Syphon, Intelligentsia from Department of the 4th Dimension on Vimeo.

Espresso, Intelligentsia from Department of the 4th Dimension on Vimeo.

It’s been fun with Stumptown, but looking forward to getting back to Intelligentsia and tearing into a bag of Yummy Espresso blend.

I was introduced to the Chemex through cupping and coffee & food pairing classes I have been taking at Intelligentsia’s NYC Training Lab in Soho. I was immediately amazed at how refreshing the coffee tasted. It was sediment free and had a crispness and clarity about the coffee, which I had never really experienced before. For me, it elevated brew coffee into the same stratosphere in which I had placed espresso – well, not quite, but I now hold drip in much higher regard than previously. If you have never had coffee brewed in a Chemex pot, the best way I can describe it is to say it brews a very pure and clean cup bursting with flavors. This brew method removes a lot of the acid that normally creates a sour taste in coffee. The Chemex does more than just brew a delicious pot of coffee – it is also considered a work of art and is part of MoMA’s collection. As I cruise around to various coffee shops, I am starting to see more and more Chemex brewers. People are talking about the Chemex and aware of it’s revival on the coffee scene.

Not everyone likes it or appreciates its revival. Check out this post here on coffeed.com. I can say that my wife doesn’t like it either. She groans when I brew a pot because she’d rather have me pull shots and steam milk for her cappuccino, or brew a French Press if I’m making drip. She likes the body of the Press. It has a heavier and grittier feel on tongue, and brings out some of the deeper notes of the coffee. The Chemex has been growing on her though, and I think it won’t be too long before she takes more of a liking to the Chemex when we brew drip coffee.

If you’ve never tried a Chemex, I highly recommend you do. They are very inexpensive, ~$30. Instructions on using one can be found here. Make sure you use freshly roasted beans, grind right before brewing, and use the specially designed Chemex filters. The end result will be one of the most delicious tasting cups of coffee you’ve ever had in your life AND you will have a new piece of artwork in the home.