What is a Chemex®?
What is a Chemex®?
You may or may not have heard of a Chemex®. Although it seems to be a relatively new thing to some of us, it has actually been around since 1941, when a German chemist – Peter J Schlumbohm – was inspired by his laboratory glass funnel and Erlenmeyer flask.
As a chemist he had an understanding of filtration and extraction. He added an air channel to the funnel which would leave space for displaced air to escape easily, and he added a “bellybutton” to the flask. The protrusion which also looks like a bubble is actually a measuring mark – indicating one half of the volume below the “handle”.
The handle is a heatproof wooden collar that surrounds the narrowing part of the Chemex®, with a leather tie around it. Although the design hasn’t been changed for 70 years, it’s still as elegant and modern as ever. Simple but beautiful.
The Chemex® uses the pour over method – a paper filter and a bed of coffee – creating a clean cup of coffee. The filters are 20-30% heavier than other paper filters because it is made of bonded paper which makes it thicker. This retains more suspended oils during the filtering process. No solids can pass through, it extracts the caffeine and flavour, but removes the bitter notes. Clear and pure, as the coffee only makes contact with the scientifically designed filter and non-porous glass. It can be covered and stored in the fridge and made into a cold brew or even reheating – and it won’t lose flavour.
What you will need:
- Chemex® Coffee Maker
- Chemex® filters
- A kettle (preferably swan neck)
- A grinder (electric or hand is fine) – unless you buy our ready ground coffee
- A digital scale
- Timer (Or Timer and scale in one)
Preparation:
Grind: 44g of medium/fine grind
Ratio: 1:15 coffee to water.
Temperature: 90-96℃
Method:
First put a paper filter into your Chemex® with the thicker side facing the spout. Rinse the paper filter with the boiled water to help remove any paper taste before brewing, plus it will help warm the Chemex® brewer. Place your coffee in the filter and gently tap the Chemex® to settle the coffee. Gently pour (ideally with a Swan neck kettle) around 80ml of water over the coffee in a circular motion, so as to cover all the coffee, and wait 30 second for the “Bloom”. Pour three more batches of 240ml, until all the water has passed through the coffee. Once finished, carefully remove the filter and coffee, making sure not to release any of the used coffee back into the Chemex®, then swirl to aerate the brew, relax and enjoy.
Why do we love the Chemex® at Mini & Mighty?
Mark (Mini & Mighty MD) says: “Simplicity of design. Purity of coffee. It makes any coffee just taste better. Perfect for black coffee, even with a splash of milk. Revolutionises certain coffees.”
Fun Fact:
The Chemex has been used in TV shows and Movies over the years, like Sabrina in 1954, From Russia With Love in 1957, Pillow Talk in 1959, Rosemary’s Baby in 1968, The Boys in the Band in 1970 and more recently in the Sitcom Friends from the 90’s until 2002 and we recently spotted it in New Girl – another Sitcom from 2012-2017.
Watch our #greatcoffeeathome video here, all about making your coffee using a Chemex®
