Introduction: Using a Chemex is an easy and convenient way to brew excellent coffee at home. The keys to getting good results are: using high quality, fresh beans; grinding the coffee correctly; using clean equipment; pouring correctly; using the right amount and temperature of water. You’ll need a Chemex brewer, coffee, a Chemex filter, a grinder, and a mug for your coffee.
- Grind 42 grams (about 6 Tablespoons) of coffee – the ground coffee should be about as coarse as kosher salt.
- Place the filter inside the Chemex, lining up the multiple folds with the spout. Pre-rinse with hot water to seal the filter and rinse out the paper flavor.
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Discard the rinse water and add your ground coffee.
BARISTA TIP: During the bloom, give the coffee a quick stir to make sure the water fully saturates all the grounds. This will ensure even brewing.
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Now pour just enough water (30 seconds off the boil or about 98 degrees C ) to saturate the grounds and let it bloom for 30 seconds. The fresher the coffee, the more of a bloom you will see.
BARISTA TIP: If you’re using a scale and timer, start the 4 minute timer and fill to 150 grams of water for the first pour. At 3:20 minutes, fill to 450 grams of water. At 2 minutes, fill to 700 grams. Pull filter when the coffee reaches the glass button (20 oz) which should be at about 4 minutes.
- Next, pour water evenly in a spiral over the coffee bed and slowly fill to the top of the brewer. For an even extraction, pour over the dark spots and avoid the light ones.
- Continue to add water periodically until the brewed coffee reaches the glass button on the Chemex.
- Lift the filter out of the Chemex and quickly move the filter to your sink where it will drain completely. Pre-warm your mug with hot water.
- Drink the coffee.