How to make the Perfect Chemex Filter Coffee.

Making the perfect Chemex filter coffee is all about getting the right balance of coffee, water, and technique. The Chemex, with its elegant design and thick paper filters, delivers a clean, smooth cup of coffee with rich flavours. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you brew the perfect cup every time:

What You'll Need:

If you don’t have any of these, we’ve attached the exact products we use at Loco.

• Chemex Coffee Maker https://amzn.to/4gYSvUX

• Chemex Filters https://amzn.to/4gGeq3p

• Freshly Ground Coffee (medium-coarse grind, similar to sea salt)

• Filtered Water

• Scale https://amzn.to/4gJgwQ8

• Gooseneck Kettle https://amzn.to/3DKjUf5 (for precise pouring)

• Timer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pre-wet the Filter

• Place a Chemex filter into the top of the Chemex, ensuring the 3-layered side is facing the spout.

• Rinse the filter with hot water. This removes any papery taste and preheats the Chemex. Pour the water slowly to soak the filter thoroughly, and then discard the rinse water.

2. Measure Your Coffee

• Use a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:15 to 1:16 (e.g., 20g of coffee to 300ml of water). You can adjust this depending on your strength preference.

• Weigh the coffee beans using your scale, and grind them to a medium-coarse consistency. The grind should resemble sea salt — not too fine, but not too coarse either.

3. Boil the Water

• Heat your water to around 200°F (93°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds before using it. This is the ideal temperature for extracting the full flavour from the coffee.

4. Add Coffee Grounds

• Pour the ground coffee into the pre-wet filter. Give the Chemex a gentle shake to level the grounds.

5. Bloom the Coffee

• Start your timer and pour just enough water (about 40-60ml) to fully saturate the grounds. This is called the bloom. The coffee will release carbon dioxide, which causes it to "bloom" or swell. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds. This step enhances the coffee’s flavour by allowing the gases to escape before brewing.

6. Brew the Coffee

• After blooming, begin pouring the water in slow, circular motions, starting from the centre and spiralling outward, covering all the coffee grounds evenly. Pour in increments of about 50-75ml at a time, letting the water gently rise and then fall before adding more.

• Maintain a consistent pour, avoiding pouring directly onto the filter. Make sure to keep the water level just below the rim, but never allow the water to flow too fast (which can cause over-extraction).

• Continue pouring until you’ve added all your water (around 300ml for 20g of coffee, but adjust according to your desired strength).

7. Let the Coffee Drain

• Allow the water to fully drain through the coffee grounds. The brewing process should take about 3.5 to 4 minutes in total.

• If the brew finishes too quickly or too slowly, adjust your grind. A faster flow indicates your coffee is too coarse; a slower flow suggests it’s too fine.

8. Serve and Enjoy

• Once the brewing process is complete and all the water has filtered through, remove the Chemex filter carefully and discard it.

• Pour the freshly brewed coffee into your cup. Enjoy it as-is, or adjust with milk or sugar if preferred (although we recommend tasting it black first to appreciate the clean flavours).

Additional Tips for Perfect Chemex Coffee:

• Freshness Matters: Always use freshly ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee loses its aroma and flavour quickly, so grind just before brewing.

• Water Quality: Use filtered water whenever possible. Impurities and chlorine in tap water can negatively impact the flavour of your coffee.

• Stirring: After pouring, feel free to gently stir the coffee grounds once or twice to ensure even extraction, especially if you notice dry patches during the bloom.

• Experiment with Ratios: While the 1:15 ratio is a great starting point, feel free to experiment with different ratios to find your perfect strength. You can go as strong as 1:14 for a bolder cup or 1:16 for a lighter brew.

With these steps, you'll be able to brew a perfect cup of coffee on your Chemex every time. Enjoy the process, and savour the delicious, clean flavours that this beautiful coffee maker is known for!