CHEMEX BREWING GUIDE
The Chemex Coffeemaker was invented in 1941 by Dr. Peter Schlumbohm PhD. Made simply from non-porous, borosilicate glass, it brews coffee without imparting any flavors of its own. On permanent display at MOMA New York and other fine museums, it is truly a work of art.
The Chemex consists of an narrow-waist glass flask and uses proprietary paper filters, made of chemically bonded paper (of thicker-gauge paper than the standard paper filters for a drip-method coffeemaker).
We love the Chemex for the clean and crisp cup it produces.
RATIO: 1:16 (i.e. 25g coffee, 400g water)
GRIND: Like kosher salt
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
- Chemex
- Chemex Filters
- 25g of Coffee
- Water Kettle
- Scale
- Grinder
STEP 1
PREPARE INGREDIENTS
Rinse filter with boiling water and discard water. Replace filter, positioning the three folds toward the spout.
Weigh out coffee according to the recipe you’re making (25g for one cup, 50g for two.) Fill kettle and heat water.
STEP 2
WEIGH & GRIND
Grind coffee similar to kosher salt. Weigh coffee into Chemex (25 grams for one cup, 50 grams for two cups).
STEP 3
BREW
Just after boiling, remove kettle and let water settle. Start timer and pour enough water to just saturate coffee bed (about 50g for one cup and 100g for two.)
Let it bloom for 30 seconds.
Pro tip: Allowing the coffee to bloom (or expand before adding more water) ensures even water dispersion and a delicious cup.
Pouring slowly in concentric circles, add enough water to raise slurry about halfway up the cone.
Use a spoon to submerge all of the coffee grounds, then continue adding water slowly in stages, keeping the slurry at least halfway up the cone.
Try to add all water by 3:00. Pour into center of Chemex, raising the level of the slurry toward the end, if needed, in order to add all water in appropriate time.
Once you’ve added all of your water (400g for one cup, 800g for two), give the slurry a final stir and let drain (aiming for flat or slightly domed bed).
The final brew time should be around 4:00 minutes.
STEP 4
SWIRL & SERVE
Remove the filter.
Give the Chemex a good swirl to incorporate all the different extractions into one balanced cup.
Pour into a mug you pre-heated with some hot water and enjoy!