The Coffee Kits

The Art of Pouring: Techniques for Chemex Coffee Brewing

Chemex brewing is a method of coffee making that has been around for decades. The Chemex coffee maker is a beautiful and elegant glass vessel that is used to create a clean, rich, and flavorful cup of coffee. The technique used to brew coffee in a Chemex is often referred to as the "art of pouring."

What is a Chemex coffee maker?

The Chemex coffee maker was designed by Peter Schlumbohm in 1941. It is a glass vessel that is shaped like an hourglass and uses a special type of paper filter. The filter is thicker than most coffee filters and is designed to remove more of the coffee oils and sediment. The Chemex coffee maker is a manual pour-over coffee maker that requires the user to pour hot water over the coffee grounds to extract the flavor.

Why use a Chemex coffee maker?

The Chemex coffee maker is a great way to make coffee because it allows you to control the brewing process. You can adjust the amount of water, the temperature of the water, and the speed of the pour. This allows you to create a cup of coffee that is tailored to your individual taste. The Chemex coffee maker also produces a clean, bright, and flavorful cup of coffee that is free of sediment and coffee oils.

How to brew coffee in a Chemex coffee maker?

To brew coffee in a Chemex coffee maker, you will need:

• Chemex coffee maker
• Chemex paper filter
• Freshly roasted coffee beans
• Grinder
• Kettle
• Scale

Step 1: Boil water

Boil water in a kettle and let it cool down for a minute or two. The optimal temperature for brewing coffee in a Chemex is between 195°F and 205°F.

Step 2: Grind coffee beans

Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse grind. You will need 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. For example, if you are brewing 500 grams of water, you will need 33 grams of coffee.

Step 3: Rinse filter

Place the Chemex paper filter in the top of the Chemex and rinse it with hot water. This will remove any paper taste and preheat the Chemex.

Step 4: Add coffee

Add the ground coffee to the filter and shake the Chemex to level the coffee bed.

Step 5: Pour water

Start pouring hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion. Pour slowly and steadily, starting in the center and working your way out. Pour until the coffee bed is fully saturated and the water level is about 1 inch below the top of the Chemex.

Step 6: Let coffee bloom

Let the coffee bloom for 30-45 seconds. This is when the coffee releases carbon dioxide and expands, creating a bubbly crust on top of the coffee bed.

Step 7: Continue pouring

After the coffee has bloomed, continue pouring slowly and steadily until you reach your desired water-to-coffee ratio. The total brewing time should be between 3 and 4 minutes.

Step 8: Serve

Remove the filter and discard the coffee grounds. Serve your coffee and enjoy!

Conclusion

Brewing coffee in a Chemex coffee maker is a simple and rewarding process. By following these simple steps and practicing your pouring technique, you can create a clean, bright, and flavorful cup of coffee that is tailored to your individual taste.