Alan Adler invented the Aeropress in his garage a little over a decade ago. Now there’s even World Aeropress Championships. The Aeropress is enticing in large part because it may be the most forgiving brewing method ever. Coffee can be brewed using a range of grinds, temperatures and dosages, while still making a stellar cup. On top of that, it’s one of the most affordable and portable options. It’s quite the brew tool.

How to Make it at Home
With the Aeropress you can brew a sweet, full-bodied cup of coffee anywhere in under 5 minutes. And there’s two ways to use it: The Right-side Up and The Upside Down. It’s really a matter of preference. Try it both ways!

The Right-side Up
Step 1: Measure & Grind
Measure and grind about 17 grams of coffee, medium to fine. You need about 2 ½ tablespoons of ground coffee. The ratio is 1:16, more or less aligning with other methods.

Step 2: Prep the Press
Get the press ready by placing the filter in the basket and wetting it with hot water to get the paper flavour out. Screw the basket onto the bottom, and place the press on top of your mug. Add the grounds using the funnel if you have it.

Step 3: Pour Water
Boil water and let it sit for a minute. Saturate the grounds with hot water up to the number 4. Stir, and place the plunger on top, lifting afterwards to create a bit of a pressure seal. Let the saturated grounds sit for a minute and 15 seconds.

Step 4: Stir & Plunge
At 1:15,  remove the plunger and give the mixture a final stir. Then plunge, slow and steady. When you hear a hissing sound, your brew is done.

Step 5: Clean
Press the filter and grinds out by pushing the plunger all the way down. Rinse all three pieces. It’s quick and easy!

The Upside Down
Flipping things around this time, The Upside Down method starts with plunger downwards. Sometimes with The Right-side Up water leaks through the filter before brewing is complete. The Upside Down keeps this from happening.

Step 1 is the same. The plunger should be placed in the brew chamber, aligning with the bottom of number 4. Then stand it up. Add the ground coffee, followed by hot water. Stir gently and let it sit for a minute and 15 seconds, same as The Right-side Up.

Fasten the basket with the filter wet, same as before. Then flip! Flip the press onto your mug. Once it’s in place, press the plunger down gently until you hear that hissing sound. You’re done.

What do you think? What method works better for you? Do you prefer to live in The Upside Down?