coffee maker and give it a little shake so that they are level.
4. Slowly pour in half of the water, making sure to wet all of the grounds. At this point, you should start a timer for one minute.
5. After 30 seconds have passed, give the AeroPress coffee maker a little stir so that the grounds are evenly saturated.
6. Continue to pour in the rest of the water until the AeroPress is full.
7. Place the cap on top of the AeroPress and screw it on tightly.
8. Put the AeroPress onto your cup or mug and slowly press down.
9. Add the coffee to the fridge for at least 12 hours, or overnight.
10. When you are ready to drink your cold brew coffee, add milk or cream (optional) and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aeropress inverted method better?
Generally speaking, the inverted method produces a more even extraction, resulting in a smoother cup of coffee. The traditional method, on the other hand, is more controllable and allows for more experimentation. So, it really comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a consistently good cup of coffee, go with the inverted method. But if you like to experiment with your brews, stick with the traditional method.
Why do people invert the Aeropress?
There are a couple of reasons people might choose to invert their AeroPress. The first reason is that it allows for more even extraction. When coffee grounds are evenly saturated, they extract more evenly, resulting in a more balanced cup of coffee.
The second reason is that it helps to prevent coffee grounds from ending up in the cup. When the AeroPress is inverted, the coffee grounds are trapped in the filter, leaving behind only rich, flavorful coffee. Whatever the reason, inverting the AeroPress is a simple way to upgrade your coffee-drinking experience.
How long can Aeropress be inverted?
30 seconds is the maximum time you should invert your AeroPress. This is because, after 30 seconds, the coffee will start to become over-extracted. Over-extraction occurs when the water has been in contact with the coffee grounds for too long, resulting in a bitter taste. So, if you inverted your AeroPress for more than 30 seconds, you would end up with a cup of coffee that is too bitter to drink. Therefore, it is important to only invert your AeroPress for 30 seconds or less.
Last Thoughts
So there you have it – our inverted AeroPress coffee brewing guide! We hope that this article has helped to clear up any questions you may have had about how to use the AeroPress in an inverted method, as well as shown you just how simple and versatile this brewing process can be.
If you’re looking for a delicious cup of coffee that is both easy to make and satisfyingly complex in flavor, then look no further than the AeroPress Inverted Method. Give it a try today and let us know what you think!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
