Chemex: A symphony of coffee and design
The story of the Chemex begins in 1941, when German chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm invented it. Schlumbohm's goal was to make brewing coffee as simple and pure as possible. In doing so, he achieved a breakthrough: a coffee maker that combines both brewing and serving in a single, elegant device.
The Chemex is a coffee maker that impresses at first glance with its minimalist design. An hourglass-shaped carafe made of heat-resistant glass, a wooden collar with a leather tie, and a special paper Chemex filter are its only components. Despite its simple appearance, though, the Chemex allows for remarkable control over the brewing process.
The secret to perfect coffee with the Chemex lies in the combination of slow extraction and special filters. Chemex filters are noticeably heavier and thicker than conventional coffee filters, which means more oils, fats and sediment are held back. The result is a clear, clean cup of coffee that brings out the fine flavour notes and aromas of the beans used.
The Chemex isn't just a tool for brewing excellent coffee, it's also an expression of a mindful, tasteful lifestyle. It stands for an appreciation of craftsmanship, quality and design. With its timelessness and elegance, it fits into any kitchen and offers, again and again, the pleasure of watching coffee being made.
Over the past decades, the Chemex has won a loyal following among coffee lovers and baristas around the world. It has secured its place in the history of coffee and remains a consistently popular brewing tool that delights coffee lovers everywhere with its incomparable taste experience.
Whether you're a connoisseur who appreciates the nuances of every sip, or someone who simply wants to enjoy an excellent cup of coffee, the Chemex invites you to experience coffee in its purest, most flavourful form. So take a moment, pour, and let yourself be charmed by the Chemex.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Chemex
Who invented the Chemex?
Chemist Peter Schlumbohm. He designed and patented it in 1941. Today it's manufactured in Massachusetts.
Is the Chemex really in the Museum of Modern Art?
Yes. MoMA lists the «Chemex Coffee Maker», Peter Schlumbohm, 1941, in its collection – you can check this directly with the museum. Chemex itself is vaguer about it and only speaks of «prestigious museums».
What variants are there?
The Classic Series in 3, 6, 8 and 10 cup, the Glass Handle Series in the same sizes and in special editions, the mouth-blown Handblown Series, plus the ChemAer, the electric Ottomatic 2.0, and the Funnex for a single cup.
What's special about Chemex filters?
They're made of pure pine pulp and are noticeably heavier than typical filter papers. When inserting them, three layers face the spout – this stabilises the filter while letting air escape at the same time.
Are the white filters bleached?
No. Chemex explicitly states that no bleach or chemicals are used: the white filters go through an oxygen bath and several hot-water baths, while the natural-coloured ones only go through hot-water baths.
Are Chemex filters really thicker than others?
The manufacturer says «heavy weight and texture» but doesn't give a figure. The often-quoted «20 to 30 percent thicker» appears nowhere in Chemex's own materials – anyone who reads that number is reading something passed along secondhand.
What does coffee from the Chemex taste like?
Bright and clean, with light body – the thick paper holds back more oils and fine particles than a normal filter. Whether you like that is a matter of taste: some people love exactly this clarity, others miss the fuller body.
What grind size do I need?
A bit coarser than for the V60, because the filter drains more slowly. If the brew stalls, the grind is too fine or the filter is sitting too tightly against the glass.
Sources: Invention, manufacturing location, model ranges and filter production per chemexcoffeemaker.com; inclusion in the MoMA collection via moma.org. The percentage figure for filter thickness is not documented by the manufacturer.
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