I did a family trip to Italy in Dec 2022. One of the things that the wife and I really enjoy is the espresso over there. I have had espresso before but the ones in Italy opened my eyes and my tastebuds. Italians really make a very good espresso.
When I got back home, I decided to get a Bialetti Moka Express. This is the original coffee maker made in Italy. According to their official website, its unique shape dates back to 1933.
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| It has a unique shape that has not change much since it was created in 1933. |
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| There are 3 parts to the Moka pot. From left, the water chamber, the filter and the coffee pot. |
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| Water is filled up to the pressure valve. Hot water preferred as the duration of the coffee preparation is shorter. |
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| Ground coffee is place in the filter. The coffee cannot be too fine as it will enter the holes of the filter. |
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| Place on the stove with a slow heat, which I prefer. Once it is ready, coffee will start coming out from the spout. |
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| With a low heat, coffee will slowly pour out from the spout. |
There are several things I learned from making coffee on the Moka pot
- the coffee beans, and how fresh it is makes a taste difference.
- the grinding of the beans cannot be too fine as it will clog the filter. A suitable grinder is very important.
- the Moka Pot cannot be washed with dishwashing detergent, just water. When the coffee is made, there will be coffee oil generated. The coffee oil protects the Moka pot, ensure its lasting usage and flavour. Using dishwashing detergent will remove this oil. That is why, you will see household Moka pot heavily stained. It is done on purpose.
- the minute it starts gurgling out, it has to be removed from the stove to prevent the coffee from having a 'burnt' taste.
- the heat for the Moka pot cannot be too strong as the coffee will have a burnt smell. The coffee will also spurt out from the spout
- the minute the gurgling is heard and coffee starts coming out from the spout, remove the Moka Pot and serve. That is the best coffee.
Do note that the Moka pot does not produce espresso-type coffee due to the pressure difference. The moka pot does not produce the crema. That is only obtained from an espresso machine where it will push the water at 6-8 bar pressure. The moka pot only pushes the water at 2 bar pressure. But even then, the taste is really wonderful.
I do not have space for an espresso machine in my kitchen. But for the moment, the Bialetti Moka pot is a very good replacement. I really enjoy the coffee it produced.
Belissimo!
