Debating between AeroPress vs pour over coffee brewers? If you’re stuck in choosing amongst these two popular methods, worry no more because we’ve got you covered. Each technique will allow you to play with the aspects of your brew and the flavors of the beans, so read on to learn which one to use for what beans.
Overall AeroPress vs. Pour Over
While Aeropress and pour over are very similar methods, they produce distinct final products. If you are new to coffee brewing, the Aeropress is probably a better choice for you because of its general ease & convenience.
You can quickly brew without hassle, while still getting a rich final product. Aeropress is also preferred by those who like to try different kinds of coffee beans, because it’s more versatile overall. On the other hand, pour overs are for those brewers who have a high appreciation for the ritual of coffee making, and don’t mind the extra brewing time.
In History: AeroPress vs. Pour Over
Aeropress has been around for almost two decades since it was launched back in 2005 by Alan Adler. He was originally inclined towards producing toys, and was famous for his Frisbee products until he decided to invent the Aeropress. It quickly gained popularity at home and in coffee shops, thanks to its convenience.
Either method only takes one minute to actually brew a tasty coffee, and are easy to carry for travel. Beyond the original, there are multiple other coffee products designed by Adler. There’s the classic, Aeropress Original Coffee Maker, and the more handy Aeropress Go Travel coffee maker.
On the other hand, the Pour Over goes way back to 1908 when it was first invented by Agusta Melitta Bentz. She was a curious housewife who used her son’s blotting paper to filter her coffee grounds as she poured boiling water over them. Once she was able to get the bitter flavor and gritty bits out, the coffee filter was born.
Later on, as she experimented more, she was able to confirm that the flavor of the watered coffee grounds is indeed enhanced with her method. Pour over coffee makers are now available in a variety of materials, with some of the most popular being made of ceramic, such as the Kalita Wave and Bee House. Other popular models of pour overs include the Bodo, Melitta, and Oxo editions. Finally are the glass pour overs, such as the popular Hario V60 and the Chemex.
Mouthfeel of AeroPress vs. Pour Over
Coffee is said to have an enjoyable mouthfeel when it has a light, smooth, and balanced heft in the mouth. The way you brew your coffee can change the texture of your coffee’s mouthfeel, making it silkier, sharper, or even grittier. Aeropress and Pour Over methods both use a paper filter to remove oils from the coffee grounds; this makes your final cup lighter, and gives a cleaner-tasting mouthfeel than filter-free methods.
In terms of convenience, some later models of coffee brewing machines are more effective because they’re designed more carefully, but it really depends on what you’re after. Whether for convenience, getting a more powerful flavor, or the daily ritual, we each have a different preference.
Depth of Flavor in AeroPress vs. Pour Over
The depth of flavor in coffee is determined by the degree of roasting it undergoes and its flavor is enhanced with the brewing technique we use. Aeropress has a strong depth of flavor that is quite similar to an espresso because it employs immersion brew technique. It uses medium-fine grind size and it’s brewed for a shorter time so the pressure plunging further helps extraction and the flavor.
On the other hand, Pour over has a richer and balanced depth of flavor because of its manual brewing style. The coffee grounds are immersed as the water is poured slowly in a spiral motion until it blooms and it’s appropriately extracted.
Best Coffee Beans for AeroPress & for Pour Over
If you have decided between Aeropress or Pour Over, your next dilemma is probably knowing which coffee bean matches best. We’ve listed down below the best coffee beans that you can use for your next brew.
Best Coffee Beans for AeroPress
Life Boost- Optimum Light Roast
This coffee bean is rich in flavor and possesses a bright, vibrant, yet well-balanced acidity. It’s perfect when using Aeropress because you can play along with the flavor of the final brew. Plus it’s one of the healthier coffee options for acid reflex thanks to its low acidity level.
Onyx Coffee Lab- Whole Bean Ethiopian
This washed coffee from the Bombe mountains in Ethiopia has a complex flavor profile that includes crisp acidity, bright florals and sweet notes. It works well with any filter device, and specifically in an Aeropress brewer.
Coffee Bean- Colombia Supremo Whole Bean
This coffee is lightly roasted, and it displays a smooth yet complex body wtih bright, sunny acidity. Depending on your preferences, you can even add extra water to this bean when brewing with an AeroPress, and it won’t tone down the flavor.
Best Coffee Beans for AeroPress
Coffee Bros– Light Roast Coffee Beans
This selection has a clean, complex blend that makes it ideal for pour-over coffees. It has a slightly bitter taste, well balanced with fruity notes you don’t often get to enjoy in take-out coffees. The flavor of this blend comes form Ethiopian and Colombian beans, resulting in delicate and undeniably delicious tang. With tasting notes of honey, citrus, and flowers, it’s ideal for a pour over!
The Mentalist- Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee
For strong caffeine lovers, the Mentalist Medium Roast Whole Beans is a must-have. These coffee beans have a distinctive, complex flavor profile of plum, cinnamon, orange, caramel and chocolate notes, making them the perfect coffee beans for making pour over coffee.
If you want a kick from your morning coffee, this is the best pick for you. Dallmayr products undergo a careful selection and roasting process to eliminate the bitter aftertaste of the coffee bean, and overall reduce acidity in your final cup.
You can always rely on just ordering out at your favorite café, but I think it would be great if you got to experience the beauty of coffee making in your own home. Explore the different coffee beans and brewing styles, and find which one suits you best, starting with the simplicity of either an Aeropress or a Pour Over.