CHEMEX- WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO USE IT
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t was back in 1941 when a German chemist, Peter J. Schlumbohm, invented this brewing device. He combined a laboratory glass funnel and an Erlenmeyer flask still widely used in laboratories. In this combination, an air funnel was needed to make a space for the air escaping when water was poured in. This funnel is up in the front of the device. Also, to save hands from the heat, he added a wooden belt to the waist of Chemex.
Method when brewing coffee with a Chemex This is one of the devices that use brewing method called ”infusion”, sometimes also called ”drip” or ”gravity brew”. Infusion is the method where water is running through the coffee bed in a filter and down into a vessel below. Other methods of brewing are immersion.
How to brew coffee with a Chemex? A barista should remember the fundamentals of brewing coffee, what ever the method and the device is. Follow the list below for TOP TIPS FOR THE PERFECT CUPPA!!
1. GRIND SIZE AND BREW TIME: These two walk hand in hand. Coarser the grind, faster the water flow. Aim to at least a couple of minutes when using a Chemex - depending on the dose. Use quite coarse grind. Not too coarse as the water will pass the coffee bed too quickly and you will end up with under-extracted coffee. On the other hand, too fine grind size can block the brew completely and nothing comes out from the filter. The key is finer the grind, more extraction and more flavour.
2. FILTER: There are a couple of types of filters you can use for a Chemex. First, the bleached and unbleached paper filters. We recommend the bleached ones, read here why! Papers are available in square form, halfmoon shaped as well as round ones and they all are pre-folded. Half-moon shaped are available also unfolded. No matter which of the paper filters you choose, it is important to place it correctly into the Chemex. Here is how the manufacturer guides you to do it:
• Place your finger between the 3rd and 4th layer and open into a funnel. • Place the funnel in the top portion of the Chemex coffeemaker, with 3 layers on the groove side 36 |
