Coffee extraction with Chemex

The Chemex is one of the most loved coffee extraction tools by coffee lovers and designers on an international level for its style halfway between vintage and elegance. Invented in 1941 by the German chemist Peter J.Schlumbohm, it has an hourglass shape completely made of glass with a wooden neck stopped by a leather cord that guarantees safe pouring.

In 1958 the designers of the Illinois Institute of Technology considered that the Chemex was one of the best design projects of modern times and it was exhibited and included in the permanent collection of the MoMa in New York.
It is a slow extraction method that can take several minutes to complete and can create very aromatic clean cups.

How to use the Chemex to extract coffee 

• Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
• Heat the water to a temperature between 92° and 94° C
• Place the Chemex filter in the upper part of the carafe and wet it with hot water through a kettle to remove any hints of paper and to heat the carafe that will contain the coffee.
• Discard the water and add the ground coffee to the filter.
• Pour a small amount of hot water over the ground coffee and leave to infuse for approximately 30 seconds. This step is called "pre-infusion" and is very important because at this moment we release carbon dioxide from the coffee and retain the positive aromas.
• After 30 seconds, slowly pour the rest of the hot water over the coffee in circular motions, making sure to wet all the grounds.
• Wait for the coffee to finish its extraction into the carafe.
• Remove the filter 
• Pour the coffee into the cup and taste.

What are the recommended coffees for preparation with the Chemex?

Certainly, for filter extraction it is always recommended to use Arabica, medium-light roasted and freshly ground so as not to lose the important aromatic notes .
 
Cellini Caffè, thanks to the expertise of its Q Graders, has developed unique blends of Specialty Arabica and Fine Robusta, which can also be used for Chemex extraction. Each blend offers an extraordinary tasting experience, revealing a combination of distinct flavors and aromas.

The first blend is characterized by refreshing notes of citrus fruits, which delicately blend with a light touch of bitter cocoa. This combination creates a cup of coffee that is a true pleasure for the senses, offering a unique and stimulating tasting experience.

The second blend stands out for its fruity notes and hints of cereals, creating a truly special combination of flavors. This blend offers a rich and satisfying coffee experience, with a harmonious balance between the different aromatic notes.

How to adjust the coffee grind for the Chemex 

• Choose manual or electric coffee grinding and adjust the medium-coarse coffee grain size.
• If the grind is too fine, the drink will certainly be very bitter and extraction times will be much longer 
• If the grind is too coarse, the coffee will be under-extracted and with very few aromatic parts 

The coffee extracted following our steps will be delicate, light and with intense floral and/or fruity aromas.