There are a lot of ways to brew coffee. When thinking about how to make Italian coffee, you should invest in a traditional Moka Pot for and authentic taste.
When thinking about how to make Italian coffee, there are a lot of ways to brew it. And the first type of coffee that comes to mind is probably espresso, but that’s not the only way Italians like their coffee. Many prefer Moka coffee.
Moka coffee is made using a special coffee pot instead of an espresso machine. It makes extremely hot coffee. The big advantage over espresso is that you can make coffee for a large group of people at the same time.
Curious about how to make this popular variety of Italian coffee? Here’s everything you need to know about making Moka pot coffee.
What Is a Moka Pot?
A Moka pot is a large metal vessel that resembles a pitcher. It’s made up of a few parts, including:
- A lower chamber for hot water
- An upper chamber to collect the coffee
- A filter that contains coffee grounds
- A lid
Using a Moka pot is easy, and it takes more patience than anything else. They’re portable, which is a huge advantage over espresso machines. You can take an aluminum Moka pot camping or on a backpacking trip and have great coffee every morning.
Looking for a good Moka pot? Here are a few great products to consider:
1. Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker
Bialetti has been making Moka pots since 1933. They’re made in Italy and deliver the style and quality the Moka pot is known for.
It’s made of high-quality aluminum and has an ergonomic handle that’s comfortable and easy to use to deliver a perfect pour. This pot is suitable for all stovetops except induction and features a safety valve for safety.
Moka Express: Iconic Stovetop Espresso Maker, Makes Real Italian Coffee, Moka Pot 3 Cups (4.4 Oz - 130 Ml) , Aluminium, Silver
2. GEESTA Premium Crystal Glass-Top Stovetop Espresso Moka Pot
One of the great things about this GEESTA Moka pot is that the top is made of glass, making it easier to monitor the progress of your brew. The heat-resistant handle is easy to hold and pour safely, and the aluminum bottom is rust-proof and heats quickly.
It’s a good choice if you’re planning to use your Moka pot for entertaining or if you have multiple coffee drinkers at home since it has a nine-cup capacity.
- Moka Pot
- Premium Crystal Glass-Top Stovetop Espresso Moka Pot
- 6 cup
3. GROSCHE Milano Steel Moka Pot
Another great Moka pot is this one from GROSCHE. It’s designed to work on any stovetop, including glass induction, gas, or electric. You can use it on camping stoves, too.
The heat-resistant handle is strong and durable, and the safety valve keeps the pressure from building too high. This pot also features a stainless steel lower chamber that’s thick, durable, and made to last.
It’s available in six or 10-cup sizes.
- Moka Pot
- 4 / 6/ 9 Cups Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
What Does Moka Coffee Taste Like?
Like espresso, Moka coffee is very strong. Dark roasts deliver the best flavor, and they take cream and sugar well without changing the overall coffee flavor too much.
Moka is a harsh method of brewing coffee, and lighter roasts don’t retain their flavor quite as well. They may even burn.
Coffee connoisseurs may notice that Moka coffee is not quite up to the same level of quality as espresso, but for someone who is looking for a nice cup of coffee to start the day, Moka is a robust and tasty choice that’s thicker than a regular brew and has a nice espresso-like crema.
How to Make Italian Coffee in a Moka Pot
Using a Moka pot is easy after you learn the process. The first thing you have to do is fill the bottom chamber with water.
One of the keys to making Moka coffee is that the water gets really, really hot. You can start with cold water, but you can save a little time if you use warm or hot water instead. Fill until the water reaches the valve.
Choosing the right grind size is essential to making good Moka coffee. While espresso uses finely ground coffee to accommodate for the high pressure of the water in an espresso machine, Moka coffee needs a bigger grind.
The pressure in a Moka pot is not nearly as high as in an espresso machine, and the larger grounds let the water pass through more easily.
After you fill the bottom chamber with water, add coffee grounds to the filter until it’s level. Put the pot on the stove on low, constant heat.
The Moka pot needs time to brew and boiling too hot, too fast rushes the process which leads to poor extraction.
When the water in the chamber boils, pressure builds and pushes the water through the filter, which steeps the coffee. Do not press the grounds because this makes it too difficult for the water to pass through.
Slowly, it fills the upper chamber until it eventually makes its way to the spigot.
You must pay close attention when making Moka coffee because if it heats up for too long, the coffee will start to come out of the spout, leaving you with quite a mess on your hands.
Pay attention to the sound of boiling in the pot and remove the pot when it gets too vigorous. Figuring out the timing of this is the most difficult thing about making Moka coffee, and it’s something that only comes with practice.
A Delicious Alternative to Espresso
Moka coffee is deeper and richer than drip coffee and much easier to make than espresso. Just make sure you use the right grind and pay close attention during the brewing process.
You can treat Moka coffee as you would espresso, adding warm milk to make a cappuccino or latte, or treat it like drip coffee and stir in your preferred mix of cream and sugar.
We also have to point out that this is such a great option to take camping. There are plenty of small Moka pots available that are easy to travel with, and Moka coffee is far, far superior to instant coffee.
Use your camping stove to make a delicious cup of coffee that’s far superior to instant.
Featured Image Source: Rawpixel
