How to Brew Coffee with a Chemex

The Chemex is as beautiful to look at as it is to brew with. Its distinctive design and specially thick paper filters produce an exceptionally clean, crisp cup, allowing the delicate flavours and aromas of your coffee to shine.

If you're looking to experience the true character of a coffee's origin, the Chemex is one of the best brewing methods to choose. It highlights the flavours shaped by the landscape, climate and care that go into every Cafédirect coffee.

You'll need:

• Medium-coarse ground Cafédirect coffee
• Chemex brewer
• Chemex paper filter
• Gooseneck kettle (recommended)
• Fresh water heated to 92–96°C
• Digital scales
• Timer

1. Fold your Chemex filter and place it into the brewer, ensuring the thicker side sits over the pouring spout.
2. Rinse the filter thoroughly with hot water to remove any papery taste and warm the Chemex. Carefully discard the rinse water.
3. Add your ground coffee to the filter and gently level the coffee bed.
4. Place the Chemex on your scales, reset to zero and start your timer.
5. Begin by pouring a small amount of hot water evenly over all the coffee grounds until they're fully saturated. Leave for around 30–45 seconds to allow the coffee to bloom.
6. Continue pouring the remaining water slowly in steady circular motions, keeping the coffee bed evenly saturated throughout the brew.
7. Aim for a total brew time of around 3½–4½ minutes, depending on your recipe and grind size.
8. Once the coffee has finished dripping through, remove the filter, gently swirl the brewed coffee and pour.

• Always rinse the filter before brewing to improve flavour and preheat the brewer.
• A medium-coarse grind helps create the Chemex's signature clean, balanced cup.
• Pour slowly and evenly, avoiding the edges of the paper filter.
• Freshly ground coffee will give you the brightest aromas and clearest flavours.
• Small adjustments to your grind size can make a big difference. If your coffee tastes bitter, try grinding slightly coarser. If it tastes weak or sour, try a slightly finer grind.

The Chemex is particularly well suited to our single origin coffees, allowing their unique flavour characteristics to take centre stage.

Its clean brewing style brings out delicate fruit notes, balanced sweetness and subtle complexity, making it an excellent choice for our single origins.