So, we have been getting a lot of questions about the new AeroPress models shipped last August. People are wondering what happened to the old cloudy blue model AeroPress (the model they had come to love) and what’s the deal with the new clear models. At the WCP™ we love our Aeropress and wanted to know as well; here’s what we learned

The good folks at Aerobie have a few reasons why they changed the plastic they use in the AeroPress.

New clear AeroPress made of copolyester plastic

Probably the greatest reasons Aerobie saw fit to changing the plastic used in their AeroPress design was that there were worries that the high humidity and temperature resistant polycarbonate, used to make the chamber and plunger of the AeroPress, might be prone to leaching BPA. At the World Coffee Project™, we have to admit that some members on our team were also concerned with this very issue, but overlooked this concern for reason that the AeroPress produced such a superior cup of coffee.

As for the older, cloudy blue AeroPress models, these did contain phthalates, though they were never shown to contain any signs of the dreaded BPA. When the people at Aerobie had the Aeropress tested by an independent lab, they found that, even in a well used AeroPress, there was absolutely no amount of BPA traceable.

So, if you’re asking yourself, does my old AeroPress contain BPA, the answer is no.

With all that said about BPA, the people at Aerobie still decided on a copolyester plastic for their newest model, and there were two reasons for this. First, even though there were no traces of BPA in the original AeroPress, the people at Aerobie thought that the new material would take away perceived risks associated with BPA, and second, the new material would allow the company to make a clear model. Unlike it’s old-school, cloud blue counterpart, the people at Aerobie thought that the new material would give the coffee maker a more appealing look and allowed one to get a better look at their brew.

For more information check out the Aerobie website at: www.aerobie.com

                          

Fully Functional Bronze AeroPress Trophy From The 2009 World AeroPress Championship (WAC)

Bronze fully working AeroPress was awarded to the 1st prize winner of the 2nd World AeroPress Championships held in Oslo during June 2009. Wow, when will these be available to the rest of us.

Anyways, here’s a great link to a site that lists the top 3 finalists’ brewing methods: http://timwendelboe.no/category/aeropress/

We  particularly enjoyed Ben’s method of inverting the AeroPress and using a longer brewing time with a smaller dose of coffee. This method produces a beautiful cup of coffee and we found it particularly suited for cups of coffee floral and fruity characteristics. We recommend a good Ethiopian or Kenyan. The aromatics you’ll get from one of these cups is insane.

Ben’s Method (Inverted AeroPress Method)

Begin by boiling freshly filtered tap water.

Invert your AeroPress.

Apply a paper filter and run it under the tap until its rinsed.

Fill your inverted AeroPress with boiling water, apply the filter, flip and press the boiling water through the filter to ensure there is absolutely no paper taste and to heat up the system.

Once again, invert your AeroPress. The plunger should be about 1cm from the bottom.

Grind off your coffee, slightly finer than filter grind (Should be 14g by weight) and put it into your cup or glass. Keep this handy.

Bring your water to a rolling boil.

Put your inverted AeroPress on a scale and zero out.

When the kettle hits a rolling boil, shut it off, open the lid and start your timer.

Wait thirty seconds to allow the water to cool a bit.

Add 1dL or ~95g by weight of your water to the AeroPress and quickly zero out the scale again.

Add start your clock and add the 14g of coffee to the water and give the coffee a quick but efficient stir to completely saturate the coffee grounds in the water.

Add the remaining 1dL or ~95g by weight of water to the coffee slurry. The scale total should now read 109g.

Wait until the clock reads 50 seconds and then slowly and carefully flip the AeroPress back upright. (I would use two hands.)

Begin slowly plunging. This should take about 25 seconds. Plunge until you hear any hissing or air escaping through the coffee puck. Quickly pull the plunger back up and invert your AeroPress so it doesn’t leak everywhere.