The Ultimate Brew Guide for V60 and Chemex: Perfecting Your Filter Coffee

At Moon Roast, we believe coffee is about more than just the caffeine—it’s an experience, a ritual, and a chance to savour the incredible flavours that great beans have to offer. If you love clean, vibrant coffee that highlights the unique qualities of each roast, filter brewing with a V60 or Chemex is an excellent choice.

Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just starting out, this guide will help you perfect your brew and bring out the very best in your cup.

Why Choose Filter Brewing?

Filter brewing, whether with a V60 or Chemex, offers several benefits that make it a go-to method for coffee lovers:

• Clarity of Flavour: The paper filters remove oils and fine particles, creating a clean, crisp brew that allows the delicate notes of specialty coffee to shine.
  
  
• Showcases Origin: Each coffee’s unique terroir and processing come to life—ideal for single-origin beans like our Ethiopia Beshasha or Colombia San Sebastian.
  
  
• Control and Customisation: From grind size to water temperature, every step can be tailored to your taste.
  
  
• Light and Refreshing: Filter coffee is less intense than espresso, making it perfect for those who enjoy lighter, more nuanced brews.
  
  
• Smoother Finish: The absence of oils and fine sediment results in a gentler cup that’s easier on digestion.

What You’ll Need

For V60:

• V60 dripper
• V60 paper filters
• Freshly ground coffee (medium-fine, like table salt)
• Filtered water
• Gooseneck kettle for precision pouring
• Kitchen scale
• Timer
• Mug or server

For Chemex:

• Chemex brewer
• Chemex paper filters
• Freshly ground coffee (medium-coarse, like sea salt)
• Filtered water
• Gooseneck kettle
• Kitchen scale
• Timer

Step-by-Step Guide for V60

1. Prepare Your Equipment

• Place the V60 dripper on your mug or server.
• Rinse the paper filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the dripper. Discard the rinse water.

2. Measure Your Coffee and Water

• Use a ratio of 15g of coffee to 250ml of water for one cup. Adjust to taste.
• Weigh your coffee and grind it to a medium-fine consistency.

3. Start the Brew

• Add your ground coffee to the filter, then give it a gentle shake to level the bed.
• Begin your timer and pour 30ml of hot water (92–96°C) in a circular motion, ensuring all the grounds are wet. This is the bloom phase, which releases trapped gases for better extraction. Let it sit for 30 seconds.

4. Pour in Stages

• Slowly pour the remaining water in a spiral motion, keeping the water level consistent. Aim to finish pouring by 2:30 minutes.
• Allow the coffee to drip through completely, which should take around 3 minutes in total.

5. Enjoy Your Coffee

• Remove the dripper, give your coffee a gentle swirl, and enjoy the clean, crisp flavours of your V60 brew.

Step-by-Step Guide for Chemex

1. Prepare Your Equipment

• Place the Chemex paper filter inside the brewer, ensuring the thicker side is against the spout.
• Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the brewer. Pour out the rinse water.

2. Measure Your Coffee and Water

• Use a ratio of 30g of coffee to 500ml of water for two cups. Adjust to suit your taste.
• Grind your coffee to a medium-coarse consistency.

3. Start the Brew

• Add your ground coffee to the filter and level the bed.
• Begin your timer and pour 60ml of hot water (92–96°C) in a circular motion. Allow it to bloom for 30 seconds.

4. Pour in Stages

• Slowly pour the remaining water in stages, maintaining an even spiral motion.
• Aim to finish pouring by 3:30–4:00 minutes. The total brew time should be around 4:30 minutes.

5. Serve and Savour

• Remove the filter, give your coffee a gentle swirl, and enjoy the smooth, balanced flavours of your Chemex brew.

Tips for Perfecting Your Brew

• Use Fresh Coffee: Specialty coffee shines in these methods. Try our Ethiopia Beshasha for its vibrant apricot and almond notes, or the rich caramel tones of Colombia San Sebastian.
• Invest in a Grinder: Grinding fresh beans just before brewing makes a world of difference. A consistent grind is essential for even extraction.
• Control the Water Temperature: Aim for 92–96°C (just off the boil). Too hot and you’ll extract bitterness; too cool and you’ll miss out on flavour.
• Experiment with Ratios: While 1:16 coffee-to-water is a good starting point, adjust it to suit your taste. A slightly stronger or lighter brew may work better for you.
• Take Notes: Keep track of what you like. The coffee’s origin, roast profile, and grind size can all affect the final cup.

Why Choose V60 or Chemex?

Both methods are designed to highlight the intricate flavours of specialty coffee, but they each bring something unique:

• V60: Compact, simple, and ideal for single cups. Produces a clean, bright coffee.
• Chemex: Perfect for sharing. Its thicker filters create an even smoother, more delicate brew.

Ready to Brew Like a Pro?

Discover freshly roasted coffees perfect for your V60 or Chemex in our online shop. Whether you’re exploring new origins or sticking with your favourites, Moon Roast coffees are crafted to shine with precision brewing.

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Brewing coffee is part art, part science—but with a V60 or Chemex, every cup is an opportunity to savour something extraordinary. Happy brewing!