Guide · Beans and ground coffee
The best coffee for AeroPress in the UK
What grind and roast AeroPress recommends, which UK supermarket beans and ground coffees fit that brief, and prices checked on 3 Oct 2026, plus AeroPress's own recipe basics.
Finding the best coffee for AeroPress UK shoppers can buy is easier than it sounds: AeroPress’s own guidance is a medium-fine grind and slightly cooler water than you might expect, and plenty of supermarket coffee fits. This guide sets out what AeroPress recommends, which beans and ground coffees match, and the prices on 3 Oct 2026. We haven’t tested this in person. Picks are based on AeroPress’s published guidance, pack details and current prices. Read how we compare.
What AeroPress recommends
From AeroPress’s own FAQ and how-to guide:
- Grind: medium-fine. AeroPress says very fine particles block the flow of water and make it hard to press, so don’t go as fine as espresso. Its step-by-step guide also says store-bought medium ground coffee works.
- Dose: one heaping AeroPress scoop, which AeroPress says holds about 14g. Its how-to guide suggests 16 to 18g of store-bought medium ground coffee.
- Water: cooler than boiling. AeroPress suggests about 85°C for light and medium roasts and 80°C for dark roasts, as a starting point.
- Grinder: AeroPress recommends a burr grinder over a blade grinder. With a blade grinder, it says about 30 seconds of continuous grinding gets you to medium-fine.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants true espresso. AeroPress says that by the 9-bar definition, it doesn’t make espresso, though it can make a strong concentrate for milk drinks.
Best coffee for AeroPress UK: the picks
Whole beans, if you have a grinder
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Single Origin Colombian, 1kg. 100% arabica, single origin. £16.50 at Sainsbury’s, checked 3 Oct 2026. A single origin with no robusta suits the cleaner cup an AeroPress paper filter gives.
Grind Colombia whole bean, 200g. £5.95 at Sainsbury’s, checked 3 Oct 2026. A smaller bag of Colombian coffee if you want to try one first. Sainsbury’s listing didn’t state the roast level, so check the bag and pick your water temperature to match.
Who it isn’t for: anyone without a grinder. You’ll need to grind these medium-fine yourself. Our best burr grinder under £100 guide covers that.
Pre-ground, if you don’t
AeroPress’s guide says store-bought medium ground coffee works, which is what most supermarket “cafetière and filter” packs are. Our best ground coffee for filter machines guide covers more of these packs. Avoid packs labelled only for espresso, which are likely to be ground finer.
Taylors Lazy Sunday ground, 200g. A light roast (Taylors’ roast 3), 100% arabica, best served in a cafetière or filter according to Taylors. £5.75 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026. Use AeroPress’s 85°C suggestion.
Morrisons The Best Fair Trade Colombian ground, 227g. Single origin 100% arabica, medium roast, strength 3, and labelled for coffee machines, filters and cafetières. £4.30 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Costa Dark Amazonian ground, 200g. Sold as ground for cafetière and filter, dark roast, strength 5 of 6. £3.50 at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026. Use AeroPress’s cooler 80°C suggestion for a dark roast.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a medium-fine grind exactly. Supermarket ground coffee is a general medium grind, so you may want a slightly longer steep.
Which roast suits AeroPress?
Any roast works, which is why AeroPress gives temperatures for both. As a rough guide:
- Light and medium roasts, such as single origins, show off the cleaner cup an AeroPress with a paper filter produces. Brew at about 85°C.
- Dark roasts suit a strong concentrate for a latte or Americano. Brew at about 80°C.
For more on dark and medium beans generally, see our coffee beans hub.
Who it isn’t for: anyone after a precise flavour match. Pack descriptions are only a guide.
AeroPress recipe basics
AeroPress’s own step-by-step guide, in short:
- Heat water to about 85°C, or use water just off the boil if your kettle has no temperature control.
- Put a paper filter in the cap and twist it onto the chamber. Stand it on a sturdy mug.
- Add one heaping scoop, or 16 to 18g, of medium ground coffee. Shake to level it.
- Pour water to the 4 mark, stir for about 3 seconds, insert the plunger slightly to stop drips, and wait 60 seconds.
- Press gently until you hear a hiss.
Our best AeroPress alternative guide covers other manual brewers if you’re still choosing kit.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a large pot at once. The AeroPress makes one or two cups at a time.
Downsides
- Pre-ground is a compromise. It won’t be exactly medium-fine, and it goes stale faster than whole beans once opened.
- We couldn’t check Tesco, Asda, Ocado or Waitrose, which blocked our checks.
- Small bags cost more per kilo. Compare the price per kilo on the shelf label or listing, not just the pack price.
- Freshness matters as much as brand. Buy a bag you’ll finish within a few weeks of opening, and keep it sealed in a cool, dark cupboard.
FAQ
What grind does AeroPress recommend? Medium-fine, per AeroPress’s FAQ. Its how-to guide says store-bought medium ground coffee also works.
What water temperature for AeroPress? AeroPress suggests about 85°C for light and medium roasts and 80°C for dark roasts.
Can you use espresso ground coffee in an AeroPress? AeroPress warns that very fine particles block the flow and make it hard to press, so a medium-fine grind is better.
How much coffee for one AeroPress cup? AeroPress suggests one heaping scoop, about 14g, as a starting point. Its how-to guide says 16 to 18g of store-bought medium ground coffee.