stainless steel moka pot espresso coffee maker bialetti stovetop

BACKGROUND

A staple of Italian culture and invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, the moka pot is a stove-top or electric coffee maker that brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. It’s become popular in recent years due to its ability to produce a dense espresso with no electricity or expensive equipment.

STEP 1

Grind about 20-22 grams of coffee, about as finely as you would for a shot of espresso.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Coffee
Moka Pot
Grinder
Kettle
Scale
Timer

STEP 2

Boil water, and fill the bottom half of your Moka pot with water that’s fresh off the boil.

STEP 3

Fill the pot’s filter basket with the ground coffee, and give it a shake to settle the grounds evenly. Now place it into the bottom compartment.

STEP 4

Screw on the Moka pot’s spouted top. Caution! The bottom chamber will be hot.

STEP 5

Place the pot on a stove set to medium heat.

STEP 6

When the water in the bottom chamber approaches a boil, the pressure will push a stream of coffee slowly through the upper chamber. If it explodes upward, your water is too hot, if it burbles slowly, turn up your flame. You know it’s done when you hear a hissing, bubbling sound.