The Chemex. One of the most recognizable coffee brewers in the coffee industry. A popular brewer among baristas, minimalists, and those seeking the "minimalist aesthetic". The Chemex is undeniably a beautiful brewer, but the real "magic" of it actually has very little to do with the borosilicate glassware itself. It actually comes from its extremely thick filters. Chemex filters come in a variety of options, but I prefer the basic prefolded square bleached ones. 

​

Like with most pour-overs, you have to rinse the filter prior to brewing. However, with the Chemex filters this is incredibly vital. The filters are 3x thicker than the standard coffee filter. This is where it gets its brewing differentials. That extra thick filter allows far less of the solubles through and catches a significant amount of coffee oils as well. This produces a very clean, almost tea-like cup of coffee when brewed properly. It allows for more nuanced flavors to shine brightly through, as the more volatile flavors that would otherwise overpower them have been caught by the thick filter. 

​

Chemex has a cult-like following, a result of being around for the past 70+ years. It isn't without it's critics, however. The Chemex changes the overall flavor of the coffee to such an extent that some find it to be over-filtering. While it allows some of the hidden flavors to shine through, it eliminates a lot of the flavors that could bring a different balance and body to the cup. As with any brewer, it is not perfect and there is definite give and take. All this being equal, the Chemex has withstood the test of time and has earned its spot in any brew bar setup. Even if you don't use it to make coffee, it makes an excellent vase, water pitcher, or decorative shelf piece. I personally have a 3 cup for coffee-use and my first chemex (the 8 cup) sits proudly on a shelf in my living room.  

​

​