Chemex troubles

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The good news is, I’ve been where you are and the fix is simple. You can definitely make better coffee.

Basically, as you probably know, there are two types of grinders: blade and burr. A blade grinder is not really meant for coffee - it’s a spice grinder. They’ve been marketed for coffee because they’re inexpensive and it’s better than purchasing pre-ground coffee. The problem with a blade grinder is that you end up with a lot of finely-ground coffee and chunkier pieces. In order to make good coffee, the grounds need to be all the same size (or as close as possible). The way a burr grinder works is by adjusting the distance between the two burrs, the coffee is crushed and only passes through when it is a uniform size. This creates optimal, even extraction when you pour water over the bed of grounds - which is critical in making coffee. Because you have a lot of powdery coffee from your blade grinder, this is causing the bitterness in your cup. You can find entry level burr grinders from Baratza or even at your local discount store.

Chemex is a good way to make coffee. But you’ll get a better result if you use a gooseneck kettle. It just allows you to pour precisely and slowly when making the coffee.I use this one at home: Stagg EKG

But if you want a stovetop version, I recommend this Hario kettle.

There’s a lot more to the technique of it all, but just by changing your grinder, I promise you’ll have better coffee instantly. 

And if you’re looking for a delicious coffee, these naturals are always my favorite.