Although you don’t need to stir an AeroPress it is highly advisable. This is because the stirring action, or agitation, ensures the water gets through all the grounds and provides for a more even extraction of coffee. However, you can get a similar effect by swirling the water in circular motions as you pour it into the device.
That said, the only type of coffee you make from an AeroPress that MUST have stirring is for the cold brew. Without the stirring, the coffee will not be successful or taste right. Other than that, stirring is entirely optional.
When Do You Need to Stir an AeroPress for an Average Cup of Coffee?
The typical instructions for stirring the grounds in an AeroPress for an average cup of coffee are after adding the water to the grounds. First you bloom the grounds with a small amount of water. Then you add the rest of the water. It’s after you incorporate all the water that you should stir it.
For How Long Do You Stir an AeroPress for an Average Cup of Coffee?
10 seconds is all the time you need to stir an AeroPress for an average cup of coffee. You can do more or less, but this will be completely dependent upon your preferences of strength and the type of grind you use.
For instance, lighter roasts may want to stir for 15 to 20 seconds whereas a dark roast may need a stir for two to five seconds, if at all.
When Do You Need to Stir an AeroPress for Making a Cold Brew?
Stirring for a cold brew will be much the same as for an average cup of coffee. You’ll do this right after adding room temperature water.
For How Long Do You Stir an AeroPress for Making a Cold Brew?
Stirring the grounds in an AeroPress for a cold brew is much longer than an average cup of coffee. You’ll need to do this for at least one whole minute. You may want to do this longer after you taste the first cup under the suggested way depending on how strong you want your coffee to taste.
Why Can’t You Skip Stirring Grounds in an AeroPress for a Cold Brew?
You cannot skip this stirring step when making a cold brew from an AeroPress. This is because the room temperature water you use will have to work harder on the grounds to extract the coffee.
Do You Need to Stir AeroPress to Make Coffee Espresso-Like?
Whether you should stir the grounds in an AeroPress to make your coffee more espresso-like will entirely rely on personal preferences. If you want to strive for the crema, the foamy finish on a cup of espresso, you will need to stir the grounds. This will be especially true if you want to mimic a cappuccino, latte or mocha latte.
When Do You Need to Stir AeroPress to Make Coffee Espresso-Like?
There are two points in which you will have to stir the grounds in an AeroPress to make it espresso-like. First is when you go to bloom the grounds and then after you pour in the rest of the water. This will ensure crema and provide for a more flavorful cup of coffee.
For How Long Do You Stir an AeroPress to Make Coffee Espresso-Like?
When you add the bit of water to bloom the grounds, you’ll stir for just a second or two. After you add the rest of the water to the grounds, you may stir for five to 10 seconds. The type of roast will dictate the length of time you stir at this point.
Because espresso beans are usually a very dark roast, you will want to stir for five seconds or less. Of course, how you prefer your espresso-like coffee to taste will determine the length. If you’re using something like Death Wish that combines both Robusta and Arabica beans, then you may not want to stir it at all.
Does the Speed of the Stir Affect the Coffee Brewed in an AeroPress?
Yes, the speed of stirring will greatly affect the coffee brewed in an AeroPress. In fact, it’s the stirring, or agitation, that determines the strength, flavor and clarity of the overall brew. This is where the art and nuance comes into using an AeroPress successfully.
For instance, if you’re brewing a light to light-medium roast, you will want to use a good, vigorous stir for a full 10 seconds. However, if you’re brewing something super dark, like Death Wish Coffee beans, then you may want one slow swirl around for a second.
When you’re opting to go for an espresso-like beverage, then you’ll want to stir at a medium speed for five to 10 seconds. You will have to play with the stirring technique until you get it down the way you like it. There are no hard and fast rules for this since it’s all about personal preference.
Should You Wait to Stir After Pouring in All the Water into an AeroPress?
Some people recommend waiting for a one minute before you begin stirring the grounds in an AeroPress after pouring in the rest of the water. Yet others recommend stirring while you pour the water in. Once again, this will take some experimentation on your part.
Letting the water extract some of the coffee for a minute before you stir will allow the essence and flavor to build up. But, stirring while you pour in the water will help the water distribute evenly through the grounds immediately. The coffee bean type, roast type and your taste preferences will all come into play.
Will Stirring an AeroPress Affect the Bitterness that Can Occur?
Yes, stirring an AeroPress will affect a coffee’s bitterness. This means you’re extracting too much for too long from the beans. You can try for stirring less time, exposing the grounds to water for less time or depressing the plunger down sooner.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
