Maryam
Tabatabaei
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6565
Academy Course

Brewing Skills — Intermediate

Step up to the Chemex: thicker filters, longer steeps, and the elegance of the most beautiful brewing device ever designed.

Intermediate
Next cohort: 18 April 2026 · 5 of 8 seats
Format
In person · Online
Duration
1 Day
Level
Intermediate
Next Cohort
TBA

What You'll Learn

Eight core competencies to master in this course.
1
Master the Chemex: its design, history, and why it matters.
2
Understand the impact of filter thickness on extraction and flavor.
3
Control variables precisely: water temperature, grind, turbulence, timing.
4
Brew Chemex like a professional: rhythm, control, repeatability.
5
Compare brewing methods: V60 vs. Chemex vs. manual siphon.
6
Taste the difference: how the device shapes the cup.
7
Develop your service style: Chemex as theatre, Chemex as craft.
8
Leave knowing when to recommend Chemex to different customers or situations.

Course Syllabus

Day-by-day breakdown of topics, timings, and deliverables.
1
Chemex Mastery

Beauty & Precision

09:00
Chemex Story & Design

Why it looks that way. Why it matters. The physics of the hourglass.

09:30
Filter Comparison

Chemex filters are much thicker. How does that change extraction?

10:00
Your First Chemex

A guided brew. Notice the slower, more deliberate pace.

Hands-on
10:45
Cupping & Feedback

Cleaner cup than V60? Clarity? Sweetness?

11:15
Technique: Bloom & Pour

Chemex asks for patience. The bloom is longer.

11:45
Lunch
12:45
Comparison Tasting

Same coffee, V60 vs. Chemex. Side by side. Taste the difference.

13:30
Advanced Chemex

Temperature control, pour timing, maintaining flow. Precision.

Hands-on
14:30
Service & Presentation

The Chemex as a focal point. How to brew it in front of customers.

15:30
Farewell & Resources

Who It's For

  • Brewers who've mastered V60 and want the next challenge.
  • Café staff running pour-over menus who need to explain Chemex.
  • Home brewers who own a Chemex and want to unlock its potential.
  • Anyone fascinated by the aesthetics and craft of specialty brewing.

Prerequisites

  • Brewing Skills Foundation (V60) completed, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • Comfort with technical brewing variables.
  • Access to a Chemex or willingness to learn on ours during the course.
The Instructor
Maryam Tabatabaei
Authorized SCA Premier Trainer · Q-Arabica Grader

Taught by Maryam.

Maryam is an Authorized SCA Premier Trainer and a Q-Arabica Grader certified under the SCA Q Coffee System (formerly the Coffee Quality Institute) — one of the few practitioners in the United Arab Emirates who holds both credentials at once.

She placed fourth at the HB Best Batch Roasting Championship (Feb 2026), judged the UAE National Roasting Championship (Jan 2026), and presented at Gulfood 2026’s Specialty Coffee Stage. Cohorts in her studio are kept to six learners — closer to a master class than a campus.

“I will not teach you what to think about coffee. I will teach you how to taste it for yourself.”

SCA Authorized Trainer Q-Arabica Grader · SCA UAE Roasting Championship Judge 4th · HB Best Batch Roasting Gulfood 2026 · Specialty Stage

Frequently Asked

Is Chemex better than V60?
Different, not better. Chemex gives a cleaner, more delicate cup. V60 is faster and more forgiving. Context matters.
Can I use regular filters in a Chemex?
Not recommended. Chemex filters are specifically designed for the shape and purpose.
Next Step

The most beautiful brewer ever made. Master its craft.

5 seats available in the next cohort.