If you’re on a constant quest to find the perfect cup of coffee, you must have considered getting the Aeropress. In my case, this is the device that got me into the specialty coffee culture.
However, this device can be fidgety, especially when brewing temperatures are in question.
For Aeropress brewing, water temperature should be defined depending on the coffee roast profile. For dark roasts, experts suggest 175 °F (80 °C). For medium roasts, the recommended temperature is 185 °F (85 °C). These temperatures have proven to consistently show the best results in terms of taste.
In this article, I will explain, in my experience, why water temperature is an important aspect of Aeropress coffee making and share how different temperatures can affect the final product’s taste.
Why Temperature Is Important During Your Coffee Brew in the Aeropress
There’s a common misconception that’s been circling the Internet: All it takes to make Aeropress coffee is to add boiling water and coffee to the device. As you’re about to find out, this method of brewing is far from right:
Controlling the brewing process ensures that what comes out of your Aeropress is not only drinkable but also satisfies coffee drinkers with a refined palate.
A few elements can help us control the brewing process that significantly affects the Aeropress coffee taste. Using Aeropress to its fullest potential means paying attention to each of those elements. The elements include:
- High-quality coffee beans.
- Proper roasting.
- Proper grind size.
- Appropriate water temperature.
Obtaining high-quality beans is a must for any decent brewing method. The roasting and the grinding process, on the other hand, are a thing of personal preference. Those who like richer tastes will need to roast their beans longer. Those who are after a smooth cup of coffee will want to keep the roasting time shorter and the grind finer.
Now, let’s take a quick peek at the last central element in Aeropress brewing:
Water temperature is one of the essential Aeropress elements as it can drastically affect how the finished cup of coffee will taste. The temperature of water you use will highly depend on the type of roast and grind you have, as well as on the flavor profile you’re after.
Generally speaking, a hotter temperature will produce a smoother and more subtle cup of coffee. Alternatively, lower water temp will typically make a richer and stronger brew. Plus, the Aeropress coffee flavor and strength are also affected by the ratio of water to coffee and extraction time.
Follow the table below to avoid bad tastes and make the perfect cup:
| Taste | Grind | Roast | Water Temperature |
| Bitter | Smooth | Dark | 185 °F (85 °C) |
| Acidic | Coarse | Light | 175 °F (79.44 °C) |
Water Temperature for Aeropress Should Be Different From Other Brewing Methods?
We’ve established why water temperature is so important when making your next caffeine dose with an Aeropress. Now it’s time to explain whether there’s a difference between water temperature for Aeropress and other common brewing methods:
The optimal water temperature for most coffee brewing methods is between 195 and 205 °F (between 90 and 95 °C). However, Aeropress requires a slightly lower temperature. With Aeropress, the best taste is achieved between 175 and 185 °F (between 80 and 85 °C), depending on the roast.
Adding water in the optimum temperature range makes the difference between a decent and an excellent cup of Aeropress coffee. The 175 to 185 °F range is guaranteed to keep the flavor of your brew smooth, rich, and balanced.
Aeropress was created as a method for coffee world newcomers to experience the full potential of coffee in an easy way. It is cheap, easy to use, and forgiving when it comes to any potential mistakes in the process.
However, water temperature is one of the things that coffee drinkers shouldn’t take lightly. As already mentioned, it’s one of the most important aspects of making a good Aeropress brew.
What Happens if I Brew With Water Below 180 °F?
For casual coffee drinkers, there isn’t much noticeable difference between coffees brewed at different temperatures. However, those who set slightly higher standards for their main waking up aid might find a noticeable difference when the wrong water temperature is used.
Brewing Aeropress coffee with water below 180°F (80°C) is likely to produce a brighter, sharper, and more acidic batch of coffee. Keeping the temperature between 155 and 175°F (between 70 and 80°C) will produce a rounded and slightly bitter flavor profile.
Depending on your taste, you may find your ideal coffee flavor in this brewing water temperature range. Most regular coffee drinkers agree that the rounded, sweet, and barely noticeable bitter taste is what makes the perfect brew. As mentioned above, water temperatures in the 155 to 175 °Frange are perfect for this purpose.
What Happens if I Brew With Water Over 190 °F?
What happens when the coin is flipped to the opposite side of the recommended temperature scale? Is the coffee going to be any good? Let’s find out:
Brewing Aeropress coffee with water over 190 °F (90 °C) is not recommended, as it will produce a bad batch of coffee. Due to the fairly hot brewing environment, the coffee will likely develop a bitter and unpleasant taste that more resembles tea than coffee.
Not many people want to go through the trouble of making coffee with an Aeropress only to end up with an undrinkable beverage that barely resembles coffee. Following the temperature guidelines are important precisely for this reason.
Those who would instead not check the water temperature will probably be more satisfied using a different brewing method.
Conclusion
Here’s an undeniable truth: Aeropress coffee brewing can get tricky. This especially applies to those who are used to dealing with instant and filter coffee.
However, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s tips and instructions, you should end up with a perfect cup of coffee every time, with no hassle.
Regarding water temperature, Aeropress recommends that you use water between 175 and 185°F (80 and 85°C).