The Coffee Kits

Easy and Effective Ways to Fold Chemex Filters

If you are a coffee enthusiast, you must have heard about Chemex. It is a type of coffee maker that uses a special kind of filter to produce a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. However, the Chemex filter can be a bit intimidating at first glance. It is a thick piece of paper that needs to be folded in a specific way to fit the coffee maker. In this article, we will discuss easy and effective ways to fold Chemex filters.

Why is it important to fold Chemex filters correctly?

Before we dive into the different ways to fold Chemex filters, let's understand why it is important to fold them correctly. The Chemex filter is designed to remove the unwanted oils and sediments from the coffee, resulting in a clean and crisp cup of coffee. If the filter is not folded correctly, it can result in a weak or bitter cup of coffee. Therefore, it is essential to fold the Chemex filter correctly to get the best possible cup of coffee.

The Classic Fold

The classic fold is the most common way to fold Chemex filters. It is simple to do and requires no extra tools or skills. Here are the steps to do the classic fold: 1. Start by placing the Chemex filter on a flat surface, with the side with three layers facing the spout. 2. Fold the filter in half, making sure that the edges are aligned. 3. Fold it in half again, this time aligning the edges with the spout. 4. Open up the filter and shape it into a cone. 5. Place the filter into the Chemex, with the side with three layers facing the spout. 6. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste.

The Pre-wet Fold

The pre-wet fold is a variation of the classic fold. It involves pre-wetting the filter before folding it. This method can help to remove any paper taste and also helps to shape the filter into a cone. Here are the steps to do the pre-wet fold: 1. Start by placing the Chemex filter on a flat surface, with the side with three layers facing the spout. 2. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste. 3. Fold the filter in half, making sure that the edges are aligned. 4. Fold it in half again, this time aligning the edges with the spout. 5. Open up the filter and shape it into a cone. 6. Place the filter into the Chemex, with the side with three layers facing the spout.

The Half-Moon Fold

The half-moon fold is a more advanced way to fold Chemex filters. It creates a smaller surface area for the coffee to filter through, resulting in a slower and more even extraction. Here are the steps to do the half-moon fold: 1. Start by placing the Chemex filter on a flat surface, with the side with three layers facing up. 2. Fold the filter in half, making sure that the edges are aligned. 3. Fold the filter in half again, this time aligning the edges with the opposite side. 4. Fold the filter in half again, this time aligning the edges with the spout. 5. Open up the filter and shape it into a cone. 6. Place the filter into the Chemex, with the side with three layers facing the spout. 7. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste.

Conclusion

Folding Chemex filters can seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature. The classic fold is the easiest and most common way to fold Chemex filters. The pre-wet fold can help to remove any paper taste and shape the filter into a cone. The half-moon fold is a more advanced way to fold Chemex filters and can result in a slower and more even extraction. Experiment with the different ways to fold Chemex filters and find the one that works best for you. Happy brewing!