11th R COFFEE

Ingredients:

• 18 grams of freshly ground coffee (medium-fine grind)

• 200 grams of water at 85°C (185°F)

• AeroPress with paper filter

• Timer

• Stirring paddle or spoon

• Scale

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Preparation:

• Place a paper filter in the AeroPress cap and rinse it with hot water to eliminate any paper taste and warm up the brewing equipment.

• Assemble the AeroPress in the inverted position (plunger at the bottom, chamber on top).

2. Coffee and Water:

• Weigh out 18 grams of coffee and grind it to a medium-fine consistency, similar to table salt.

• Heat 200 grams of water to 85°C (185°F). Using water at the correct temperature is crucial for extracting the best flavors.

3. Bloom:

• Add the ground coffee to the AeroPress chamber, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.

• Start your timer and pour 50 grams of water over the coffee grounds, saturating them evenly. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds, releasing carbon dioxide and preparing the coffee for extraction.

4. Main Pour:

• After the bloom, pour the remaining 150 grams of water into the chamber, filling it to just below the top. Give it a gentle stir to ensure all grounds are fully submerged and to help with even extraction.

5. Steeping:

• Allow the coffee to steep for 1 minute and 15 seconds. During this time, the flavors will be extracted, leading to a balanced cup.

6. Pressing:

• After steeping, attach the AeroPress cap with the rinsed paper filter onto the chamber.

• Carefully flip the AeroPress over onto a sturdy mug or carafe.

• Press down on the plunger slowly and steadily, applying even pressure for about 30 seconds until you hear a hissing sound. This indicates that all the water has been pressed through the coffee grounds.

7. Finishing:

• Once you’ve fully pressed the coffee, remove the AeroPress, discard the spent grounds and paper filter, and give the coffee a gentle swirl to mix the layers.

• Serve immediately and enjoy your championship-winning AeroPress coffee.

This recipe, with its precise measurements, temperatures, and timing, captures the essence of a world-class AeroPress brew, delivering a cup that’s rich in flavor, balanced, and full of nuanced notes.