The Chemex coffee-maker -road tested
Charmed & Dangerous
Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
"Breakfast was Bond's favourite meal of the day. When he was stationed in London it was always the same. It consisted of very strong coffee, from De Bry in New Oxford Street, brewed in an American Chemex, of which he drank two large cups, black and without sugar." - Ian Fleming, From Russia, With Love (1957)
I'd always assumed that a Chemex coffee-maker was a device of the 1950s, long-since confined to the history books. However purely by chance, while I was trawling through Amazon a couple of months back, I spotted one - and they're still very much the same as they were during the events of FRWL.
Mrs C&D kindly bought me one for Christmas and we had our first run this morning. I'm drinking coffee made in it as I write.
As you can see it's essentially a large glass flask with a wooden collar at the neck, shaped like an hourglass (what else would expect from Bond?
). A Triple-layered Chemex filter fits into the neck, into which you pour a tablespoon of coffee per cup (though I'd go stronger), followed by a splash of water, which lets the coffee 'bloom' for a few seconds before you pour the appropriate amount of boiling water. And that's it. The brewing is a very slow process - it takes about 10 minutes as the water filters through the coffee. I used Turkish coffee which I bought on holiday there a while back, just to complement the Bond coffee experience.
While it takes ages to brew, the coffee tastes fantastic and very smooth, and I'd recommend the Chemex to our Bond fraternity for a true taste of the Bond lifestyle. -{
I'd always assumed that a Chemex coffee-maker was a device of the 1950s, long-since confined to the history books. However purely by chance, while I was trawling through Amazon a couple of months back, I spotted one - and they're still very much the same as they were during the events of FRWL.
Mrs C&D kindly bought me one for Christmas and we had our first run this morning. I'm drinking coffee made in it as I write.
As you can see it's essentially a large glass flask with a wooden collar at the neck, shaped like an hourglass (what else would expect from Bond?
). A Triple-layered Chemex filter fits into the neck, into which you pour a tablespoon of coffee per cup (though I'd go stronger), followed by a splash of water, which lets the coffee 'bloom' for a few seconds before you pour the appropriate amount of boiling water. And that's it. The brewing is a very slow process - it takes about 10 minutes as the water filters through the coffee. I used Turkish coffee which I bought on holiday there a while back, just to complement the Bond coffee experience.While it takes ages to brew, the coffee tastes fantastic and very smooth, and I'd recommend the Chemex to our Bond fraternity for a true taste of the Bond lifestyle. -{
"How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
Comments
long gone early electric percolator type of device.
Lol no, sadly nor, and we've run out of Tiptree Little Scarlet too
So far so good, like cleaning a glass cafetiere but easier, as you just throw away the filter with coffee grounds, and hand wash the glass. -{
What size did you get? Is it the 6-cup?
Sorry to answer first - in Poland it's around 35 pounds, I have no idea if thata's pricey or not for a coffee maker but I like the idea. Maybe I will even get one.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/chemex-8-cup-coffee-maker/s682279
Each coffee brewing method requires appropriate grind fineness, so it may have something to do with it.
I do, every morning!
to release more flavour.
Might well give one a go - I like the idea of good coffee (and of course to start the day Bond style is always good.....)
Having used this I can't imagine ever brewing coffee another way. Nespresso? Nospresso for me........
And Mrs Dufus likes the design too - bonus!
My Mrs bought me a pricey Delonghi machine a few years back that I have used about twice as its setup time etc is too much of a pain for a impatient guy like me! She whinges about me not using it as it cost her an arm and a leg -{
Do it!
I've been converted to black coffee since using this - no more crappafrappalattemochacino for me! (And as a bonus, coffee is good for you - as with all things if it's done in moderation - good for the liver and apparently helps with neuroplasticity of the brain, also can be used for endurance sports. So tell the 'ooh, I don't drink coffee brigade to b****r off. A mug of filtered black coffee is around 2kcals - it's the milk (and heaven forbid syrups,
Enjoy.
Well for the price I will swing for one
If you need a cappuccino/late' I just microwave the milk in cup, make espresso strength in the Chemex, and froth the milk with a little whisk. Voila!