James Hoffmann's Chemex Recipe

Time
4m 15s
Serves
2
Method
Chemex
Coffee to water ratio
3:50

This is the James Hoffmann's recipe for the Chemex. It's a recipe adapted from his V60 recipe. It produces two cups of coffee with a water to coffee ratio of 3:50. The process includes a couple deliberate agitations of the coffee slurry to encourage extra extraction.

This recipe can be used for any Chemex model larger than the 6 Cup.

Notes

  • If you the drawdown ends too fast, then grind your coffee finer, if it ends too slowly, grind coarser.
  • When placing the filter, make sure the three layered side faces the spout. This helps prevent the paper from adhering to the spout, which can block the airflow into the base and causing your brew to stop flowing.

Recipe Preparation

Coffee
  • 30g
  • Medium grind
  • Medium roast
Water
  • 500g
  • 100°C / 212°F
Equipment
  • Chemex
  • Paper Filter
  • Spoon
  • Gooseneck Kettle
  • Scales
  • Place a filter in the Chemex.
  • Rinse the paper filter and Chemex with hot water to remove any papery taste and to heat up the brewer. Empty the Chemex of the water.
  • Place coffee in the filter and shake to level the grounds. Create a divot in the middle of the coffee.
  • Place on the brewer on the scales and tare.
  • Start the timer when your water is ready.

Timer for James Hoffmann's Chemex

Time
00:00
Remaining
04:15
01:0002:0003:0004:00
Bloom 00:10

Pour 80g (or 60-90g) of water in gentle circles within 10 seconds. Make sure to saturate all the coffee.

Wait 00:35

Let the coffee bloom for 35 seconds.

Steps

  1. 1. Bloom

    Pour 80g (or 60-90g) of water in gentle circles within 10 seconds. Make sure to saturate all the coffee.

  2. 2. Wait

    Let the coffee bloom for 35 seconds.

  3. 3. Circle Pour

    Circle pour 220g of water (or a total 300g if you have used a different amount of water for the bloom) within 30 seconds.

  4. 4. Circle Pour

    Circle pour 200g of water to a total 500g within 30 seconds.

  5. 5. Stir

    With a spoon stir the mixture gently once clockwise, and then counter clockwise.

  6. 6. Wait

    Wait for 10 seconds.

  7. 7. Shake

    Shake the brewer gently for 3 seconds.

  8. 8. Wait

    Wait for the coffee to drawdown. Your brew should end around 4:10.

  9. 9. Remove filter

    Remove the filter and swirl your coffee.

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