How to use a Chemex filter to make specialty coffee

The Chemex machine and filter are among the earliest machines designed for making specialty (drip) coffee. It consists of a glass carafe and filter, and was manufactured in 1941. It is listed in the Modern Art Collection in New York City, where it is considered one of the finest products of the modern era.

Specialty coffee, or drip coffee as some call it, is made from the finest coffee beans in the world, which are grown and carefully cultivated. They are then purified and filtered to ensure they are exceptionally pure and have a wonderful taste. Chemex remains a staple for all specialty coffee lovers.

What does Chemex specialty coffee look like?

The Chemex coffee maker consists of an hourglass-shaped glass carafe with a funnel-like, conical neck and special filters. These filters are made of a durable paper material, which is thicker than the standard paper filters used in drip coffee making.

The most attractive feature of the Chemex is its heat-resistant wooden collar around the neck, allowing for easy handling and pouring when filled with hot coffee. The collar is wound and then split into two sections to fit around the glass neck.

The two pieces are loosely held in place by a rubber band. The manually tied knot remains a distinctive feature of the Chemex filter even after technological and industrial advancements in the Chemex machine industry.

What are the advantages of a Chemex coffee filter?

The thick paper of Chemex filters removes most of the coffee's oils, resulting in a much "cleaner" cup of coffee than that produced by other coffee-making systems. This "cleaner" cup extracts caffeine and flavor while removing bitter notes. The thicker filters may also help remove more cafestol, a cholesterol-like compound found in coffee.

How do you use a Chemex filter to make specialty coffee?

First step: Amount of coffee and water

The amount of coffee and water varies depending on the type of coffee you're making and your preferred strength. As a starting point, we recommend using 50 grams of coffee and 700 grams of water, then adjusting to your taste. Weigh the coffee and grind it to a coarse consistency, similar to sea salt, not too fine, so it doesn't stick to the filter wall and prevent the water from flowing through.

Step two: Place the Chemex filter in the neck

Open the filter pleats and place it in your Chemex, making sure that the tri-ply part is facing the pouring nozzle and is firmly positioned, and making sure it is secured.

Step three: Secure the filter with water

Fill the filter completely with hot water and also heat the container with hot water. Dispose of this water through the pouring tap.

Step four: Place the coffee in the filter.

Pour the ground coffee into the filter and shake gently. This will level the surface and arrange the coffee grounds, allowing for a more even pour.

Step five: Saturate the grains with water

In the center of the filter, gently pour twice the amount of water you would use for ground coffee (for example, 50 grams of water if you have 25 grams of coffee). Start by pouring the coffee towards the center of the filter, avoiding pouring down the sides. You'll notice that adding this amount of water causes the coffee to expand or "swell," so let it sit for 45-55 seconds to ensure all the grounds are saturated.

Step six: Pour in a circular motion

Pour water in a circular motion starting from the center. Swirl outwards towards the edge of the filter. Avoid pouring onto the filter. Allow the water to drip through the crushed granules. You should use approximately 200 grams of water for this pouring.

Step seven: Repeat

Repeat the same pouring pattern as in step six, adding water in 200-gram increments. Repeat the process again, allowing the water to seep through the ground coffee until the very fine beans settle to the bottom of the filter before starting the next pour.

Step eight: Wait

Allow the water to drip completely through the granules.

Step nine: Just a few minutes

Preparation should take between 3.5 and 4.5 minutes. If preparation is too quick, consider using a finer grind or a slower pouring rate next time. If preparation is too slow, consider using a coarser grind or a faster pouring rate.

We hope you enjoy the perfect cup of coffee to start your day with energy. We recommend purchasing specialty coffee beans in Saudi Arabia to create high-quality specialty coffee. Drip On's specialty coffee beans are selected from the world's finest coffee farms and roasted with meticulous care to bring out the unique characteristics of each variety. You can also purchase a specialty coffee dripper to precisely control the amount of water poured.