AeroPress, the device that ended up conquering the world
When they talk to us about any coffee accessory, our mind will always link it with a company related to the industry. But what would you think if on this occasion, the credit goes to a sports products manufacturer. Although it may sound crazy, the truth is that thanks to this company today we have an excellent device for preparing coffee and it is known as: AeroPress.
Its design is very similar to that of a giant syringe, which allows the coffee to pass through a filter, usually made of paper. This makes it one of the quickest methods of brewing a good cup in a matter of seconds.
As if that were not enough, it is one of the most sought after preparation devices, it even became the most used tool in the World Coffee Championship, the World AeroPress Championship (W.A.C). As well as the protagonist of his own film titled “AeroPress Movie” If you are a faithful coffee lover, you cannot miss watching this interesting film.
As you will see, this is a popular method within the coffee world. That is why, since Incapto Coffee, we have taken the task of telling you a little more about the AeroPress, since the Christmas holidays are approaching and you could give this device to yourself or put it on the tree for a coffee fan.
What is the AeroPress?
Its origins date back to 2005, at the hands of the American engineer and inventor Alan Adler, to whom creations such as aerodynamic toys are also attributed, such as: soccer balls with fins and hoops or flying rings. After launching to the market and achieving success with the AeroPress, today has approximately 40 patents in electronics, aerodynamics and optics.
Adler's goal was reduce preparation time and at the same time reduce that bitter taste that your cup used to have. But what makes the AeroPress different from other pouring methods? The answer is that its design was inspired by the technology of espresso machines. But in this case, electricity and levers were replaced, with the pressure exerted by the person when preparing the drink, after pushing water through the disk.
The AeroPress is made up of two tubes. It is capable of preparing a full-bodied coffee, in a matter of seconds and very similar to the french press. Many experts in the field even place it far above the French press.
After much trial and error, Adler finally got his hands on the AeroPress. In their family business, which only had 12 employees, they began producing the device and also carrying out various demonstrations at trade fairs.
How did you manage to reduce time?
After analyzing it very well, Alan Adler considered that pressure was the best option to reduce preparation time. It turns out that a closed chamber increased the pressure produced when pushing, making this feasible enough for the engineer to obtain his coffee in a matter of seconds.
The AeroPress was not immediately successful
Although it is an incredible device, some members of the specialty coffee guild did not have love at first sight with the AeroPress. And this was because they saw it as a gadget invented by a toy manufacturer and not as a novel preparation item.
Fortunately, as time went by the comments became positive. The American took it upon himself to put theory aside and implement practice, with samples of prepared coffee, and this spread the word. What put the AeroPress at the top of the mountain was the quality of its cups.
There may still be those who consider it as just another method of preparing coffee. But its creator once stated that what made his device so popular was that it provides a very flavorful coffee in one minute. In addition to this, we can carry it everywhere, it is easily cleaned, has multiple uses and fits into all pockets.
Once again, its preparation time stands out, being adequate to push the coffee dose, as well as the relationship between coffee and water. For Adler, there are many ways to experiment with the AeroPress, which brings out endless qualities in your cup.
It became a championship
For those who don't know, in the specialty coffee guild they have a series of championships, in which preparations, baristas, the famous latte art to roasting are awarded. This is without counting the green coffee contests, which also tend to be very popular.
In 2008, a championship with irreverent, innovative and original qualities was added to this list of international competitions. It is about the World AeroPress Championship (W.A.C) The first edition that had only three participants took place in Oslo, Norway. The event was organized by Tim Wendelboe and Tim Varney. The latter remains in charge of the organization alongside Tim Williams.
When the device consolidated its popularity, in the 2018 edition of the championship, a total of 3,157 participants, coming from 61 countries. They were observed for approximately 68,265 spectators.
As its creator has said, there are many ways to use the AeroPress. So the contestants, in addition to demonstrating their skills, shared different ways of using it (one more creative than the other). Basically, this championship opens the doors to everyone, they just have to show how they really experiment with this preparation method, and that creativity always results in the best cup.
The AeroPress is here to stay
There is no doubt that this device ended up conquering the greats of the coffee industry. With the passage of time, its appearance has changed a little, now we can find transparent black color, differentiating the most recent ones noticeably from the first models manufactured.
The AeroPress will continue to evolve, as Alan Adler implied, with a more “portable” version, but we will have to wait a little to find out what it is.
As for the championship, new ideas will be implemented to make it more attractive for participants. New modalities will be included and this rigid facet of the contest will vary a little and turn it into something friendlier in the coming years.
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