The Chemex is a beautifully designed, manual pour-over coffee maker that produces a clean, bright, and flavorful cup of coffee. Its unique hourglass shape and proprietary filter make it a favorite among specialty coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas alike. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of brewing a delicious and aromatic cup of our Ethiopian East Harrar Abidir using a Chemex.
Materials
- Chemex
- Chemex filters
- Scale
- Timer
- Water kettle or other heating source
- Mug or carafe
- Ethiopian East Harrar Abidir Coffee
Instructions
- Heat 600 grams (600 mL) of water to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fold the filter such that one side has three layers and the other has only one.
- Place the filter in the Chemex. Ensure the side with three layers is aligned with the spout.
- Grind approximately 42 grams of coffee to a grind size that’s a bit coarser than medium.
- Start your timer and pour the coffee into the filter.
- Slowly pour ~60 grams of water over the coffee grounds in a smooth, circular motion. Ensure you’ve saturated the grounds fully and evenly.
- Allow the coffee to bloom for 25 to 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour the rest of the water (~540 grams) over the coffee in the same motion as before.
- Once all of the water has been added, let the coffee brew for roughly 4 minutes.
- Carefully remove the filter and dispose of the grounds.
- Give the Chemex a gentle swirl and pour yourself a cup (or two).
The instructions above serve as a great starting point but don’t be afraid to experiment with different coffee to water ratios, temperatures, and brewing times to create your own perfect cup. The Chemex can be difficult to master at first, so don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of things.
For a truly immersive experience, consider our Tour of Africa, which contains two, 12 oz. bags of our small batch specialty coffee.
We hope you enjoyed this guide! We would love to see your brewing experience and hear about your results. Share your photos and thoughts on Instagram and tag us @mauchchunkcoffee.