What is Chemex? Discover the art of brewing coffee

– DESCRIBE THE ORIGIN –

In the ever-evolving world of coffee, Chemex stands out as a symbol of elegance and simplicity. But what is Chemex? It is not just a coffee brewing tool; it is an experience, an art form, and for many, a way of life. This article will take you on a journey to explore Chemex—from its history and functioning to its advantages and challenges.

1. Introduction to Chemex

Definition of Chemex

Chemex is more than just a coffee brewing tool; it is a functional work of art. Designed with the elegance of an hourglass-shaped glass carafe, Chemex combines the traditional pour-over method with a unique filtration system. It uses specially thick paper filters to produce clean and clear coffee, offering a distinct coffee experience.

History of Chemex

The story of Chemex began in 1941, during the backdrop of World War II. Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, a talented German chemist who immigrated to the U.S., created Chemex as a testament to his philosophy of simplicity and efficiency in design. Inspired by laboratory equipment, particularly the Erlenmeyer flask and Büchner funnel, Schlumbohm crafted a coffee brewer that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The neck of the Chemex is wrapped with leather or wood—a detail that is not only aesthetic but also functional, providing insulation for safe handling.

The introduction of Chemex revolutionized the way coffee is enjoyed. It quickly gained recognition not only among coffee enthusiasts but also in the art and design communities. In 1958, Chemex was showcased at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) as an outstanding example of American industrial design—a distinction it still holds today.

Since then, Chemex has become an icon in the specialty coffee community, beloved by coffee enthusiasts worldwide. It is not just a coffee brewer but a part of coffee culture, representing a perfect blend of science, art, and appreciation.

2. Structure and Operation of Chemex

– Structure: Chemex has a simple yet sophisticated design, where every component serves a purpose:

a) Glass Carafe: Made from high-quality borosilicate glass, it has an hourglass shape. The upper part is wide to accommodate the paper filter and coffee, while the lower part narrows to hold the brewed coffee.

b) Wood or Leather Collar: Surrounding the middle of the carafe, this is not only an aesthetic accent but also serves as insulation, allowing users to hold the carafe safely when pouring coffee.

c) Paper Filter: One of the most crucial elements of Chemex, the filter is 20-30% thicker than standard filters, designed specifically to remove sediments and oils, resulting in a clean and pure cup of coffee.

– Operation: Chemex operates based on gravity and filtration, similar to other pour-over methods, but with distinctive features:

a) Hot water is slowly poured over the ground coffee and paper filter.

b) Chemex’s specially thick paper filter captures most coffee particles and oils.

c) The filtered coffee drips into the lower part of the carafe, producing a clean and pure cup of coffee.

This process results in a cup of coffee with high clarity, less bitterness, and acidity than many other brewing methods while preserving the complex flavors of the coffee beans.

– Comparison with Other Brewing Methods

a) Chemex vs. V60

• Similarities: Both are pour-over methods using paper filters.
• Differences: Chemex uses a thicker paper filter, yielding a cleaner and less bitter coffee, while V60 typically produces a slightly richer brew.

b) Chemex vs. Traditional Pour-Over

• Similarities: Similar operation principles.
• Differences: Chemex has a larger capacity, suitable for brewing multiple cups simultaneously. Chemex’s design is also more unique and aesthetically pleasing.

c) Chemex vs. French Press

• Major Differences: French Press uses immersion and pressing, while Chemex is a filtration method. Coffee brewed with Chemex is clearer and has significantly less sediment than French Press, though it may be less bold in flavor.

3. Advantages of Brewing Coffee with Chemex

Delicate Flavor: Coffee brewed with Chemex is renowned for its delicate, clean, and balanced flavor. This is due to the specially thick paper filter, which removes most fine particles and oils, producing a light brew that highlights the complex notes of the coffee beans.

Impressive Clarity: One of the most remarkable features of Chemex-brewed coffee is its high clarity. Thanks to the thick paper filter, Chemex coffee is nearly free of sediments, resulting in a brew as clear as tea.

High Aesthetic Appeal: Chemex is not just a coffee brewing tool; it is a piece of art. Its unique design, resembling an elegant hourglass, combined with clear glass and wooden or leather accents, creates a sophisticated and luxurious appearance.

The presence of a Chemex can elevate your brewing space, making it an eye-catching highlight in your kitchen or café. It’s no surprise that Chemex often appears in lifestyle and interior design photoshoots.

Ease of Use and Cleaning: Despite being a manual brewing method, Chemex is very easy to use. The brewing process is simple and intuitive, not requiring complex techniques like some other methods. Chemex is also very convenient to clean. After brewing, you simply discard the paper filter and rinse the carafe with warm water. Chemex’s simple design, without small parts or crevices, makes cleaning easy and quick.

4. Drawbacks of Chemex

Brewing Time: One of the main drawbacks of Chemex is the relatively long brewing time. The process typically takes 3 to 4 minutes per batch, not including preparation time like boiling water and grinding beans. This can be challenging, especially when brewing multiple cups or during busy mornings.

High Cost: Chemex and its specialized accessories, such as the proprietary paper filters, are generally more expensive than many other coffee brewing tools. This can be a barrier for some, particularly those new to exploring the world of specialty coffee.

Limited Capacity: Although Chemex comes in various sizes, from 3 cups to 10 cups, its capacity is still limited compared to some other methods like automatic coffee machines. This can be a disadvantage when brewing for multiple people at once, such as in an office meeting or a party.

To address this, some people choose to own multiple Chemex brewers in different sizes or combine Chemex with other brewing methods when serving a large number of people.

Skill Requirement: While Chemex is considered relatively easy to use, achieving a perfect cup still requires some skill and experience. Factors such as water pouring speed, the amount of coffee used, grind size, and water temperature all affect the quality of the final cup.

Dependence on Specialized Filters: Chemex uses specialized paper filters that are thicker and have a different size than regular filters. Additionally, the use of paper filters generates waste with each brew, which can be an issue for those concerned about the environment.

5. How to Brew Coffee with Chemex

– Preparation: Before brewing, ensure you have the following tools:

• Chemex
• Chemex paper filter
• Coffee grinder (if grinding fresh beans)
• Kettle (preferably with a long spout for precise pouring)
• Scale (for accurate measurement of coffee and water)
• Timer
• Coffee: Choose high-quality beans, preferably Specialty Coffee. Chemex highlights the natural flavors of coffee, making it a great opportunity to enjoy unique beans.

– Steps:

Grind Coffee: Grind the coffee to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to sea salt. This grind size allows water to flow through the coffee at an appropriate rate—not too fast (causing sourness) and not too slow (causing bitterness).

Place the Filter: Open the Chemex paper filter into a cone shape and place it in the top part of the carafe. The thicker side of the filter (with 3 layers) should be placed toward the spout of the Chemex.

Rinse the Filter: Heat water to around 93-96°C (200-205°F). Pour hot water over the paper filter to remove the paper taste and warm the carafe. This also helps the filter adhere to the carafe walls. Discard this rinse water.

Add Coffee to the Filter: Pour the ground coffee into the paper filter, leveling the surface. Place the Chemex on the scale and set it to zero.

Brew Coffee: Begin pouring water following this process:

• Bloom: Pour an amount of water double the weight of the coffee (e.g., 30g of coffee would need 60g of water) in a spiral motion, starting from the center. Wait 30-45 seconds for the coffee to “bloom.”
• Main Pour: Continue pouring water in a spiral motion, keeping the water level about 1cm below the top edge of the carafe. Pour slowly and steadily.
• Finish: Stop pouring when you reach the desired water amount (typically a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio).

Wait and Enjoy: Wait for all the water to pass through the filter. This process should take around 3-4 minutes in total. Remove the paper filter, stir the coffee gently in the carafe, and enjoy.

– Coffee-to-Water Ratio: A common ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 (coffee). For example, 30g of coffee for 450-510ml of water. However, you can adjust this ratio to suit your taste and the characteristics of the beans you’re using.

– Water Temperature: The ideal water temperature is around 93-96°C (200-205°F). Water that’s too hot can over-extract, causing bitterness, while water that’s not hot enough can lead to under-extraction.

– Extraction Time: The total brew time should be about 3-4 minutes per batch. If it’s too fast, the coffee may taste sour; if it’s too slow, the coffee may taste bitter. Adjust the grind size to achieve the ideal extraction time.

6. Chemex and Specialty Coffee

– Perfect Combination

Chemex is favored in the Specialty Coffee community for many reasons:

• Pure Flavor: The thick paper filter of Chemex effectively removes sediment and oils, producing a clean and clear cup that highlights the unique flavors and characteristics of specialty beans.
• High Control: Chemex allows for significant control over various brewing factors, such as grind size, water temperature, and pour speed, making it possible to fine-tune and optimize extraction for each specific coffee.
• Showcasing Bean Origin: Chemex’s ability to produce a delicate and clean cup makes it ideal for showcasing single-origin beans, where the specific growing region’s terroir and the processing method’s nuances can shine through.

For Specialty coffee, where each bean has its own story and unique characteristics, the Chemex becomes the perfect tool to “tell” those stories through flavor. From the bright fruity notes of Ethiopian coffee to the rich chocolate tones of Colombian coffee, Chemex is capable of fully conveying the rich flavor profile of Specialty coffee.

Conclusion

Chemex is not just a tool; it’s an experience. From its origin rooted in science and art to its function that produces an exquisite and clean cup of coffee, Chemex is a symbol of dedication to quality and detail.

FAQs

1. Is Chemex suitable for beginners in manual coffee brewing?

Chemex can be an excellent choice for beginners. While it has a learning curve, the Chemex brewing process is straightforward and intuitive. It allows control over multiple brewing factors, helping you improve your skills. Additionally, Chemex is often more forgiving of minor mistakes than some other methods, giving beginners room to experiment and learn.

2. How to choose the best coffee for Chemex?

Chemex highlights the natural flavors of coffee, so it works best with high-quality coffee, especially specialty coffee. Coffees with complex and delicate flavors, like Ethiopian with fruity notes or Colombian with chocolate notes, often yield great results with Chemex. Ultimately, the choice depends on your taste. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different coffees to find the best fit for your palate.

3. Can I use regular filters instead of Chemex-specific filters?

While regular filters can be used, it’s not recommended. Chemex filters are specifically designed with the proper thickness and size for the Chemex brewer. They are 20-30% thicker than standard filters, effectively removing grounds and oils to create Chemex’s signature clear and pure coffee. Using regular filters may affect the coffee’s flavor, quality, and extraction time.

4. How to fix the issue of coffee dripping too fast or too slow through Chemex?

If the coffee drips too fast (under 3 minutes), the grind might be too coarse. Try a slightly finer grind. If it drips too slowly (over 4 minutes), the grind might be too fine, so adjust to a coarser grind. Also, pay attention to your pouring technique. Pouring too fast can speed up the flow, while pouring too slow can lengthen the brew time. Practice and adjust to find the right balance.

5. Can Chemex be used for brewing tea?

Yes, you can use Chemex for brewing tea, especially loose-leaf tea. The process is similar to brewing coffee, but you’ll need to adjust the water temperature and steeping time depending on the tea type. However, keep in mind that Chemex is primarily designed for coffee, so the results may differ from traditional tea brewing methods. If you brew both coffee and tea regularly, it’s best to use separate equipment to avoid flavor crossover.