The Art of Brewing with a Chemex: A Guide to Perfect Coffee
If you are looking for a simple yet elegant way to brew a clean, flavourful cup of coffee, the Chemex style coffee maker is an excellent choice. Its timeless design and ability to bring out subtle coffee notes make it a favourite among coffee enthusiasts. Whether you are using freshly ground beans or pre-ground coffee, here’s a guide to help you get the best out of your Chemex style experience.
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What You’ll Need
- A Chemex style coffee maker
- Chemex type filters
- Coffee beans (freshly ground) or pre-ground coffee
- Burr grinder (if grinding fresh beans)
- Hot water (195°F–205°F)
- Kitchen scale (optional, but recommended): https://harmonyhillstore.ca/products/hand-brewed-coffee-electronic-scale-coffee-bean-weighing-timing
Freshly Ground vs. Pre-Ground Coffee
For the best flavor, grinding your coffee beans fresh is the way to go. A burr grinder ensures a consistent medium-coarse grind, which is ideal for Chemex. However, if convenience is your priority, pre-ground coffee works too—just make sure it’s a medium-coarse grind for optimal extraction.
To begin:
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Prepare the Filter – Place a Chemex filter in the top of your Chemex with the thicker, multi-layered side facing the spout. Rinse it with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the Chemex. Discard the rinse water.
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Measure and Grind (if using whole beans) – Use a 1:15 or 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. A common starting point is 30 grams of coffee (about 5 tablespoons) to 500 grams (about 17 ounces) of water. Grind your coffee to a consistency resembling sea salt.
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Add Coffee Grounds – Place the coffee grounds into the rinsed filter, leveling them gently.
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Bloom the Coffee – Pour just enough hot water to saturate the grounds (about twice the weight of the coffee). Let it bloom for 30-45 seconds, allowing gases to escape and enhancing flavor.
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Start Your Pour – Slowly pour hot water in a circular motion, keeping the coffee bed evenly saturated. Avoid pouring directly on the filter. Continue adding water in stages until you reach your total weight.
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Let It Drip – The brewing process should take about 4-5 minutes. Once the water has fully drained, remove the filter and discard it.
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Enjoy – Swirl your coffee slightly to mix the flavors evenly, then pour and savor your smooth, aromatic Chemex brew.
Final Tips
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If your brew is too bitter, try a coarser grind.
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If it’s too weak, use a finer grind or increase the coffee amount.
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Store pre-ground coffee in an airtight container to preserve freshness.
With a little practice, your Chemex coffee can rival your favorite café’s pour-over.
Stay tuned for our next post in this series on Home Coffee as we look at even more options for great coffee brewing.
Stay Well, stay Balanced. Make each day your own!