How to use a Chemex Coffee Pot
What is a Chemex Maker? Well it’s a fancy kind of Auto Drip Brewer, uh, well… without the Auto. In other words, you get to provide the “Auto” function.
The Chemex brewer's classic hourglass design is actually an American original and has been honored by the Museum of Modern Art. Its shape creates a built in filter basket but tends to make cleaning a bit tricky.
This is one of our favorite ways to make coffee. Skip (Lakota’s owner) brews with Chemex at his home and loves it. Why? Because it gets him fully engaged in the process of brewing, and it makes great tasting coffee. So if you’re all about the hands-on approach then you can have some fun with this method and end up with an amazing cup of coffee too!
For the best darned, rock solid tutorial we've ever seen on brewing coffee the Chemex way, just click here: Chemex Tutorial
This outstanding "How to" article comes from an amazing non-commercial site, appropriately named "I Need Coffee!"
How to Make Iced Coffee Using a Toddy Maker
What is a Toddy Maker? Why “cold brew”?
The ancient process of cold coffee brewing was perfected in 1964 with the Toddy Cold Brew System. A chemical engineer graduate of Cornell University named Todd Simpson developed and patented the cold brew system.
His inspiration for the creation was his mother’s weak stomach! Apparently she could not handle coffee’s natural acidity, a problem completely remedied by drinking coffee from a Toddy Coffee brewing system.
You can use your favorite coffee to produce a coffee concentrate that is much stronger than hot brewed coffee, yet 67% less acidic. It produces a bold, super-smooth brew that can be refrigerated for up to 14 days with no loss of quality.
You just pour a shot of concentrate into your cup; add hot water, and Voila! Your favorite cup of hot Joe-minus the acidity.
There are several advantages to this coffee brewing system:
* The obvious one is lower acidity for those of us who have sensitive stomachs or problems with acid reflux.
* It’s great for households where guests or house members awaken at different times throughout the morning. (Or day - for you night owls.)
* The Toddy concentrate makes excellent iced coffee. . No need to chill hot brewed coffee, just pour a shot of concentrate over ice and add water! Or for a really luscious treat, add milk or a splash of cream instead!
Here at Lakota, a summer-time house favorite is our outstanding cold brewed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe - over ice. Delicious!
For a fantastic Toddy Coffee brewing tutorial just click: Toddy Maker Tutorial
How to Make Coffee Using a French Press
Many experts feel that the "French Press" method of coffee brewing is the best way to experience "The Perfect Cup". It produces a thick, rich cup, full of the aromatic oils that give coffee its flavor. Also the classic French Press is quite a romantic fixture. It evokes visions of intimate conversation at quaint outdoor cafes on tucked away; lamp lit streets wherever your imagination may take you.
There is surely no more elegant way to serve coffee, whether it is served on a breakfast tray with fresh, warm croissants or scones, or by fireside after a splendid dinner. What tickles me about this "stylish" brewing method is how similar it really is to what we call "Cowboy Coffee". (As you will see...) Indeed, you will find the Press Pot to be a handy coffee companion for camping out. (I always take mine!)
This method of coffee brewing requires that the grounds be stirred directly into the hot water and there is no paper filter, thus the thick, earthy body. (Too much body for some!)
Coffee Brewing with a French Press
Since a Press Pot doesn't actually contact a heat source, it is a good idea to preheat the plunger and pot with warm water.
Coffee Brewing: For each cup, measure two level tablespoons of medium to coarse ground coffee into the the glass pot.
Note: Ideally, your coffee should be ground on number 12, which is right next to the most coarse grind you can get at your local roaster. Any finer than medium tends to over extract and cause difficulties with pressing the plunger down. Lastly, too finely ground coffee will also end up in your cup... not good to the last drop!
Grinding at home? Check out "How to Grind Coffee Properly"...
Your water should be "fresh off the boil" so go ahead and bring it to a boil. Then set it aside for 30 seconds or so and it should be near perfect. Then pour your water directly into the grounds while stirring with a long handled wooden spoon. (Prevents breakage) Stirring makes certain that the grounds are saturated and properly extracted.
Now set the plunger top in place. Press the plunger down just far enough to eliminate any air. Cover the whole unit with a towel and let the grounds steep. After 4-5 minutes press the plunger down firmly but slowly.
Pour and enjoy!
For even more information on French Press coffee brewing the tutorial the tutorial at "I Need Coffee.com": Press Pot Tutorial
