Chemex

Personally, I think a pour-over method is the best way to drink coffee on the weekends. A little more care, a little slower pace, and a whole lot more flavor than the commuter cup of coffee we have become accustomed to.  The Chemex is one of my absolute favorites and frankly, is a manly way to drink coffee.

The Chemex is one of the classic gravity-fed, slow drip, pour-over coffee brewing methods. The slow drip into the glass carafe reduces acidity, and slowly extracts the subtle tasting notes contained in the coffee.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1
Open the Chemex filter into a cone and place into the Chemex, with the thicker, multi-layered side of the filter against the pouring spout. Rinse the filter with plenty of near-boiling water. This preheats the Chemex pot and also ensures any paper-like flavors are flushed out before the coffee is brewed. Leaving the filter in place, discard the water.

Step 2
Weigh out 44 grams, about 5 level tablespoons, of whole beans. Using a burr grinder, grind the beans to a "flat bottom" coffee filter consistency (12:00 on the commercial grinders).

Step 3
Add your freshly ground coffee into the filter and make a gentle "divot" in the center. Place Chemex pot on your digital scale and tare to ‘0 grams.’

Step 4
Now we're ready to start brewing. Once your water has reached a boil, allow it to cool a few degrees, waiting about 90 seconds before brewing (from boiling water to optimal brewing temperature of 200 degrees, it takes 90 seconds). Then slowly pour the freshly boiled water into the center of the bed of grounds until your scale reads ‘60 grams’ (2 liquid ounces). Let stand for 45 seconds, allowing the dry coffee to absorb the water. This pre-saturation is called a 'bloom,' and the goal is to fully saturate the coffee grounds without any water dripping through the filter.

Step 5
Following the bloom, begin pouring a steady, even stream of hot water over the grounds in a circular motion. Take care not to pour directly onto the sides of the Chemex, and keep the water level below the rim of the pot, so it does not overflow. Continue slowly pouring until your digital scale has reached ‘700 grams’. Shoot for a target brewing time of 4:00 minutes. If your brew finishes quicker than 4:00, then your grind setting is too coarse. If takes longer than 4:00, then your grind setting is too fine. Adjust accordingly.

Step 6
When all of the water has dripped through the filter, the volume of coffee should be level with the raised glass button on the side of the Chemex pot. Remove and discard the filter and brewed grounds. Finally, pour your coffee into a favorite mug, smile, and enjoy.