FAQ About Coffee

The Chemex brewing method is a pour-over coffee brewing technique that utilizes a specially designed glass coffee maker called the Chemex. It was invented by German chemist Peter Schlumbohm in 1941 and is known for its elegant design and ability to produce a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. Here's how the Chemex brewing method works:

Gather Equipment and Ingredients:

• Chemex: The Chemex consists of an hourglass-shaped glass vessel with a narrow neck and a wooden or glass handle.
• Chemex filter: Use specially designed Chemex filters, which are thicker and provide a cleaner cup of coffee.
• Coarsely ground coffee: Use a grinder to achieve a medium-coarse grind size.

Prepare the Chemex and Rinse the Filter:

• Place a Chemex filter in the top portion of the Chemex, ensuring that the triple-folded side of the filter is facing the pouring spout.
• Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the Chemex. Discard the rinse water.

Add Coffee Grounds:

• Add the desired amount of coarsely ground coffee to the rinsed filter. The general ratio is 1:15, meaning 1 part coffee to 15 parts water, but you can adjust according to your taste preference.

Bloom and Pour:

• Start a timer and slowly pour a small amount of hot water (twice the weight of the coffee grounds) over the coffee, making sure to saturate all the grounds. Allow the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds. This initial pour allows the coffee to release gases and bloom, enhancing flavor extraction.
• After the blooming period, slowly pour the remaining hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward. Pouring should be steady and controlled, allowing the water to interact with all the grounds evenly.
• Maintain a consistent water flow rate, ensuring that the water level remains below the top edge of the Chemex to prevent overflow.

Steep and Drain:

• Once you've poured all the water, allow the coffee to steep and drain through the filter gradually. The entire process typically takes around 3-4 minutes.
• As the coffee filters through, the Chemex will hold the brewed coffee in the bottom portion while the filter captures any sediment and oils, resulting in a clean and bright cup of coffee.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Once the coffee has completely drained, remove the filter and discard it, along with the coffee grounds.
• Pour the brewed coffee from the Chemex into cups or a carafe, taking care not to agitate the settled grounds at the bottom.
• The Chemex brewing method produces a clean, well-extracted cup of coffee with bright flavors and a light to medium body.