The Best Aeropress Recipes for the Outdoors

Did you know that there is an ice speed-climbing world championship? Two 12-15m vertical ice walls are constructed next to each other in a ‘duel format’ comp. The rules are simple…the fastest ice climber wins.

Did you know there is also a world Aeropress championship? Much like ice climbing, the rules are simple… Whoever can brew the best cup of coffee using an AeroPress wins! Lucky for us, those winning recipes also get published to websites like worldaeropresschampionship.com and aeroprecipe.com – Have a peruse on your next rest day. To get you started, here’s a recipe from coffee guru Tim Wendelboe, founder of the World AeroPress Championships. 

– Sule (VL’s Resident Coffee & Gear Nerd)

Best for: 

• Trying something new
• Speed Ice Climbing champions 

You’ll need:

• Aeropress and paper filters 
• [Optional] AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap or Fellow prismo 
• 14g of good coffee, ground medium fine-ish (try 15-20 clicks)
• 200ml of hot water 
• A scale (they can weigh more than coffee)
• A timer (or just count)

STEPS:

1. This recipe uses roughly a 1:14 ratio of water to coffee, so however much coffee you plan to use (14g) you should use about 14 times more water (round it up to 200ml).

2. Rinse a paper filter and screw it into the aeropress body. 

3. Place 14g of coffee into your Aeropress and pour in 200g of hot water a few minutes off the boil (96°C).
   

4. Stir back and forth 3 times and push the plunger in a bit to prevent the liquid from draining through.

Note: Or buy an AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap to eliminate drip through.

5. Start a timer and let it steep for 60 seconds (or count to 60 black totems).

6. Remove the plunger and stir another 3 times back and front (it’s important to only stir 3 times).
   
   Note: Stirring more will increase extraction and stirring less will reduce extraction. 

7. Re-insert the plunger and start pressing slowly.

Note: Don’t press too hard. 

BETA:

Tastes acidic or sour? 

• Grind finer
• Use hotter water
• Stir more

Tastes bitter/ashy?

• Grind coarser
• Use colder water
• Stir more gently