Jul 11 2008
More on the chemex
The new kid on the block.
After two weeks of trying and failing to use some filters I bought from the supermarket, I finally ordered myself up some genuine Chemex coffee filters from Sweet Maria’s (along with a couple of pounds of coffee beans of course). The store bought filters kept collapsing on me as I poured the hot water over the grounds. I would be pouring away thinking about how good this coffee was going to be, then suddenly the the filter would start shaking and making funny sounds and then collapse in on itself and slide sown the hole and land on the bottom of the coffee maker with a plop. The Chemex Brand filters look like folded napkins out of the box and have a very coarse consistency. They are much heavier than the other filters I had been using and also much bigger, the triangle tops rise out of the inverted cone lik wings of an albatross.
I decided to use some Finca El Robles that I had roasted very light as my first test subject. This coffee, at city roast, had come out very citrus like when I brewed it in my French Press and I was curious to see what the chemex would turn it into. The resulting cup was par excellent. It was nice and smooth, yet had body that you usually do not get when doing the drip. My only complaint was that it was a little too clean and bright without any bitterness. I know that the chemist who invented the chemex, did so in order to get the perfect cup of coffee free of bitterness, but honestly, I like a little bitter in my brew. Still it was a great cup and I plan to use my new toy until I get sick of it.
