Andrew Berdan

At my office, we have developed a technique for making coffee with surgical precision. This technique has seen us through some rough times — late nights, big crunches, and office-party hangovers.

The Gear:

1. Water Filtration unit, plumbed in, and providing hot water.
2. Aeropress
3. Blade Coffee Grinder (we haven’t invested in a burr grinder yet)
4. Whole Bean Coffee
5. Kettle
6. Metal Pitcher (the same kind used for steaming milk)

The Rules:

1. First person that wants coffee makes it. If multiple people want it at the same time, they can pair up. More than two chefs get in the way.
2. Whoever is making the coffee is required to ask all coffee-drinking individuals in the office if they want coffee (and optionally other occasional drinkers). If people are wearing headphones, it is appropriate at this time to interrupt their listening experience.
3. Individuals drinking coffee are expected to produce their mugs. They will not be washed, unless said individual has done so themselves.
4. Coffee is produced in the following manner:
   1. Fill kettle with filtered, hot-but-not-boiling water, and plug it in.
   2. Fill grinder with 1 scoop of whole beans per coffee-drinking individual, and grind to appropriate level.
   3. Make coffee with freshly boiled water, through aeropress, over top of the metal pitcher.
   4. All accoutréments are either put away, or cleaned immediately and put onto a drying rack.
5. Metal pitcher filled with delicious coffee concentrate is used to evenly distribute coffee to mugs from step #3. If mugs have not been produced, fair distribution is not guaranteed.
6. Remainder of kettle water may used to make americano-style coffee from the concentrate, as per normal aeropress procedure. If kettle water is exhausted, water filtration unit may be used to make a not-quite-so-hot cup of coffee. Individuals desiring such may also add cinnamon, vanilla, or other additives.

Interestingly enough, we never really discussed any of this. It’s just what evolved over time and works for us. This works very well for up to 4 coffee drinkers. Beyond that, a second aeropress pressing has to be done, and things break down a bit.