Not only practical, but also beautifully crafted – that's the Chemex. How do you brew coffee in a vessel that resembles a flower vase ? You can't make coffee on the go, between sandwiches. However, the Chemex rewards you with a high-quality brew in which you can taste both the work of the brewer and the sensory profile of freshly roasted beans. In today's article , we explain how the Chemex works and how to brew coffee to fully understand the phenomenon of one of the 100 best-designed utilitarian objects in modern history, according to a list compiled by the Illinois Institute of Technology.

What is Chemex?

Before you learn how to brew coffee in a Chemex, it's worth starting with the basics. The glass brewer evokes associations with laboratory equipment, right? The Chemex was designed by German-born American chemist Peter Schlumbohm. In the 1940s, he created and patented a filtering device , thanks to which you can now enjoy a crisp, light brew. The Chemex Coffee Maker became a symbol of perfect design, and over time, also synonymous with alternative methods of brewing coffee beans.

What makes the glass carafe so unique are its special paper filters and distinctive design—so much so that one of the original brewers is on display at the MoMA in New York. The filters for freshly ground coffee beans are thick and multi-layered , effectively separating even the smallest particles from the brew. Furthermore, brewing coffee in a Chemex requires a coarser grind than other coffee preparation methods, which allows for the characteristic smoothness.

What do you need to brew coffee in a Chemex?

Using a Chemex, like other coffee brewing methods, requires more than just your favorite mug and boiling water . You need:

• coffee scales ,
• high-quality coffee beans,
• a good grinder (we sincerely recommend burr coffee grinders that grind the beans, not chop them),
• paper filters.

If you don't want to pour coffee directly from your Chemex, you'll also need a coffee pot – in our store, you'll find coffee pots that are a perfect combination of quality and good design. For those who enjoy surrounding themselves with beautiful objects, we also recommend purchasing ceramics, which will make drinking specialty coffee a pure pleasure.

How to brew coffee in a Chemex?

Today, the Chemex isn't standard kitchen equipment, but in the mid-20th century, a glass coffee maker was a common fixture among the American middle class. This is confirmed by the TV series Mad Men , which, although fictional, perfectly captures the atmosphere of the times. However, advances in technology and the emergence of automatic coffee machines have rendered the Chemex obsolete, so many people today wonder what it's like to brew coffee in a glass carafe. Below, you'll find information on how many grams of coffee you need for a Chemex and why rinsing the filter with hot water is so important .

1. Boil the water, fold the filter and place it in the container so that it has three layers on the spout side.
2. Rinse the filter with hot water – this will prevent the brew from tasting papery and will allow the Chemex itself to heat up properly.
3. Grind your coffee coarsely – choose medium-roast coffee beans , preferably specialty quality. How much coffee do you need for a Chemex? The standard is 6 grams of coffee per 100 ml of water.
4. Pour the water out of the carafe, place the coffee in the filter and check the temperature of the water prepared for brewing coffee (the standard is 90-95 degrees Celsius).
5. It's time for the initial brewing, which professionals call pre-infusion . Pour a small amount of water over the coffee, covering it completely. Wait 30 seconds, stirring gently. This will remove excess carbon dioxide and produce a smoother brew.
6. After 30 seconds, pour small amounts of water over the ground coffee over the entire surface. You can gently stir the coffee between each addition.

Now all that's left to do is wait for the brew to stop dripping from the filter. Once the coffee has finished brewing, you can remove the filter and the grounds and prepare the container for serving. You now know how to make coffee in a Chemex.

How is Chemex different from other coffee brewing methods?

Coffee brewing methods vary, allowing you to create a brew that suits your taste preferences. If you know how to brew coffee, the Chemex allows you to prepare a brew with an unprecedented lightness . Furthermore, this brewing method brings out notes from the beans that would otherwise be undetectable. Of course, what sets the Chemex apart from alternative coffee brewing methods is its distinctive design and the laboratory-based history behind it. It's also the versatility of the vessel, which combines the functions of a brewer and a carafe . If you know how to use the Chemex, you can create a different brew every time, one that will surprise you with its flavor.

Chemex at home – advantages

Brewing coffee with a Chemex isn't difficult – you just need to remember a few basic rules. Your own glass carafe will give you the experience of a specialty coffee shop without having to leave home . It's also a great alternative to a traditional espresso machine and a way to experiment with coffee. What's more, with a Chemex, the question of whether coffee is healthy is much simpler. Alternative coffee brewing methods like the Chemex require the use of high-quality, minimally processed beans. This, in turn, allows you to enjoy coffee's health benefits.

Which coffee beans should you choose?

As a coffee roaster, we recommend fresh, lightly roasted beans purchased in small quantities. This will help you fully understand the Chemex phenomenon and appreciate the possibilities this method of coffee preparation offers. It's best to use the coffee within a month of roasting—over time, beans deteriorate, which affects the flavor of your Chemex brew. You know how to brew coffee, but the question remains, which beans are best. We especially recommend Single Origin coffees , which are single-origin coffees sourced from specific plantations—they boast the most complex flavor palette that the Chemex can bring out.

Summary

The Chemex is a coffee-making device with a relatively long history, with Third Wave Coffee reviving interest in this method. Naturally, the question arose about how to brew coffee in a Chemex to enjoy a smooth brew. While preparing coffee in a Chemex isn't demanding , it does require accessories such as paper filters, a scale, and freshly roasted beans from a trusted source.

LaCava, a Warsaw-based coffee roaster specializing in specialty coffee, is here to help. We not only advise how much coffee to prepare for the Chemex , but also help you choose the right coffee for your taste preferences. This will help you fully appreciate the possibilities the Chemex offers and experience the taste of premium coffee.