How to Make the Best Cup of Coffee (Chemex Brewed)

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make the best cup of coffee (Chemex brewed)

How to Make the Best Cup of Coffee (Chemex Brewed)

Chemex brewed coffee is known for its clarity and total lack of bitterness. This brew brings out good flavors in good coffee, but would expose bad coffee.

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Step 1 of 29

Let's talk equipment first. You don't have to have all of this, you can still make good coffee without some, but the stars align when you have a good setup. And it gets easier.

Step 2 of 29
A burr grinder. No single piece of equipment will improve any method of coffee more than a good burr grinder. EVEN grind is crucial. Fortunately this is the most expensive piece. It's an investment.

A burr grinder. No single piece of equipment will improve any method of coffee more than a good burr grinder. EVEN grind is crucial. Fortunately this is the most expensive piece. It's an investment.

Step 3 of 29
Chemex pot. It allows for a larger batch and supports the filter. Easy to clean because of non-reactive glass.

Chemex pot. It allows for a larger batch and supports the filter. Easy to clean because of non-reactive glass.

Step 4 of 29
Chemex bonded filters. These are extra think chemistry grade filters. This is what makes Chemex method unique. These filter out bitterness and oils that taste bad.

Chemex bonded filters. These are extra think chemistry grade filters. This is what makes Chemex method unique. These filter out bitterness and oils that taste bad.

Step 5 of 29
Pouring kettle with long spout. You need to control the flow of water and a Pyrex liquid measuring cup just doesn't cut it. In a pinch though... This is Hario Buono kettle. Worth the $60 promise.

Pouring kettle with long spout. You need to control the flow of water and a Pyrex liquid measuring cup just doesn't cut it. In a pinch though... This is Hario Buono kettle. Worth the $60 promise.

Step 6 of 29
Yeah you can boil water on the stove and if you have gas it's faster but a boiling kettle does the job in 5 min and really helps if you want to do this before you leave for work. This was $20 Costco.

Yeah you can boil water on the stove and if you have gas it's faster but a boiling kettle does the job in 5 min and really helps if you want to do this before you leave for work. This was $20 Costco.

Step 7 of 29
A kitchen scale that does grams. Don't get this one it auto shuts off after 3 min no matter what. Annoying in the middle of a pour. Why a scale? Repeatability. Science.

A kitchen scale that does grams. Don't get this one it auto shuts off after 3 min no matter what. Annoying in the middle of a pour. Why a scale? Repeatability. Science.

Step 8 of 29

Now make with the coffee.

Step 9 of 29
Set the water to boil. We'll use 730 grams or 3 cups. Need more for rinsing so boil 4 cups.

Set the water to boil. We'll use 730 grams or 3 cups. Need more for rinsing so boil 4 cups.

Step 10 of 29
Whilst its boiling measure 52 grams (7Tbsp) of whole bean coffee. Please not Starbucks. Go somewhere, a shop or roaster that does smallbatches that have the roast date stamped on it. Yes this matters.

Whilst its boiling measure 52 grams (7Tbsp) of whole bean coffee. Please not Starbucks. Go somewhere, a shop or roaster that does smallbatches that have the roast date stamped on it. Yes this matters.

Step 11 of 29
Take one Chemex filter and open it so three layers are on one side and one layer on the other.

Take one Chemex filter and open it so three layers are on one side and one layer on the other.

Step 12 of 29
Position like this. I like to put the three layers on the spout side.

Position like this. I like to put the three layers on the spout side.

Step 13 of 29
When the waters boiling put about a cup in the kettle and rinse the filter out thoroughly. This gets rid of any papery taste. DUMP THIS WATER. Ive made that mistake. Re-boil the water if needed.

When the waters boiling put about a cup in the kettle and rinse the filter out thoroughly. This gets rid of any papery taste. DUMP THIS WATER. Ive made that mistake. Re-boil the water if needed.

Step 14 of 29
Grind your beans now. You didn't grind them before right? As soon as they are ground they start losing deliciousness quickly. A pretty coarse grind. A little thicker than sand.

Grind your beans now. You didn't grind them before right? As soon as they are ground they start losing deliciousness quickly. A pretty coarse grind. A little thicker than sand.

Step 15 of 29
Close up of the grind notice the evenness. I would pull out the chunks of dust in the lower left.

Close up of the grind notice the evenness. I would pull out the chunks of dust in the lower left.

Step 16 of 29
We're ready. Coffee just ground. Filter rinsed. Water just off boil in pouring kettle. Chemex on top of scale.

We're ready. Coffee just ground. Filter rinsed. Water just off boil in pouring kettle. Chemex on top of scale.

Step 17 of 29
Grounds go in then pour in 75g of water. Start a five minute timer as soon as the water hits  Just enough to wet all the grounds. Not much water should go through below.

Grounds go in then pour in 75g of water. Start a five minute timer as soon as the water hits Just enough to wet all the grounds. Not much water should go through below.

Step 18 of 29
Looks like this. Fresh coffee and nice hot water makes the coffee "bloom" (not boiling, 200 degree) this is crucial to evenly wet the grounds (something Mr. Coffee knows nothing about)

Looks like this. Fresh coffee and nice hot water makes the coffee "bloom" (not boiling, 200 degree) this is crucial to evenly wet the grounds (something Mr. Coffee knows nothing about)

Step 19 of 29
Let it bloom for 90 seconds. Once it starts to fall you can move on to pouring in the next step.

Let it bloom for 90 seconds. Once it starts to fall you can move on to pouring in the next step.

Step 20 of 29
Pour in a circular motion slowly.

Pour in a circular motion slowly.

Step 21 of 29
Don't go to far out to the edge.

Don't go to far out to the edge.

Step 22 of 29
Don't go over the top edge of the glass. Wait a little, not too long, to continue adding water.

Don't go over the top edge of the glass. Wait a little, not too long, to continue adding water.

Step 23 of 29
I wait til about here to start pouring again. I try to do as close to a continuous pour as possible.

I wait til about here to start pouring again. I try to do as close to a continuous pour as possible.

Step 24 of 29
When you hit 730g stop and let the magic work.

When you hit 730g stop and let the magic work.

Step 25 of 29
Mmmm look at that.

Mmmm look at that.

Step 26 of 29
Just enjoy this moment. It helps build the anticipation.

Just enjoy this moment. It helps build the anticipation.

Step 27 of 29
After the 5 min timer dings. Pull the filter and discard. Don't go past 5 minutes. The coffee will over-extract and taste yuck. If you didn't get thru the water or got thru too fast, adjust the grind.

After the 5 min timer dings. Pull the filter and discard. Don't go past 5 minutes. The coffee will over-extract and taste yuck. If you didn't get thru the water or got thru too fast, adjust the grind.

Step 28 of 29
Look at that clarity. This coffee is so clean it can be enjoyed later as well. (just dont reheat in microwave) sometimes I let it cool and make an iced drink out of it later.

Look at that clarity. This coffee is so clean it can be enjoyed later as well. (just dont reheat in microwave) sometimes I let it cool and make an iced drink out of it later.

Step 29 of 29
Pour in a preheated white mug to enjoy the color. Let it cool for a couple minutes. Enjoy.

Pour in a preheated white mug to enjoy the color. Let it cool for a couple minutes. Enjoy.

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7 Comments
Supplies

52 Grams Whole bean GOOD coffee

730 Grams Filtered water just off boil

More hot water for rinsing

Burr grinder

Pouring kettle

1 Chemex bonded filter

Chemex pot

Marcia As

I thought I knew coffees. Thanks for this. Great looking brew. Now that I am retired, time is noooo problem!

Marcia As 3 weeks ago

Kelsey O'Connor

Just started using a chemex and looking for the best technique. Thanks for the guide!

Kelsey O'Connor 4 months ago

Cala Thea

Nice guide, thanks! But due to time constraints, I use a French Press instead. If done the right way, hardly any bitterness either ;)

Cala Thea 10 months ago

Kendon Shaw

Set the water going, then take a shower. Grind the beans and rinse the filter then you get dressed. Then finish with the pour. That's what I do. Though my kitchen and bedroom are on the same floor...

(author) 10 months ago

Scott Feeney

This is more of a Sunday morning coffee. I'd never have time in the morning to actually do this before work.

Scott Feeney 10 months ago

Shayne 🎨

The coffee looks amazing! Could I come over for a cup? Haha.

Shayne 🎨 10 months ago

Cherpea Ceplease

From one coffee drinker to another,... Looks yummy. Thanks!

Cherpea Ceplease 10 months ago

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