Fair question.
The answer is yes—they really do make coffee taste different.
In fact, the Chemex is our favorite way to brew a pour-over because it highlights flavors that many other brewing methods leave behind.
The Chemex was invented in 1941 by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, and more than 80 years later, there hasn't been much reason to improve on it.
Part laboratory glassware, part work of art, its elegant hourglass shape, wooden collar, and leather tie have earned the Chemex a permanent place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. More than eight decades later, it's still made almost exactly the same way.
Good design doesn't need many updates.
So What Is a Chemex?
If someone walks into Hansa and asks what brewer we'd recommend for making exceptional coffee at home, our answer is almost always the same:
A Chemex.
Why We Recommend the Chemex
There are plenty of wonderful ways to brew coffee—French press, AeroPress, V60, automatic drip machines—and each has something to offer.
When we want to taste everything a coffee has to say, though, we reach for the Chemex.
The reason is surprisingly simple: the filter.
Chemex filters are much thicker than standard paper filters, removing nearly all of the tiny coffee particles and much of the natural oil that would otherwise end up in your cup.
The result is remarkably clean coffee with exceptional clarity. Instead of flavors blending together, they're easier to distinguish—whether that's citrus, berries, honey, chocolate, or delicate floral notes.
One of our favorite comparisons is this:
A French press is like listening to an orchestra playing together.
A Chemex lets you hear each instrument individually.
Neither is better—they're simply different experiences.
That's why we especially enjoy using a Chemex when we're evaluating sample roasts or brewing coffees with delicate, nuanced flavors. If you've ever wondered why the exact same coffee can taste so different depending on how it's brewed, a Chemex is one of the easiest ways to experience it firsthand.
More Than a Brewing Method
One of the things we love about the Chemex is that it naturally encourages you to slow down for a few minutes.
Brewing with a Chemex is wonderfully straightforward. After rinsing the filter and adding medium-coarse coffee, you slowly pour hot water over the grounds, allowing the coffee to bloom before continuing with a series of gentle pours. Four or five minutes later, you have an exceptionally clean cup of coffee.
It's a simple process, but it's one that invites you to pay attention. Watching the coffee bloom, controlling the pour, and seeing the brewer gradually fill with fresh coffee becomes part of the experience.
For many people, that's part of the appeal.
Come Try One
If you've never had a Chemex before, we'd love to introduce you to it.
We brew Chemex pour-overs right here in the café, so you can taste firsthand how this brewing method brings out a coffee's clarity and character. Since every cup is brewed by hand, it takes a few extra minutes—but we think those minutes are part of what makes the experience special. If you're short on time, you can always order ahead on our app, and we'll have it ready when you arrive.
If you're thinking about making pour-over coffee at home, we'd also be happy to show you how we brew with a Chemex. Ask questions, watch the process, and then give it a try yourself. We love sharing what we've learned.
You might be surprised how different your favorite coffee can taste.
Your cool points are waiting.
