The Coffee Kits

How to Grind Coffee Beans for Chemex Pour Over: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're a coffee enthusiast, you probably know that the quality of your coffee largely depends on the brewing process. One of the popular brewing methods among coffee lovers is Chemex pour over. Chemex is a simple and elegant glass coffee maker that uses a paper filter to extract the coffee's natural oils and flavors. However, the success of your Chemex pour over also depends on the quality of your coffee grind. In this article, we'll discuss how to grind coffee beans for Chemex pour over in a comprehensive guide.

Why is Coffee Grind Important?

The grind size of your coffee is a crucial factor that determines the flavor and aroma of your coffee. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes. For instance, espresso requires a fine grind, while French press requires a coarse grind. Chemex pour over requires a medium-coarse grind to achieve the ideal extraction. If your coffee grind is too fine, it will over-extract and taste bitter. On the other hand, if your coffee grind is too coarse, it will under-extract and taste weak.

What Grind Size is Ideal for Chemex Pour Over?

As mentioned earlier, Chemex pour over requires a medium-coarse grind size to achieve the ideal extraction. This grind size is similar to the texture of sea salt or coarse sand. The ideal grind size for Chemex pour over will ensure that the coffee is evenly extracted, resulting in a clean and well-balanced cup of coffee.

How to Grind Coffee Beans for Chemex Pour Over?

Now that you know the importance of coffee grind and the ideal grind size for Chemex pour over, let's discuss how to grind coffee beans for Chemex pour over.

Step 1:

The first step in grinding coffee beans for Chemex pour over is choosing the right coffee grinder. A burr grinder is the best option as it provides a consistent grind size and retains the coffee's natural oils and flavors. Avoid using a blade grinder as it produces an uneven grind size and generates heat, which can affect the coffee's taste.

Step 2:

Once you've chosen the right coffee grinder, the next step is to measure the coffee beans. A general rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15-16 grams of water. For instance, if you're using 30 grams of coffee, you'll need 480-500 grams of water. This ratio will ensure that your coffee is not too strong or too weak.

Step 3:

After measuring the coffee beans, it's time to grind them. Set your burr grinder to the medium-coarse setting, similar to the texture of sea salt or coarse sand. Grind the coffee beans in batches to ensure a consistent grind size. Once you've finished grinding the coffee beans, discard any leftover grounds from the grinder.

Step 4:

Now that you've ground your coffee beans to the ideal grind size, it's time to brew your coffee using the Chemex pour over method. Follow the instructions that came with your Chemex coffee maker to brew the perfect cup of coffee.

Conclusion

Grinding coffee beans for Chemex pour over may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be a straightforward process. Remember to choose the right coffee grinder, measure your coffee beans, grind them to a medium-coarse texture, and brew your coffee using the Chemex pour over method. With these steps, you'll be able to enjoy a clean and well-balanced cup of coffee every time.