Welcome to the world of Chemex brewing! Known for its elegant design and rich, flavorful coffee, the Chemex is a favorite among coffee enthusiasts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to brew the perfect cup of Chemex coffee, complete with exact measurements and comparisons to regular drip coffee and single pour-overs. Plus, we’ve included links for the best products to enhance your brewing experience.
What You Need
- Chemex brewer
- Chemex filters
- Burr grinder
- Digital scale
- Kettle (preferably a gooseneck kettle)
- Fresh coffee beans
- Timer
Step 1: Measure and Grind Your Coffee Start by measuring 42 grams of coffee beans. This will make about 700 ml (24 oz) of coffee, ideal for 3-4 cups. Grind the beans to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to sea salt. The grind size is crucial for the perfect extraction.
Step 2: Prepare Your Chemex Place a Chemex filter in the brewer with the triple-fold portion facing the spout. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste and to preheat the Chemex. Discard the rinsing water.
Step 3: Bloom Your Coffee Add the ground coffee to the filter. Start your timer and pour enough hot water (just off the boil, around 200°F) to saturate the grounds (about 84 ml or 3 oz). Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds. This step releases any carbon dioxide and ensures even extraction.
Step 4: Continue Pouring After the bloom, continue pouring water in a slow, circular motion, adding water every 10-15 seconds to maintain the water level until you reach 700 ml (24 oz). The total brew time should be about 4 minutes.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Coffee Once the brewing process is complete, remove the filter and pour the coffee into your cup. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Flavor Profile: Chemex vs. Drip vs. Pour-Over The Chemex brews a clean, pure, and flavorful cup of coffee. It typically highlights the coffee’s aromatic qualities and maintains a smooth texture. In contrast, regular drip coffee can sometimes taste over-extracted and bitter due to less control over the brewing process. Single pour-overs, while similar to Chemex in clarity and flavor profile, often result in a slightly different texture and taste depending on the filter and technique used.
Why Chemex Stands Out
- Clarity of Flavor: The thick filter of the Chemex results in a coffee with less bitterness and sediment.
- Control over Extraction: The manual process of Chemex brewing allows for a more precise and even extraction.
- Aesthetic and Experience: The Chemex offers a visually appealing brewing process and is perfect for entertaining guests.
Brewing coffee with a Chemex is both an art and a science. It brings out the best in your coffee beans, offering a unique experience and a delightful cup of coffee. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or new to the Chemex, we hope this guide helps you on your journey to brewing perfection.
Happy brewing!
