Pick one path and stick with it for a week. If you're on Path A, follow the recipe exactly every morning. If you're on Path B, change one variable each day. After a week, you'll have a baseline you can trust. The AeroPress is a forgiving brewer, but it rewards consistency. Once you've fixed the watery problem, you can start experimenting with different beans and brew times to find your perfect cup.

If you're using a budget-friendly coffee, freshness matters too. Check the roast date on the bag—coffee that's more than a month old will taste flat and watery no matter how you brew it. And if you're looking for a reliable, affordable coffee to practice with, the RAMI Coffee merch page has options that won't break the bank.