While a coffee maker's style can be somewhat subjective, the Chemex, aside from having one of the most elegant designs, actually makes better coffee than many of its competitors, and for many people, the Chemex probably makes the most pleasant-tasting coffee.
What is a Chemex coffee maker?
The Chemex coffee maker was created in 1941 by Peter Schlumbohm. The shape was inspired by an Erlenmeyer flask that uses non-porous glass (plastic equivalents develop cracks and fissures over time that can harbor mineral deposits that affect the overall flavor). Also aiding its clean taste is the Chemex filter, which is 30% thicker than traditional filters. The heavy filter removes any unwanted fats or oils, resulting in a clean, pure, and flavorful cup of coffee without bitterness or sediment.
When designing the CHEMEX, Schlumbohm wanted to not only make brewing the perfect cup simple, but also make the container a thing of beauty. As a chemist, he studied and clearly understood the chemistry behind extracting flavor and caffeine from coffee beans.
It was this knowledge that led him to invent CHEMEX double-adhesion paper filters for perfect extraction every time. For the pitcher, Schlumbohm drew inspiration from the Bauhaus school of design and non-porous laboratory material that wouldn't impart a taste of its own. Using these elements, he created the hourglass shape that has now become an iconic part of American history. Made simply from a single piece of borosilicate glass and adorned with a wooden collar and rawhide tie, the CHEMEX is perfect in both form and function. It has been recognized and awarded by both the scientific community and the art and design communities.
Why prefer the Chemex?
Coffee brewed using the Chemex method tastes better than with many other coffee makers due to the unique filter, glass construction, and unique shape of the device. The all-glass construction doesn't impart additional flavors to the coffee, ensuring a 100% coffee taste. If you enjoy clean-tasting coffee with a bright flavor, you'll really enjoy using a Chemex.
The Chemex method is widely considered the best option for people looking for a smoother cup with less bitterness and who don't mind the lack of body. It leaves you with a sort of opposite impression than a French press. The resulting brew is very bright and clear rather than thick and heavy.
5 reasons to try it
Temperature
By using the special attached paper filters and water at 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit, you leave the fats and bitterness of the coffee in the filter and not in the cup.
Automatic drip brewing with a home coffee machine generally cannot reach such a high temperature.
Time
You can control the Chemex's brewing time by varying the filter fineness and modifying your pour-over technique. The aforementioned filter thickness helps give your coffee the proper brewing time to bring out the most flavor from the bean into your cup.
Simplicity
The Chemex is a simpler and much cleaner method of brewing coffee. It avoids the buildup of rancid coffee oils that a home coffee machine invariably deposits, not to mention the invisible calcium that accumulates inside the innards of the automatic coffee machine.
Flavor
Since the Chemex isn't sitting on a burner to keep it warm, you don't have to worry about that "burnt" taste that automatic machines eventually leave behind.
Consistency
Getting a consistently good brew from a Chemex depends less on the barista's skills and more on using the correct brewing and pouring techniques.
How does it work?
It works similarly to a pour-over, except the filter is inserted into the brewing vessel itself. The Chemex has a slim design and uses a dense filter that slows the flow of water compared to other pour-over methods. The coffee is placed in the filter, and the water passes through slowly. The resulting brew is contained at the bottom of the vessel, ready to be served.
Due to the restricted flow, the total brewing time is longer than with other methods. However, this longer infusion time allows more time for the flavors to develop.
Which grinder should I use?
This varies. Ideally, you want the filter to do most of the flow regulation. However, a grind that's too fine will cause the coffee to be over-extracted. The grind size depends on the serving size and the amount of coffee. You'll need to adjust it until the extraction takes about 4 to 5 minutes. Longer grind times result in bitter coffee and indicate that your grind needs to be coarser.
The Chemex isn't as fast or as simple as using a standard drip coffee maker. However, the coffee is substantially smoother and cleaner-tasting, and it's worth the effort. Once you try Chemex coffee, you'll have a hard time continuing to enjoy your automatic coffee maker.