A cup of coffee in the evening, as part of my family’s snacks, has become one of my favorite routines. Most of the time, I follow James Hoffmann’s Chemex Recipe.
The Chemex looks fancy, but don’t worry. It’s easy to use if you follow the proper steps: grinding fresh beans, boiling water, and slowly brewing a cup, which makes the event memorable.
I enjoy brewing a smooth, bright cup every time. It’s clean and straightforward, tastes like it came straight from a café.
Why You Will Love this Copycat Recipe!
James Hoffmann offers helpful tips that enhance the flavor, making it balanced and rich. You must copy it correctly, and then you may feel your cup is better than any coffee shop.
This recipe delivers exactly how you like it, instead of being a “one-size-fits-all.” It is less bitter and much brighter, which makes it stand out. The homemade version allows you to adjust every detail, like grind size, water temperature, and how you pour.
James Hoffmann’s Chemex Recipe at home offers a better version of your cup than other shops. It can make your mornings more enjoyable.
Ingredients for James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe
- Coffee beans (30g): Freshly ground medium-coarse grind beans give the most decadent flavor.
- Water (500g): Heat filtered water to about 200°F, just off the boil. Too hot and it can taste unpleasant; too cool and it may taste flat.
- A pinch of salt: Use only if your water is very soft. A tiny pinch helps balance the flavor.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Chemex (6-cup or 8-cup)
- Chemex paper filter
- Burr grinder
- Kettle
- Digital scale (optional)
- Stir stick or spoon
- Chopstick (optional)
How To Make James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Filter and Rinse It
Place the filter in your Chemex triple-folded side facing the spout to prevent clogging by escaping air. Flush the filter with hot water to remove the papery taste, heat the glass, and rinse the water before brewing.
Step 2: Grind and Add Your Coffee
Grind 30 grams of coffee beans to the size of sea salt. Place the grounds in the filter and gently shake the Chemex to spread them out evenly. The flat layer of coffee allows the water to flow evenly while brewing.
Step 3: Bloom Your Coffee
Pour 60 to 90g of hot water over the coffee grounds in slow circles, so that all the coffee gets wet. This blooming step helps release gas and enhance the flavor. Wait 45 seconds before pouring more water.
Step 4: Continue the Bloom Phase
Repeat bloom circles 3 to 4 times to reach pouring 500 grams of water. Ensure all water drops slightly before each new pour. This steady process helps make a smoother cup.
Step 5: Final Stir and Swirl
After you pour all the water, gently stir the coffee with a spoon or stir stick. Swirl the Chemex to clean the coffee grounds and help the water drain.
Step 6: Let It Finish Dripping
Let the coffee drip completely. The brewing should take about 4 to 5 minutes. If it takes longer, your grind is too fine. If it’s faster, the grind is too coarse. Adjust it next time to improve the flavor.
Chef’s Note + Tips
- Swirling at the end makes the flavor more even.
- If coffee tastes too bitter, try a coarser grind.
- If coffee tastes weak, use a finer grind.
- If you don’t have a scale, you can measure about four heaping tablespoons of beans.
- If you don’t have filtered water, let your tap water sit out to reduce the chlorine taste.
- Depending on the flavor you enjoy, you can swap in lighter or darker roasts.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
Chemex coffee is best enjoyed fresh, but can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you like iced coffee, pour the cooled brew over ice, or freeze it in ice cube trays to use for cold coffee drinks later.
If the coffee smells sour, looks cloudy, or tastes off, it’s best to throw it away. That means it has gone bad and isn’t safe to drink.
What to Serve with James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe
A good cup of Chemex coffee pairs beautifully with many simple foods.
Here are some of my favorite combos:
- Buttery layers of a fresh croissant with a smooth coffee are a divine match.
- The clean flavor of coffee balances the scrambled eggs with toast and brings out the eggs’ richness.
- Sweet and tart flavors of Blueberry muffins or Pumpkin Cakes highlight the coffee’s brightness.
- The creamy texture of Avocado toast goes well with Chemex’s crisp taste.
- Tangy Greek yogurt with honey-nuts makes the coffee feel even smoother.
- Sweet and chewy Chocolate chip cookies pair with the coffee’s deep notes.
- Mild Cheese platter tastes surprisingly good with a bright cup.
James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe FAQs
1: Can I use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee if you’re short on time. While freshly ground coffee gives a brighter and richer cup, pre-ground coffee can still work.
2: What type of beans are best for this recipe?
Start with Medium-roasted beans, which provide the most balanced flavor in a Chemex, and then adjust according to your taste. Light roasts highlight fruity and floral notes, while dark roasts create a richer and heavier brew.
3: How important is the water temperature?
Water temperature is crucial. Water boiling can burn the coffee and make it bitter, while water cooler than 190°F may make the flavor taste flat. Boil water at 200°F, then let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring.
4: Why do I need to bloom the coffee?
Blooming releases carbon dioxide from freshly ground beans. If you skip it, water won’t flow evenly, and your coffee may taste sour or uneven. That 45-second bloom step makes a big difference in the final flavor.
5: Can I make a larger batch with this recipe?
Yes. Just keep the ratio about 1 part coffee to 16 parts water, for example, 60g coffee to 1,000g water. Ensure your Chemex is large enough to hold the batch.
6: What if my coffee tastes too weak or too strong?
It is likely too coarse if your grind tastes weak or needs more coffee. Alternatively, it may be too fine if it tastes too strong or bitter. Minor adjustments in grind size or coffee amount usually fix the problem.
7: Can I skip the final swirl?
You can, but the swirl helps level the coffee bed and makes the brew more even. You might notice stronger or weaker flavors in your cup without it. It’s a small step that gives a smoother result.
James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the filter in your Chemex triple-folded side facing the spout to prevent clogging by escaping air. Flush the filter with hot water to remove the papery taste, heat the glass, and rinse the water before brewing.
- Grind 30 grams of coffee beans to the size of sea salt. Place the grounds in the filter and gently shake the Chemex to spread them out evenly. The flat layer of coffee allows the water to flow evenly while brewing.
- Pour 60 to 90g of hot water over the coffee grounds in slow circles, so that all the coffee gets wet. This blooming step helps release gas and enhance the flavor. Wait 45 seconds before pouring more water.
- Repeat bloom circles 3 to 4 times to reach pouring 500 grams of water. Ensure all water drops slightly before each new pour. This steady process helps make a smoother cup.
- After you pour all the water, gently stir the coffee with a spoon or stir stick. Swirl the Chemex to clean the coffee grounds and help the water drain.
- Let the coffee drip completely. The brewing should take about 4 to 5 minutes. If it takes longer, your grind is too fine. If it’s faster, the grind is too coarse. Adjust it next time to improve the flavor.
- Let It Finish Dripping
The James Hoffmann Chemex Recipe is simple to follow. With proper techniques and patience, you can brew an ideal cup, resulting in a clean, balanced cup of coffee that always feels special in your hand and tastes better than most cafés. Once you master it, this recipe can turn your mornings into something enjoyable.
