How to make coffee in a Chemex?

The Chemex is not a cute hipster vase. This is one of the most photogenic, most Instagrammed coffee brewing methods and a favorite of ours at Café Cohete. This brewing method results in a clean, light drink that brings out coffee attributes like acidity.

This coffee maker was invented by the German Peter Schlumbohm in the 1940s, when he was living in the United States. Its conception was based on an Erlenmeyer flask and a glass funnel. In addition to its shape, the paper filters are very important for the preparation.

Its design is so iconic that it has even been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) and has appeared in series such as 'Friends', 'Mad Men', 'Brooklyn 99' and the film 'Interstellar'.

This coffee maker comes in several sizes, although the most popular are the three-cup and six-cup sizes. The former has a capacity, according to its manufacturer, of one pint (473 ml) while the latter has a capacity of 30 ounces (about 850 ml of water).

Ingredients and utensils:

• Chemex coffee maker
• Chemex paper filter
• Medium ground coffee (approximately 40 grams per 600 ml of water)
• Hot water (between 93°C and 96°C)
• Gramera (optional)
• Timer (optional)
• Spoon
• Cup

Preparation:

1. Fold and insert the filter: Typically 6-cup Chemex filters come pre-folded, so insert it making sure all three sides of the filter stick to the glass walls. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the coffee maker. Discard the rinse water.
2. Add the ground coffee: Add the medium-grain ground coffee to the Chemex. If you're using a measuring cup, the ideal ratio is 40 grams of coffee per 600 ml of water.
3. Initial saturation: Pour a small amount of hot water (about 50ml) over the ground coffee, making sure to moisten it completely. Let it sit for 30 seconds to allow the coffee to "bloom" and release its gases. This is known as pre-infusion.
4. Main Pour: Begin pouring the remaining hot water in slow circular motions, starting from the center of the ground coffee and expanding out to the edges. Avoid pouring water directly onto the edges of the filter. Pour the entire amount of water (600 ml) over a period of 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Remove the filter and enjoy: Once all the water has passed through the ground coffee, carefully remove the filter from the Chemex. Pour the coffee immediately into your favorite mug and enjoy a clean, flavorful cup brewed in the Chemex.

Additional Tips:

• Use high-quality fresh ground coffee for the best flavor.
• Experiment with different ratios of coffee to water to find your preference.
• The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee in a Chemex is between 93°C and 96°C. If you don't have a thermometer, you can remove the water from the heat just before it boils.
• Move the spout of the water pitcher slightly in circular motions while pouring to ensure an even extraction.
• Do not press the ground coffee with the spoon, as this may affect the flavor.
• Clean your Chemex with hot water immediately after each use to prevent oil and coffee residue from building up.

Enjoy your coffee in a Chemex!

Photo by Elin Melaas on Unsplash