Lukas Zahradnik

The Shift in Competitive Brewing For years, the World AeroPress Championship evolved into a theater of excess. Champions like Filip Kucharczyk abandoned traditional ratios for high-dose concentrates, using up to 35 grams of coffee to create a potent base subsequently diluted with water. While effective for winning trophies, this approach drifted far from the practical reality of home brewing. New regulations now cap coffee usage at 18 grams, forcing a return to technique over raw material volume. This review examines how these constraints impact the final cup profile. The Traditional vs. The Bypass Two distinct philosophies emerged under the new 18-gram limit. The first mirrors Alan Adler's original vision: a standard immersion brew with a 2:15 total time. The second is a scaled-down bypass method, brewing a 75-gram concentrate before diluting. Testing both with a washed Ethiopia Adado, the difference in extraction becomes immediate. The traditional method favors sweetness and a rounded, syrupy body. It feels complete, yet perhaps lacks the punch required to stand out in a sensory lineup. Sensory Analysis: Acidity Wins the Day The bypass method remains the superior choice for competition. By limiting the initial water contact, it prevents the development of bitter, "coffee-like" notes that often plague longer immersions. The result is a cup that bursts with floral and peachy acidity. While the body is thinner and more juice-like than the traditional counterpart, the clarity of flavor is undeniable. It showcases the Comandante grinder's precision, delivering a vibrant intensity that grabs a judge's attention instantly. The Verdict on Technique If your goal is a comforting, balanced morning cup, the standard immersion brew is your ally. However, the bypass method is the clear winner for those seeking to highlight the terroir of specialty beans. It provides a level of brightness and boldness that traditional immersion struggles to match under restricted doses. The bypass isn't just a trend; it's a technical maneuver that coaxes the most interesting fruit notes from the bean.