The Chemex is a unique coffee brewing method known for its elegant design and ability to produce a clean, crisp cup of coffee. This pour-over method uses specially designed filters that are thicker than standard paper filters, resulting in a coffee that is smooth, bright, and free of any bitterness or sediment. The Chemex is perfect for those who appreciate a clean, flavorful brew, with an emphasis on clarity and aroma.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to brew coffee with a Chemex, along with some tips to help you achieve the best possible cup.
1. What Is a Chemex?
The Chemex is a pour-over coffee maker made of glass, designed by Dr. Peter Schlumbohm in 1941. It has a distinctive hourglass shape and uses specially designed paper filters that are thicker than regular filters. These filters remove most of the oils and fine particles from the coffee, resulting in a clean cup with a light, crisp body. While the Chemex is a manual brewing method, it allows for a high degree of control over the brewing process.
Why Brew Coffee with a Chemex?
- Clean and crisp flavor: The thick filters remove most oils, leaving behind a coffee that’s clean and flavorful.
- Full control: The pour-over method allows you to control the water temperature, pour rate, and coffee-to-water ratio for a customizable brewing experience.
- Beautiful design: The Chemex’s elegant glass design and smooth curves make it a stylish addition to any kitchen.
2. Choosing the Right Coffee Beans
The quality of your coffee beans plays a big role in the final flavor of your Chemex brew. Since the Chemex produces a clean cup, it’s best to use coffee beans with bright, complex flavors that can shine through without being overwhelmed by bitterness.
Best Beans for Chemex:
- Light to medium roast beans: These beans are ideal for Chemex brewing because they highlight the natural flavors of the coffee, such as fruity, floral, or nutty notes.
- Single-origin beans: Beans from regions like Ethiopia, Kenya, or Colombia often work well in a Chemex, as they tend to have bright, complex flavors that benefit from the clean extraction.
- Freshly roasted beans: Always use freshly roasted beans, preferably within two weeks of roasting, for the best flavor.
Tip:
For a light, aromatic cup, choose a light roast from a high-quality, single-origin bean. If you prefer a richer, more balanced cup, try a medium roast.
3. Grinding the Coffee
Grinding your coffee beans correctly is key to making the best cup of coffee with a Chemex. Since the Chemex uses a pour-over method, you’ll need to use a medium to coarse grind. A grind that is too fine can cause over-extraction, resulting in bitterness, while a grind that is too coarse can lead to under-extraction, producing weak coffee.
How to Grind:
- Medium to coarse grind: The grind should resemble sea salt—slightly finer than what you would use for a French press, but coarser than what you would use for espresso.
- Burr grinder: Use a burr grinder to ensure a consistent grind size. A blade grinder can create uneven grounds, which may lead to an inconsistent brew.
Tip:
If your coffee tastes too weak, try a slightly finer grind. If it’s too bitter, try a coarser grind.
4. Measuring the Coffee and Water
The coffee-to-water ratio is crucial when brewing coffee with a Chemex. The standard ratio is about 1 to 15 (1 part coffee to 15 parts water), but you can adjust this depending on how strong you want your coffee.
How to Measure:
- For a 3-cup Chemex, use 21 grams of coffee and 315 milliliters of water.
- For a 6-cup Chemex, use 42 grams of coffee and 630 milliliters of water.
Tip:
For a stronger brew, you can increase the amount of coffee. For a milder brew, decrease the coffee slightly.
5. Boiling and Pouring the Water
The Chemex requires precise control over the water temperature. The ideal temperature for brewing coffee is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C). If the water is too hot, it can over-extract the coffee, causing bitterness. If it’s too cold, it won’t extract enough flavor.
How to Boil the Water:
- Boil water and then let it cool for about 30 seconds, so it reaches the ideal brewing temperature.
- If you have a gooseneck kettle, use it for a controlled, even pour.
How to Pour:
- Start by pouring a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, just enough to saturate them. This is called the bloom stage, and it allows the coffee to release carbon dioxide, which can affect the extraction.
- Wait for about 30 seconds to let the coffee bloom.
- After the bloom, pour the remaining water in slow, controlled circles, allowing the water to fully saturate the coffee grounds. Pour in stages to avoid flooding the filter and ensure even extraction.
Tip:
Pour the water slowly and evenly to prevent channeling, where water flows through the coffee unevenly, causing an uneven extraction.
6. Brewing Time
The ideal brewing time for Chemex is between 4 and 5 minutes. The brewing time can vary depending on the grind size, pour rate, and coffee-to-water ratio.
How to Brew:
- After pouring the water over the coffee grounds, allow the coffee to drain through the filter.
- The process should take about 4 to 5 minutes, but this can vary depending on your grind size and pour technique.
Tip:
If your brew is taking too long (over 5 minutes), your grind may be too fine. If it’s too quick (under 4 minutes), the grind might be too coarse.
7. Serving and Enjoying
Once the coffee has brewed, it’s time to serve and enjoy your delicious Chemex coffee. The Chemex produces a clean, flavorful cup that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for milk-based drinks.
Tip:
Pour the brewed coffee into a pre-warmed cup to preserve its temperature. Chemex coffee is best enjoyed fresh, so try to drink it within 15-30 minutes of brewing for the best flavor.
Conclusion
Brewing coffee with a Chemex is a rewarding experience that allows you to create a clean, crisp cup of coffee with a focus on clarity and flavor. By choosing the right coffee beans, adjusting your grind size, and controlling the water temperature and pouring technique, you can brew a cup of coffee that is rich, aromatic, and full of complexity.
With practice, you’ll be able to fine-tune your Chemex brewing technique to suit your personal taste, and enjoy a delicious, artisanal cup of coffee every time.