After more than a year, I find that I use it a lot more than I expected to. In fact, I almost never use the original piece that came with the Aeropress because the Prismo can do a full immersion brew without the hassle of the inverted method. I also like to switch between metal and paper to see how it affects the taste of the same coffee beans. If you’re an AeroPress enthusiast, you’re almost certainly aware of the inverted method. It was developed because when using the AeroPress, as initially designed by inventor Alan Adler, some water would start leaking through or around the paper filter even before the plunger was pushed ( 4). This led to under-extracted coffee and eliminated the possibility of long steep times. To avoid this effect and achieve a more balanced flavor profile, many baristas started setting up their AeroPress upside down – aka the inverted method. Is it possible to make real espresso with an AeroPress? No, sorry to say, but the laws of physics forbid it. However, it is possible to get a little closer, which Fellow promises with the Fellow Prismo AeroPress attachment.

I have seen some users compare the Flow Control Filter Cap favorably to the Prismo. Allegedly, it’s more suitable for use in conjunction with paper filters, offers better sealing, and compatibility with smaller cups. The nozzle design prevents choking and clogging, allowing for a more convincing espresso-like drink. Crema is the initial light/tawny colored liquid that comes out during an espresso extraction. It is what causes that ‘Guinness effect’ that folks sometimes reference. As the lighter liquid infuses with the darker liquid that comes after, it filters up and ‘settles’, leaving a tan colored layer on top of the darker espresso below.” Compatible With Shot Glasses — Valve aperture allows you to brew directly into sturdy shot glasses, rather than having to brew into a larger server first. This product includes: Bialetti. (n.d.). How the Moka works: lift the lid and discover all its secrets. Retrieved from https://www.bialetti.com/it_en/inspiration/post/how-the-moka-works Once again, this method does produce a crema. And the results are a genuine improvement on the method 1 results.The AeroPress is compact, portable, and easy to use, making it a favorite among travelers, campers, and those with limited kitchen space. Plus, it's incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with various brewing techniques to find your perfect cup. I was a bit skeptical when I first tried Aesir filters, but I was sold after that first brew. The coffee’s clarity and taste were seriously impressive. Nosowitz, D. (2012, June 12). FYI: What is Espresso? Retrieved from https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-06/fyi-what-espresso/

So, now that I have my new Prismo attached and some fresh coffee beans ground down to a very fine grind (number 1-2 on the OXO burr grinder are the best settings I’ve found so far), I’m ready to brew espresso style coffee. Fellow Prismo Filter Quality: It's reported that the metal filter on the Prismo can let a little grit through, but a quality grinder and proper grind size can reduce this. If you prefer a full bodied coffee and enjoy darker roasts the paper filter option is probably the way to go.

Espresso Recipe

Pour in 20g of fine ground coffee into your AeroPress chamber. As in method 1, use a paper filter to tamp the coffee grounds. This is partly due to the one-way valve and higher brew pressure, but just as important is the metal filter, which allows more coffee oils through into the final cup – like when you brew with a French press. With the Prismo you can do the same thing much more easily. Plus, you get the added advantages of a metal filter. Well, yes and no! Our opinion was divided owing to the precarious balance of pros and cons. The Fellow Prismo is an exceptional and innovative device—and there are areas where it shines. But it also fails to impress in other areas. Below is an overview of our “pros and “cons” of the Fellow Prismo. Sidenote: Alan Adler was always very conservative when it came to releasing new products, but the new owners have already announced a range of new gadgets to be released soon

Mouthfeel: Users report that the paper filters used with the Flow Control Filter Cap give a slightly cleaner taste and thinner mouthfeel than the Prismo's metal filter. This can be important for those who value a clean and light cup of coffee, especially for lighter and delicate flavors. The Prismo’s valve has a relatively small opening—allowing for the production of the pressure necessary to pull concentrated “espresso-style” coffee. While this coffee does not entirely compare to espresso from a modern espresso machine, it comes closer than can otherwise be produced by an Aeropress. Many use the crema as a sort of benchmark for espresso quality. But in reality, the appearance and even the existence of the crema means very little in terms of flavor. You could pull a shot of terribly roasted, awful tasting espresso that has a gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing crema. Alternatively, you could pull a shot of delicious and complex espresso with very little crema at all. That’s because the appearance and existence of the crema has more to do with variables in the coffee bean itself, like varietal, processing, roast date, and roast level than the actual quality of the bean or the skill of the barista. Fellow Prismo Environmentally Friendly: The sustainable and reusable stainless steel metal filter is environmentally friendly.Comes with a metal filter: The Prismo is a decent way of owning an otherwise pricey metal filter for your AeroPress. Absolutely! The Prismo’s pressure actuated valve with the no drip seal is perfect for cold and hot brews alike. The Prismo was first introduced to the world in late 2017. Since then, it’s been gaining popularity with AeroPress users everywhere. It’s a genuine insider method that was discovered by trial and error and experimentation. But I’m not satisfied leaving it untapped. So here it is for you! The Double Filter Fellow Prismo Reveal The Fellow Prismo is a pressure-actuated attachment for the AeroPress. It makes full immersion espresso-style coffee, without needing to use the inverted method.