50 Comments

My parents used a Chemex in the 60’s and 70’s and that’s how I learned to make coffee. The brr and bloom were very familiar terms to me in the day, your article brought it all back to me. I think I’ll buy one!

Expand full comment

How great, Martha! Lucky you growing up with one! When I’m not using it, it just looks so nice on the counter. “Beautility”, for sure!

Expand full comment

Yep, I used one of those in the 70s. So interesting to learn about it!

Expand full comment

Did you like using it, Deborah? I had no idea about the history till I wrote about it !

Expand full comment

Yes, for a while I did but eventually it became too time consuming. Or maybe I became too lazy. 😂

Expand full comment

😂No! It does take more time :) ☕️

Expand full comment

We had a chemex when I was growing up (70s). My dad was a chemist, which is probably what made it appealing. We used it for awhile, but since my mom was the one who made coffee, we went back to automatic drip. Reading this makes me want to get one. Almost did a few months ago when I happened into a coffee shop that stocked them. We have a french press we use every so often, which always manages to produce a disappointing cup of coffee. Thanks for the flash back, Jolene

Expand full comment

I didn’t know your Dad was a Chemist, Domenica, that makes perfect sense about enjoying the Chemex. I’m not a coffee expert, but I gotta say, it makes a really great cup. Even if you just use it on weekends, it’s a treat. ☕️ Thanks for reading,! :)

Expand full comment

The mother of a boyfriend back in the early 70s showed me how to make the. best. coffee. in her Chemex. She also taught me how to bake a very fine loaf of bread.

Expand full comment

To be discussed on our next call 📞 Kate! :)

Expand full comment

Looking forward to that, Jolene. 😉

Expand full comment

Me too, Kate!

Expand full comment

I have had coffee from a Chemex but not for a long time. I do remember it as being wonderful. Does the coffee stay hot once brewed? ❤️

Expand full comment

Hi, Pam! For a little bit, but I read on the instructions that you can put it on the stovetop (gas or electric) on very low heat. I have to look again, the instructions are also within the link I attached in the newsletter ☕️

Expand full comment

🥰, Jolene! I'll check that out. Also--I loved the peek into your cupboard. ❤️

Expand full comment

😄

Expand full comment

Love your tea cupboard! I love tea too and have a massive collection. Like you, I’ve come to coffee later in life (and live in Finland where they drink the most coffee per capita in the world apparently). I take a morning brew then change to tea 🫖

Expand full comment

Thanks, Lisa! I just read you can use the Chemex to brew tea, too, so I gotta try that next. I read that about Finland, I know it’s Fika in Sweden, in Finland, too?

Expand full comment

Well that’s exciting! Because it’s a lovely looking thing. I live in a completely Swedish speaking area so Fika is a thing here. They just have coffee on the mainland, (I live on an archipelago). So not quite the same.

Expand full comment

I now have tons of questions about the Fika coffee and pastries! 😂

Expand full comment

Bring them on!! 😉

Expand full comment

I will! 😂 organizing them, with my new coffee obsession I want to do another post about Fika, I’m gonna email you (if that’s ok?)

Expand full comment

Absolutely! 😁

Expand full comment

I love that shot of your cabinet 💛

Expand full comment

Thanks. Sarah!

Expand full comment

The history is so interesting!

Expand full comment

Right?! Thanks, Leigh!

Expand full comment

Makes me want to drink coffee. Thanks Jolene!

Expand full comment

Me too, Anne! 😂

Expand full comment

Love this article! I’m obsessed with my coffee and now I want a Chemex. It’s gorgeous. Love the TV and movie clips, too.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Alison! It’s so pretty to have on the counter - they make a whole range, the one I have is the Classic 6 cup, came with a box of filters was around $50 there are 3 cup models, too, and then larger ones. They also have hand blown versions, but they are more pricey. We can start a Chemex club 😂

Expand full comment

I’m in! 😂❤️

Expand full comment

“For the highly caffeinated” 😂☕️

Expand full comment

Such a fascinating history of the Chemex, Jolene! The first one I ever saw was at the house of my forward-thinking Aunt Gerda. When everyone else was making percolator coffee, she was using a Chemex. It was the best coffee I’d ever tasted in those days. Now I use a Hario pour-over single serve and occasionally a little Bialetti stovetop espresso maker. Both make terrific coffee. Now ayou’re making me want a Chemex too! Ah, the perils of reading Jolene!

Expand full comment

Love hearing about your Aunt Gerda again, Ruth! I have a little Moka pot, too, I have to check out a Hario :) Chemex also has the cutest little 3-cup!

Expand full comment

I am obsessed...mostly with the vintage typography, and the word “beautility!”....sadly, 8 steps to make coffee is way out of my morning head space, but maybe someday....it really is beautiful. And Mary Tyler Moore!

Expand full comment

Isn’t “Beautility” perfect for it, Christene?! I should have mentioned the last 2 steps are ‘throw out the filter’ and ‘enjoy’ 🤣 but still…

Expand full comment

Interesting! I make make my one cup of coffee using a Melitta first thing each morning. I clicked on the link to read the helpful hints for a perfect pour-over. Thanks!

Expand full comment

Great, Vicki, I thought the hints were good, too. Now I’m thinking I need a one-cup Melitta! 😂☕️

Expand full comment

Love this issue 🫶 Thanks for the great story and inspiration!

I'm a real coffee addict, you know. I'm currently in my espresso shots era, fascinated by all these beautiful espresso machines, leverages, and tamping stations. But before that, I was all about drip coffee, and pour-overs, exploring different techniques of brewing, grinding, and tools like Moccamaster, Hario, AeroPress, or Chemex.

Ok, now I'm going to embrace the day with a warm hug in a mug, AKA my daily dose of coffee ☕️ Have an awesome day, Jolene! ✨

Expand full comment

Glad you enjoyed, Stygi, you are a true coffee lover! ☕️😄 Love ‘hug in a mug’ ! Have a wonderful weekend! 💫

Expand full comment

P.S. So fun to see what's inside your cupboard! Let me ask - is that a lemon with a leaf on the navy blue cup? (middle shelf, one before last, on the right)

Expand full comment

Yes! Well spotted! It’s a navy blue espresso cup, part of a set of four with lemons 🍋 on them. They were my Mom’s ❤️☺️

Expand full comment

Stygi, I don’t think my first comment replying linked to you, lol! (It’s mixed in with other comments) I love ‘hug in a mug!’ 🤗 ☕️

Expand full comment

I just tried this in Torino at the Lavazza museum!!

Expand full comment

I have a V 60 dripper which works in a very similar way, it is a lovely way to make a great cup of coffee.

Expand full comment