Wednesday

GIVEAWAY!! Come smell the (delicious) coffee . . .



Recently I was asked by a representative from the Aerobie Company to try out and share my opinions of their Aero Press 1 to 4 cup Coffee and Espresso Maker.

I was a little skeptical at first ~ because over the years, like many of you who drink and make your own coffee ~ I've had all kinds of coffee makers; electric coffee makers, French Presses, etc. Then about 5 years ago or so we invested heavily in a completely automatic Italian Saeco espresso machine (it cost a bit under two thousand dollars at the time.) We live miles away from town, out in the country side so taking a quick jaunt to the coffee house is not an option. We wanted GREAT coffee and espresso at home. The Saeco is an impressive machine and works like a champ turning out very good coffee and espresso, we've been very happy with it.
But it is huge and takes up a lot of valuable counter space.

So I was curious by the simplicity and size of the AeroPress® especially after reading the fabulous reviews over on amazon.com.  Over 700 POSITIVE (5 star) reviews ~ those numbers are mind boggling compared to other products on amazon. You can take a look at the reviews HERE.
The AeroPress is THE highest rated coffee maker on the internet.


The good news?

One lucky winner of our drawing will have a chance to win an AeroPress!




The AeroPress arrived in this neat box ~




Look at that ~  simple instructions; and Made in the U.S.A.! 
(Sadly, you don't see that on many products anymore.)


So here's what comes in the box (everything except the coffee & the background cups/spoons):




There is also a stand included, which I did not picture here . . . oops.



Filter receptacle, filter screen and micro filters.


You'll want the grind of coffee to be anywhere between drip and espresso grind.

You can grind yourself at the grocery store or have your favorite barista at your coffee shop grind it to order for you.



But you know what?

I grind my own at home using this compact Krups® grinder:



Because they are so small, easy to store, and inexpensive I actually have two.*
I use the black one for coffee exclusively and the white one 


is used for grinding herbs and spices. 

*This is a  brilliant tip I learned from Julia Child years ago, gotta have two of these! :)


They are workhorses ~ I've had them for years, they do a marvelous job of grinding in just seconds. They can handle whole coffee beans with no problem ~ and if you have regular ground coffee ~you can grind it even finer (espresso grind) by whirring it for a moment in the Krups.


Here is how simple it is to make perfect cup(s) using the AeroPress:


To make from 1 to 4 cups of  American coffee or Italian style espresso ~

Place the filter chamber with filter in place over your cup or mug,
add the ground coffee.




Pour boiling water into the chamber . . .
and stir with the provided stirrer for a few seconds, if necessary.

We find that simply the process of pouring the water into the chamber aerates the ground coffee really well ~  see what works best for you.





Insert plunger into the chamber and press gently for 20 seconds:




You can add more hot water for American-style coffee,
or add milk for a latte.



Our evaluation?

We were both remarkably impressed with the AeroPress ~
a quick and easy way to make an amazingly rich, smooth cup of American coffee or  deep, strong espresso style coffee. I recommend it, and can see why it has received over 700 excellent (5-star) reviews on amazon.com



Other reasons to love your AeroPress . . .

 As long as you can boil water you can have an excellent cup of coffee. 

1.) Dependable ~ This is especially important to me as my house is "all electric", power losses are frequent in the winter. Electric coffee makers (including the mammoth Saeco) are useless with no electricity. However I have an inexpensive butane powered, single burner stove for use during those times ~ I can boil water, so we can still have excellent coffee, anytime.

2.) Simple to use, and no mechanical parts. And the units are DURABLE, they will not break like the glass French coffee presses are apt to do.

3.)  Portable ~ For travel, camping, backpacking, etc.

4.)  Economical ~  Save the money you spend at the coffee shop. Makes even bargain brand coffee taste like a million bucks ~ smooth, with no bitterness.

5.) Easy to clean!

6.)  Takes up virtually no countertop "real estate", as most other coffee makers do.


Important note: The questions have been asked an answered ~ the material the from which the AeroPress is made contains no harmful plastics




You know what else?
 
The $$$$ Saeco has been on 'vacation' since the AeroPress arrived at out house about a month ago. That's how good a cup of java the AeroPress produces. I sure would like to have the counter top free of that monster . . . and after using the AeroPress that seems like it could be a real possibility!  Believe me, I'm ready.



Drawing details ~

Entries will be accepted until Saturday, November 26th at 9 PM Pacific time.)

YAY! This contest is open to entrants in the USA as well as our friends in Canada!!


Here are the rules:

1.) Just leave a comment here stating that you'd like a chance to win an AeroPress.

2.) Double your chances by being a Google friend follower (side bar at the top), and say so in your comment.

3.) Be, (or become) a Once Upon a Plate follower on facebook for another chance to win (and please state so in your comment so your name can be entered again.)

Winner will be announced Sunday, November 27th.


Good luck to everyone who enters!


Psst . . . If you're not feeling so lucky ~ 

You can secure your own AeroPress right here






I can highly recommend it!






A most excellent cup of coffee ~ I agree with those 700+ 5 star ratings on amazon.com.  AeroPress easily gets 5 stars at my house, too.

*************

Thank you for entering everyone ~ Entries are now closed.

Winner will be announced shortly!  :) 


81 comments:

  1. Wow! I would love a chance to win this new little quick way to get a cup of espresso. Your photos made my mouth water for a cup!!Hugs!

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  2. Such lovely photos. This would be perfect for my husband who is always conflicted over making an entire pot of coffee when he only wants to drink one cup.

    Thanks for another great giveaway!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  3. Would love to win it - thanks for the opportunity...

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  4. would love to win a new way to get my caffeine fix!

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  5. I've heard about the AeroPress elsewhere. I'd really like to win one, please.

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  6. What a great give-away! I'd love to try it, thanks for the chance Mari:@)

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  7. Following (subscribed to) you on facebook.

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  8. I'm not so into the give aways, but I do enjoy your blog and wanted to stop by and say hello. Even for give aways, your staging is beautiful.

    - The Tablescaper

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  9. I would love to find a new way to make coffee. I have had my problems recently.

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  10. Oh I'm such a coffee drinker! Thank you so much for the chance, I'd love to win this great thing to make myself my own cup of coffee! Always been your follower. Hugs, FABBY

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  11. I can almost smell that coffee from here. Count me in, please! This looks so easy to use!

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  12. Great staging of your giveaway and I enjoy and love your blog! Hugs,
    FABBY

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  13. I am a follower! Oh, you did a great review by the way!

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  14. I've been a follower for a few weeks now, and am forever tempted. I'm also a coffee fanatic and would love to be ebtered in the giveaway--thank you!

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  15. wow! would love to try this product. follow blog and google follower.

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  16. OH my goodness this would be perfect for me! I am the only coffee drinker in my house, so making just enough coffee for me in my 12-cup drip coffee maker always feels a little funny... but this?? This would be perfect :)

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  17. I subscribed/followed on facebook :)

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  18. I am a follower of your blog. Great giveaway.

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  19. This sounds wonderfull. Thank you!

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  20. My daughter is a coffee lover. I'd love to gift this to her. It's a neat concept.

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  21. I am one of your facebook followers. (Rust Hawk).

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  22. I love the smell of a great cup of coffee. This would really help me make one.

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  23. I would love to win the AeroPress coffee maker. Great giveaway!
    Thanks! Love your blog.

    Mary L

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  24. I am now a Google follower! Thanks!

    Mary L

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  25. I would love to win this fabulous item. My barista/ espresso machine bit the dust and like you, would rather have something that doesn't take up so much room on my counter.
    Thanks for the review and chance to win.

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  26. Hi Mari !
    I would love to have one of these! and I am a google follower :)

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  27. A friend of mine has this and loves it. I think it would be nice low tech coffee maker.

    I see your Apilco cups ;)

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  28. Wow, sounds like a wonderful product. I would love to win my own AeroPress and give it a try. I can't wait to "retired" my own espresso machine and free up some counter top space! ;)

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  29. I'm your follower on GFC

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  30. Following you on Facebook too.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  31. Oohh! More counter space and great coffee at the same time ? Pinch me I have died and gone to heaven - LOL !

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  32. I haven't had a decent cup of coffee since our super-automatic Saeco died a few months ago! I'd love a chance to win!

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  33. I am already a follower, but I just subscribed to your wonderful blog!

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  34. I just started drinking coffee a few months back and I would love to learn how to make a good cup of coffee!

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  35. I'm here for the delicious coffee~ I hope it comes with a tin of your Decadent Cappuccino Bars!! Please enter me in your giveaway, but I'm glad to know that Santa can afford to put one of these in my stocking this year!

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  36. Oh yes! I'd love to have an AeroPress. My only other coffee maker won't make less than 6 cups, decently.

    I'm a follower on facebook.

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  37. I'm a Google friend follower & on Facebook too & I'd love a chance to win an AeroPress! My husband doesn't drink coffee so I always just go out = $$$! This would be perfect for our solo-drinker-household!

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  38. I would love to win the AeroPress!

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  39. I follow you on Facebook and would love to win the AeroPress! Your page is amazing!! I am Serious Food for the Soul : )

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  40. Oh I'd love to win and might I say the photos of the darling cups and spoons are lovely. I subscribe to your blog via facebook and Gmail

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  41. Ooh, I'd love to win the AeroPress! Thanks!

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  42. Ooh, I'd love a chance to win the AeroPress.

    Thanks!

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  43. I would love a chance to win this! And I'm a follower! Seems like a perfect tool for a busy graduate student!

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  44. Hi Mari,
    Thanks for publishing info and photos on the Aeropress coffee maker. I'm like you; have bought several different types of coffee machines trying to find the best one for making espressos and lattes. I'd love to win one to try out. Thanks so much. Judy Palmer (secretforest@planttel.net)

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  45. That looks great. I would love to win the AeroPress.

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  46. Wow... what a unique coffee maker. Thanks for this great giveaway.

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  47. My husband and I are always looking for a way to make a great cup of coffee at home. I'd love to try this!

    I'm also a Google Friend Follower and love your posts.

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  48. I would love a chance to win this Mary...
    I could have used it during our last 5 day power outage for sure. I missed my coffee so badly. My old espresso maker was in really bad shape when I dug it out. I finally got a one cup Melitta drip at the supermarket, but this looks much better...
    I am not usually all that lucky...but i will cross my fingers and toes...
    You know I am a fan everywhere i can be!
    L~xo

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  49. I'd love to win this!! Love your site, too!

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  50. OOOOH finally a Giveaway I can enter. And what is great is I have been actually considering buying an AeroPress. I look at them everytime I stop to get a coffee on my way to work. They are $49.00 here, so I debated buying one. But now that I've read your review that might change.

    I'm a Once Upon a Plate follower, a facebook follower and a Google friend. I have all the bases covered.

    Thanks Mary.

    Ann

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  51. This would make such a great stocking stuffer for my hubby. I'd love to win.

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  52. I'm a follower of your blog. Love it.

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  53. Thanks for the great giveaway!! lilsis_75@hotmail.com

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  54. I would love to win such a cool device so my husband could taste what great coffee should taste like!

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  55. I am a slave to coffee and would love to win this.

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  56. Awesome holiday table pics! Impressive and I love those bird plates! Where did you find those?? Also, would love a chance to win the Aeropress! I just became a follower of your blog.

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  57. I have never tried a press so I would love to win this!

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  58. Oh how I'd love to win the press.

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  59. Thank you for the chance to win this!

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  60. Thanks for entering everyone ~ Entries are now CLOSED! Winner will be announced shortly. :)

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