Making Coffee at Home: Chemex Version

Being a person who needs coffee to function in the morning, it is an essential part of my morning. Whether I’m working at the shop or having a morning at home, it always starts with coffee. With my luck, my cup of coffee is poured by 6 in the morning when I am working. When I am at home, there are many ways I like to make my coffee. I go through phases; sometimes I love my coffee black, sometimes I like to add some frothed milk and flavor. So let’s get down to the breakdown. 

Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert. This is what I’ve learned what to do and what I love to do. Follow as you like. 

Chemex: 

My very favorite way to make coffee at home is using a chemex. A chemex is an hourglass shaped glass pitcher in which you add a filter at the top to brew a beautifully aromatic cup of coffee. Surprisingly enough, using a filter system to brew coffee dates back to the 17th century when coffee had become normalized in Europe, but stems from ancient Egyptians. So, to start out, I have an electric pot (thank you Vince) in which I use to boil my water. Once that gets started, I put my filter on the top of the chemex and wet it. This does a few things: it secures the filter to the top and stem of the chemex, it ensures that all of the beans are used in the brewing process, and it verifies that there is none of that paper flavor in your cup! I then use a scale to measure 28 grams of grounds. I prefer to use a darker roast; specifically the house roast from the coffee shop I work at. As for your grind, it should be more of a medium coarse grind. This normally looks like a mix between rocky sand and smooth sand- a healthy mix. To be very technical, it is much better to grind your beans each time you make a new cup. But, for me, a grinder can be a bit pricey and I work at a coffee shop so I grind a bit at a time; typically a week’s worth or so. So, after you’ve wet the filter,  put your grinds in and boiled your water, it’s time to brew! I use 16 oz of hot water or about 470 grams. Before pouring the hot water onto the coffee grinds, it is crucial to make sure that it is not still boiling. Boiling water can kill some flavor from the grinds. About 200 degrees is the sweet spot. I do not measure this, I just eyeball it. I normally use my boiling water after about a minute of taking it off the heat. As for pouring, start by pouring just a bit of water onto the grinds in a circular motion. This should just be enough water to cover the grinds, but not drown them. This is considered the ‘blooming’ process. I then let this sit for about 30 seconds to release all the flavor. After it has bloomed and starts dripping into the base of the chemex, you’re ready to pour the water into the filter. This should still be in a slow-ish circular motion. Never fill your filter too much, as too much pressure from the water on the grinds can dilute the flavor. Gradually add your water as you go until you are all done with the water. You are then ready to pour! 

This entire process takes me about 8 minutes. I love to drink a cup of coffee from my chemex black, as I can really taste the flavor notes of the coffee. 

Phew! That sounds like a lot. So now that you know the specific details, let’s break it down. 

1. Start to boil 16 oz or 470 grams of water. 

2. Grind 28 grams beans (if possible) 

3. Wet filter 

4. Place grinds in wet filter 

5. Bloom the grinds

6. Pour the water over slowly until it finishes dripping 

7. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy! 

These are the measurements that work for me, so if you use this at home, use it to your preference. Trial and Error! 

Let me know how this tastes for you or if you try it! The items I use are linked below. 

Chemex: 

https://www.target.com/p/bodum-4-cup-17oz-pour-over-coffee-maker/-/A-53450632

• This is not the exact one, but I got mine from target! It is also called a pour over. 

Filters: 

https://www.target.com/p/natural-cone-4-coffee-filters-40ct-market-pantry-8482/-/A-13283388

• Use these filters instead of the ruffled ones. They are specifically made for a chemex/pour over. 

Electric pot: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKN76ZS/ref=asc_df_B07FKN76ZS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241881941994&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10672965113365289952&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018721&hvtargid=pla-487784644693&psc=1

• I LOVE this!!

Scale: 

https://www.target.com/p/escali-digital-food-scale-tan/-/A-53328288

• This is not the scale I have now, but it is a scale I’ve used in the past. Remember to tear out your scale before you measure anything!