The best grind for an AeroPress, per the company, is fine. However, any grind type that ranges from fine to medium is ideal. But, it shouldn’t be too fine because it will seep through the filter, making for a textured, sludgy cup of coffee. It shouldn’t be too coarse because it will make the coffee taste sour.
However, coffee is subjective and it’s always advisable to experiment with different grinds to see which one suits you. The good news is that you can use just about any standard pre-ground coffee from the store. This is ideal if you don’t have a grinder to pulverize the beans yourself.
What Is the Optimal Grind Texture for AeroPress?
Per the AeroPress company, you should use fine ground coffee but a medium-fine or medium grind will have a great cup of java in your hands within a minute or so. Consider the types below:
- Medium: Similar to the consistency of normal sand, this needs a brewing time in the AeroPress for over three minutes before pushing the plunger down.
- Medium-Fine: This is very much like the consistency of fine sand but not nearly as fine as an espresso grind. When you put it into the AeroPress, it has to brew for two to three minutes before you depress the plunger.
- Fine: Similar to the consistency of silt or table salt. An AeroPress requires a brewing time of one to two minutes prior to using the plunger.
Does the Grind Actually Matter When Using an AeroPress?
In order to have a quick cup of coffee, the grind type matters for an AeroPress. This influences the time it takes for the hot water to steep and seep through the grinds. The more coarse the grind, the longer it will take to drink a cup of Joe.
What Kind of Grinder Should You Use to Pulverize Coffee Beans for an AeroPress?
You can use any kind of coffee grinder available to you for the AeroPress. But, the most recommended kind is a burr grinder, also called a burr mill. This will give you the medium, medium-fine or fine grind that’s most appropriate for the AeroPress.
What Is a Burr Grinder?
A burr grinder is a type of mill that’s ideal for coffee beans. It uses two revolving abrasive surfaces which separate by a specific distance to produce varying textures in a grind. When the surfaces are close together, they create a great grind texture for an AeroPress. When you set them further apart, the grind becomes coarser.
These can be manual or electronic and do not heat the coffee via frictions as they do in blade-type grinders. The particles come out uniform and consistent, which is perfect for an AeroPress.
Can You Use Store-Bought Coffee Grounds in AeroPress?
Yes, pre-ground coffee is perfect for an AeroPress as long as it’s “fine ground” or “espresso grind.” Therefore, you will have to pay attention to the packaging for the specifics about the grounds.
Will an Espresso Grind Work in an AeroPress?
Yes, coffee grounds made espresso style are very ideal for an AeroPress. As a matter of fact, the other name for fine ground coffee is espresso. While an AeroPress won’t produce a true espresso, the coffee does come out as espresso-like.
Is It Better To Grind Your Own Beans for an AeroPress?
Yes, it’s best to grind the beans yourself for the AeroPress. The coffee will taste much fresher and you can create a grind that’s suitable to your tastes and preferences.
Will Ibriki be Sufficient for an AeroPress?
Ibriki, or Turkish (or Arabic or Greek) coffee grounds will not be ideal in an AeroPress. This grind is super fine that may seep through and clog the micro filter, making the plunger difficult to use. This will also provide a thick, muddy and sludgy texture to the coffee you may not like.
However, for those that like a more robust coffee with some mouth-feel, it may be ideal to use Ibriki in an AeroPress.
Will Ground Coffee for a French Press Work in an AeroPress?
Because the grind required for a French Press is very coarse, it may not work well in an AeroPress. This is because of how the French Press uses a filter that’s metal mesh versus the micro filter of an AeroPress. It’s not that you can’t use the same type of grinds, but you will have to brew and stir in the AeroPress for several minutes.
Can You Use Café Bustelo in an AeroPress?
You can use Café Bustelo in an AeroPress. This is a new trick people are trying, but the reviews for it on Amazon suggest it will be the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had. Just two scoops of Café Bustelo will produce a dark, thick and rich cup.
What’s more, the Café Bustelo from an AeroPress makes great iced coffees, lattes and cappuccinos. The richness of the brew will withstand the dilution from milk, ice and other liquid additives.
Can You Use Lavazza Coffee in an AeroPress?
Yes, you can use Lavazza Coffee in an AeroPress. The texture of the grind and the flavor of the beans produce a smooth and delicate cup of coffee with a high level of caffeine. AeroPress actually makes Lavazza’s flavors and aromas come through better while also being easier to digest.
Can You Use Nescafé Instant Coffee in an AeroPress?
You might be able to use Nescafé in an AeroPress, but no one has really tried that as of yet. However, there’s nothing stopping your own attempts at experimentation. That said, you shouldn’t need to use something like Nescafé instant coffee since AeroPress practically turns fresh coffee grounds into a sort of instant coffee.
Also, because Nescafé dissolves upon coming into contact with water, particles may get trapped inside AeroPress’s micro filter. And if you don’t allow enough dissolving time for the grounds inside the contraption, you may end up with chunks of it in your coffee.
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.