Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Chemex

After hearing all these positive reactions on this Chemex Coffeemaker (James Hoffman and Tim Wendelboe f.i.) i decided to order me 4 small ones. They arrived a couple of weeks ago and surprized me with their elegant design and simplicity.

The Chemex Coffeemaker was invented by German Peter J. Schlumbohm in 1941 in New York City.

We call it a 'Chemex', although the word 'Chemex' actually stands for the wooden collar/handle (with tie) in the middle.
The glass is heat proof, laboratory grade, borosilicate glass. And the filter paper is different from the ones we know as 'Melitta' filters. It's 20-30% heavier, very strong and it removes even the finest sediment particles as well as the undesirable oils and fats. The formulation of the filter permits the proper infusion time by regulating the filtration rate - not too slow, not too fast.

I'm still in the experimental stages and will probably get you a couple of Chemex brew reviews soon.
I kept two for myself (one at home and one on display at Caffènation) and gave one to Peter (Deprez) and one to (my roaster) Jean, who is really impressed by the it's pure, non-bitter extractions, best comparable with these from the Aeropress coffee maker.

If you want this fine and unique piece of design you have to contact the company in the States.
www.chemexcoffeemaker.com
Top tip Rob : if you contact them directly (by phone/mail), you can also order their Taiwanese models. They are a whole lot cheaper, but not available at the online store.

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