The Chemex coffee maker is a beautiful, minimalist-looking coffee brewer. But unlike the minimalist-looking "Scandinavian" work-at-home desk you bought off Wayfair during the pandemic, it's not just the looks that make it great.
No, sir—more importantly, it makes a great cup of coffee. In fact, some baristas would even say it’s possible to make a perfect cup of coffee with just a Chemex and the right beans.
That’s a tall order (literally). When you want to make perfect Chemex pour over, here's what you need to do:
1. Start with the right beans
If you want to make the perfect cup of coffee, you need to start with the right beans. Make sure to choose a high-quality coffee bean that has been roasted to perfection. You can find these beans at your local coffee shop or online.
2. Grind the beans yourself
Once you have the right beans, it's time to grind them yourself. This will ensure that your coffee is fresh and flavorful. Use a high-quality coffee grinder to get the perfect grind. (I recommend using a burr grinder—hey, this guide is about making perfect Chemex coffee, after all.)
3. Boil the water
Now that you have the beans and the water, it's time to get brewing. Bring the water to a boil and then let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring it over the grounds. Of course, if you're fortunate enough to already have a kettle with a built-in thermometer, use that to ensure that the water is at the perfect temperature. You want it around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally. The most important thing is that the water isn't boiling when you pour it over the grounds.
4. Pour the water over the grounds (Blooming)
Once the water is at the right temperature, it's time to start pouring. Slowly pour the water over the grounds, making sure to evenly distribute it. Be careful not to overfill the Chemex—you should only fill it up to about halfway. Stand back for about 30 seconds or so, and watch as the coffee grounds "bloom." (This is when the coffee grounds expand and release their gasses.)
5. Fill it up the rest of the way
Once the bloom subsides, you can fill the Chemex filter the rest of the way. Slowly pour the water in a spiral motion, starting from the outside and working your way in. Try not to disturb the grounds too much, or you'll end up with some uneven extraction. And that's not perfect.
5. Let it brew
Now all you have to do is wait. Let the coffee brew for about four minutes before moving on to the next step (depending on how strong you like your coffee).
6. Pour it into a cup
Once the coffee is finished brewing, it's time to pour it into a cup—slowly and evenly. Be careful not to overfill your cup—you should only fill it up to about halfway.
7.Drink your perfect Chemex pour over!
This is my personal favorite step of the whole Chemex process. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious—nay, perfect Chemex pour over.
Do you really need a Chemex branded pourover brewer to brew a perfect cup of pour over? No, of course not. But even if you're just looking to brew great pour over coffee in general, follow the steps above. Just make sure to follow the steps above and you'll be enjoying a perfect cup of Chemex pour over coffee in no time.
Tip: If you want to experiment, you can try different coffee-to-water ratios or experiment with different brewing times. But the steps above should give you a solid starting point on the quest for the perfect pour over.
Espro Bloom Pour Over
$34.95
Release the full potential of your favorite coffee in just two minutes. 1502 hole micro filter and brew bed consistently bring out the best in your coffee. Spiral pattern helps evenly distribute water. Use with Espro paper filters for a… read more
