[JoshK]

I got an Aeropress coffee maker for xmas from my sis.  I have never been able to make a decent cup of coffee.  So far, I have had hit and miss with the Aeropress.  I thus have two questions.

First, what ratios do you use to make a good cup of java?  Two scoops of beans and up to the #2 with hot water always turns out too watery for me.  I've gone to three and three and add equal amounts of hot water after wards for a 2/3rd mug of java.  That so far is my best ratio.

Second, got good bean suggestions?

My sis got me some Guatemalan mix from a popular Portland Oregon cafe.  Its good, it could be my ratios above, but it is a bit weak.  I like my coffee very dark, very rich but without too much bite.

From memory, my best cup of joe to date, was at Tiu Dropar cafe in Reykjavik, Iceland. 

[satfrat]

Josh, I use a 10.5 oz Bodium mug and 1 full scoop of beans. I also use 14 Tbs of milk and about 9.5 oz of water which just about fills the Areopress. I warm the water in the nuker til just before boiling or about 195 degrees. I fill the Aeropress about 3/4 full, stir to fully mix the water/grinds and then pour in the rest of the water. Wet the plunger and press. I don't wait myself but the longer you wait til pressing, the stronger the brew will get. I also nuke the milk to warm it up some. I grind per cup at the finest grind I have as this hastens the brew and I quick press anyways.
 
Each cup of coffee is exactly the same as the last as I have my nuke times pat for both water & milk with the assistance of a temperature gauge and my fluid levels all the same thanks to a 5oz measuring glass. I use a Pyrex measuring cup to warm the water btw. This ritual has been a godsend for me personally.
 
edit: www.mochajoes.com , a Brattleboro, Vt specialty roaster. I highly recommend(from my preference point of view only) the Rwandan beans(low acidity) or the Kenyan beans(high acidity), both are a medium roast with a smooth aftertaste but tons of complex flavors per sip.
Cheers,
Robin

[randytsuch]

Hi Josh
Are these guys close to you?
http://www.gimmecoffee.com/static/community_stores.aspx
I have never actually had their coffee, but they have a good reputation

Here's a thread about places you can order from on the internet
http://www.home-barista.com/coffees/list-of-our-favorite-roasters-t12125.html
These places are all "artisan" roasters, they roast in small batches, and only ship freshly roasted coffee.  Their coffee will have a roasted on date, so you know when it was roasted.
Ideally, coffee should be used within a couple weeks of roasting.

BTW, you really should get a good grinder too.

Randy

[Tyson]

Hi Josh,
I find that the Aeropress (which I use every day), requires about 1/3 of the tube to be filled with the grinds, and then the rest filled with hot water, stirred, and let set for 4 minutes.  To keep it hot, I put the "Plunger" portion in at the top to seal it, but I don't press it down till the full 4 minutes are up.

[JoshK]

Thanks for the tip Tyson.  I haven't tried letting it sit.

[ctviggen]

Hi Josh,
I find that the Aeropress (which I use every day), requires about 1/3 of the tube to be filled with the grinds, and then the rest filled with hot water, stirred, and let set for 4 minutes.  To keep it hot, I put the "Plunger" portion in at the top to seal it, but I don't press it down till the full 4 minutes are up.

I mix my grinds with water, then leave it in there for about 20 seconds.  I then press it out slowly.  I heat the water to 170-180.  To me, this makes a great cup of coffee.

However, I just saw an Alton Brown episode where he recommended letting coffee steep for 4 minutes. 

I've never seen the reason to do this for four minutes, because my coffee is great.  However, I may test this method this weekend and do a comparison.

[ctviggen]

Oh yeah, I use one scoop of coffee per "cup", but then I make 4 "cups" at a time.  I then split into two, two ounce portions.  Into each, I add 6 ounces of water, for a total of 8 ounces per drink. 

[bummrush]

  4 mn extraction out of a little aeropress would be way to long,all that will do is bring out the bitterness,even 4 mn in a french press is pushing it

[Tyson]

You are right that 4 mins in a french press is too long.  But I find that in the Aeropress the filter acts as an absorber for some of that.  For some people it might be too long, in which case they can try 3 mins, or 2 mins, or 1 min.  That's the cool thing about the Aeropress - it gives you a lot of control to adjust the flavor to exactly your preferences.

[ctviggen]

Alton Brown's recipe called for four minutes in a French Press. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/man-coffee-recipe/index.html

I'm basically following the instructions that came with the Aeropress, and my coffee is pretty much the same each time.  I do use a Thermopen thermometer to gauge the temperature of the water (175-180).  I use four scoops of coffee and fill the Aeropress to the 4 cup mark.  I stir for about 20 seconds, then begin to slowly press out the water.  I divide this into two cups and add 6 oz water to each cup (I refrigerate these for drinking the next two days).  A perfect cup of coffee each time.

[DaveC113]

My Aeropress didn't work well with a blade grinder. I got a Capresso Infinity burr grinder, and now it works like it's supposed to. I put 2 scoops of beans into the grinder on fine to xtra fine, fill the aeropress up to 3 with water just off boil (I'm at 5400 ft though), stir for 20-30 seconds, let it sit for another 20 sec, then press. I nuke some milk, add 50/50 w/ Aeropress coffee.

For beans, I like Conscious Coffee, a local place:

Also, I've ordered from Sweet Okole:

edit: can't post the links for some reason...

[satfrat]

My Aeropress didn't work well with a blade grinder. I got a Capresso Infinity burr grinder, and now it works like it's supposed to. I put 2 scoops of beans into the grinder on fine to xtra fine, fill the aeropress up to 3 with water just off boil (I'm at 5400 ft though), stir for 20-30 seconds, let it sit for another 20 sec, then press. I nuke some milk, add 50/50 w/ Aeropress coffee.

For beans, I like Conscious Coffee, a local place:

Also, I've ordered from Sweet Okole:

edit: can't post the links for some reason...

Here ya go Dave. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[el-cee]

Josh,
If you're ever in the Princeton NJ area, I can recommend:
www.smallworldcoffee.com
Their Grumpy Monkey is a favorite:
"Working with the wild tones of Africa and the earthy base of our beloved Indonesians allowed us to create a blend worthy of the name we've been dying to use: Grumpy Monkey. There is a grumpy monkey in all of us, and this blend is designed to provide the full-bodied, fully-flavored cup we need to get in and out of the jungle everyday."
I think they also ship.
el-cee

[turkey]

Second, got good bean suggestions?

I think I remember seeing you say that you were in New York. McNulty's used to be really good, although I haven't dealt with them in a few years.

http://www.mcnultys.com/

I always liked their Delmonico blend.