As an ex-coffee business owner, I would like to talk about coffee equipment related to the minimalist lifestyle in this article.
I have been using the coffee brew kit called "Aeropress Go" for many years, and I think Aeropress is the true minimalist item for home and travelling.
Let's jump into it!
What is Aeropress Go
To explain simply, Aeropress is the coffee brew equipment that you use air pressure to brew.
It is made of solid plastic so you won't break it easily and you can use it for a long time.
The coffee you get from Aeropress is close to the pour-over coffee, but one thing different from the pour-over is that you can control the density very easily; you can make it like espresso or you can simply brew it like black coffee.
Even though I am a true coffee geek who has owned his own coffee brand in the past, Aeropress is the only coffee equipment that I have with me at the moment.
What you need to start Aeropress is...
- Brew equipment (Aeropress)
- Kettle
- Hand grinder (POLEX)
- Coffee Scale
- Coffee beans
Why is Aeropress Go is good for a minimalist?
If people ask me why Aeropress is good for the minimalist, I have three reasons and those are...
- Simplicity
- Resistiblility
- Portability
Let's take a look at each reason why all minimalists should have Aeropress
Simplicity
The first reason is that Aeropress is a very simple coffee brew kit.
It has only 3 parts; (from left to right ) Body, Lid, and Plunger
I think simplicity is the basis of minimalism.
You may know the famous saying "less is more" by Mies Van Der Rohe, having or being less can mean or do more.
In terms of the coffee maker, I think Aeropress is the simplest of all because it doesn't consume electricity, it is very simple, and you can use it for a long time.
Resistability
The second reason why I recommend having Aeropress is that it has really trustable resistibility.
I have been using the current one for more than three years, and I have never felt that this one is going to be broken shortly.
I feel the Aeropress can live longer than me...
As I have written in the article, Minimalism Concept and Goal; What is Minimalism and how to set your goal? I believe minimalism is all about focusing.
When you focus on the equipment that you are going to buy, I think you want to buy cost-efficient and long-lasting equipment,
The price and resistibility of Aeropress are perfect for all the minimalists to enjoy the minimalist lifestyle.
If you purchase something, please be kind to this mother planet, and please try to choose something you can use for a long time.
If you are still consuming disposable cups, please read the Minimalist article item for home: bamboo reusable "ecoffee cup" for all coffee lovers to know more about fashionable & reusable coffee cups.
Portability
As you can see, it weighs only approx.160 grams.
When I travel around Japan or even when I go abroad, I always bring my Aeropress with me.
If it is the pour-over dripper like the below picture, it isn't that easy to carry around.
Nowadays I see a lot of specialty coffee shops and great Roastery all around the world, so what I love about travelling with Aeropress is that I can buy the local coffee at any place and enjoy the coffee while I travel.
Recipe for Aeropress Go
If you decided to buy Aeropress, here's a simple recipe for black coffee.
The recipe is quoted from my Japanese Blog.
- Grind Level: Medium Fine
- Beans: 15g
- Hot water: 220cc
- Water Temp: 92-94℃ for light roast / 86-88℃ for dark roast
2nd pour: add 170cc (total 220cc)
take 75 seconds to finish pressing
Let's take a look at the pictures.
1st pour: 50cc to bloom, swirl 3 times, wait 30 seconds
water temp is 92-94℃ for light roast / 86-88℃ for dark roast
2nd pour: add 170cc (total 220cc)
take 75 seconds to finish pressing
Brew done!!!
If you want to watch me brewing Aeropress, here are my old videos that I have posted on YouTube a long time ago when I was still enjoying my own coffee business in Tokyo.
If you are looking for true long-lasting coffee equipment, I suggest you try Aeropress.