Have you ever wondered whether tea could be made in a coffee maker? Can you make tea pour over style? Can you make tea in a Chemex?
The short answer is that yes you can make tea in a Chemex. The method for making tea however has to be adapted for the Chemex.
In the following sections we will explore how to make tea in a Chemex and how it is different from traditional tea.
How To Make Tea In A Chemex
There are a few things you need to consider before making tea in a Chemex. First you have to look at the steeping time. A Chemex is a special pour over method for coffee. What this means in terms of tea is that the tea will not steep as long in the water.
The water will pass through quite quickly. If you are using a tea that steeps quickly or if you prefer your tea to be milder than you get with the normal steeping time than brewing your tea with a Chemex might work.
If you want to try Tea made in a Chemex follow these easy steps.
Choose a filter
The key to choosing a filter is to pick one that is made for a Chemex. The Chemex has a unique shape and not all filters work in it.
One way to make the tea stronger is to double or triple the filters. This will slow the steeping time as the water will take longer to get through.
You can also use more than one filter type. For instance, you can start with a metal filter and add a cloth or paper one on top. The advantage here is that the metal filter makes removing the paper or cloth filter easier.
Place the filter in the Chemex and Measure out the tea into the Chemex.
One way to make stronger tea is to use more tea leaves. This may seem wasteful at first but remember, you can reuse the tea leaves later in another pot of tea or in another way (such as in compost or bathtub infusions).
Another way to make the tea stronger is to grind or chop the tea leaves before adding them. This makes it easier for the water to absorb the tea flavors.
Pour hot, nearly boiling water over the tea.
It is important to do this slowly as doing so too quickly will move the water through the tea faster. This will create a weaker tea.
Let the water filter down, Remove the filter and tea, then Pour a cup of tea and enjoy.
Lastly simply wait for the water to filter down then pour yourself a cup and enjoy!
Whether You Should Or Should Not Make Tea In A Chemex?
This is a personal decision. As mentioned above if you enjoy light, mild tea then you will like Chemex Brewed tea. However if you prefer stronger, bolder tea then the Chemex is probably not the brewing method for you.
Another thing to consider, if you own a Chemex it might be worth a try. However, if you do not already have a Chemex it isn’t worth it to buy the Chemex just for tea. On the other hand, if you are buying the Chemex for coffee, you can also try it with tea.
What Kind Of Tea To Make
Typically, with a Chemex you would use loose leaf tea. However, you can use tea bags if you want.
With loose leaf tea, you can measure out the amount you want and adjust with Spoonfuls. With tea bags you can only adjust by adding or removing tea bags.
However, if your goal is to make a stronger tea the tea bags plus a filter will help keep the water in the Chemex. Make sure to layer tea bags. One at the bottom with more on top. Layer them so the water is pouring through multiple layers of tea.
If you decided to use loose leaf tea, you can use the tea as is, the way you would using a strainer in a cup. You can also chop or grind the tea to make it steep quicker and stronger.
Green tea and herbal teas are often recommended for Chemex brewed tea since they taste good both in full brewed strength, mild brew strength, and even in extra strong brew strength.
How Is Tea Different When Brewed In A Chemex
Tea made in a Chemex does not steep as long. This keeps the flavor light and mellow. This is great if you prefer a light or mellow flavor. However, some teas just won’t taste right made this way.
If you do not use enough tea, then the flavor may be so mild that it tastes like water more than tea. If you pour the water and it goes through too quickly, you will have the same effect.
You can help aid this problem by adding extra filters, which will slow the steeping process. You can also try grinding the tea ahead of time to help the water and tea leaves steep quicker. This process works similar to crushing herbs into a drink and letting them steep.
Another alternative is to steep the tea twice. You can do this by following these directions.
- Remove the tea leaves and filter carefully.
- Pour out the tea into a container that pours.
- Replace the filter with the tea leaves (or place a new filter with new leaves).
- Pour the tea back through the leaves and filter for a second steeping.
How To Clean Chemex Between Uses
There are a few ways to clean a Chemex. The design of the Chemex is great for making brewed drinks using the pour over method. The design is not so great when it comes to cleaning.
The first method of cleaning for the Chemex is in the dishwasher. This method is not fool proof as the dish water and soap do not always get inside well.
The second and third methods of cleaning a Chemex are done by hand. The second method involves using warm water and dish soap. Mix them together and pour them into the Chemex. Swirl it around in the base.
You can’t really get a sponge or anything in there. You might be able to find a brush like utensil to scrub. Don’t forget to scrub around the top and outside as well.
The third method of cleaning a Chemex involves using vinegar and warm water. This deep cleaning method should be used at least twice a year to keep coffee scum from building up.
Pour equal parts vinegar and water in until it fills the carafe base. Then swirl it around like you do in the soap and water method. For this method, you will also want a long handle scrubbing brush of some kind to scrub the insides of the base.
Conclusion
With this information I hope you make the best decision for yourself. Enjoy Chemex brewed tea or continue brewing tea the traditional way. Don’t be afraid to try out different methods and see what works and what doesn’t work for you.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.