The Moka pot vs Cafetierebattle has only gotten more interesting as our taste in coffee has become more refined. Powdered coffee just doesn’t make the cut anymore and more people are turning to Moka pots and Cafetieres as their number one source of coffee.
But what’s the difference between a Moka pot and a Cafetiere? Let’s settle the Moka pot vs Cafetiere debate once and for all!
Your Introduction To The Moka Pot vs Cafetiere
The humble Moka pot was invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. If that last name is familiar, it’s because Bialetti is still the number one name in Moka pots nearly 100 years later.
Despite its French name, this coffee pot was also invented by an Italian in 1929. Let’s take a look at the basics of each of these bean-brewing kitchen tools.
The design of a Moka pot is the genius of simplicity.
There are three chambers inside a Moka pot. The bottom chamber holds water, the middle chamber holds the coffee grounds, and the top chamber is where the delicious brew rises. Moka pots are often referred to as stovetop espresso makers because they produce a similarly rich and creamy coffee.
The Cafetiere is a coffee pot of 1,000 names. It is known in the US as the French Press, in Australia under the not-so-attractive name “Coffee Plunger,” and in Germany as the “Stempelkanne.”
The Cafetiere makes coffee with a much bolder flavor. Unlike the Moka pot, which brews by using pressure, the Cafetiere steeps its brew. This also means you can use a Cafetiere to make other things like tea.
Now, let’s start this caffeinated head-to-head brewing contest!
How Are They Different?
The major difference between the Moka pot vs Cafetiere is the style of brew you achieve by using these different tools. The Moka pot gives you a strong coffee with a sharp flavor very similar to a nice espresso. The Cafetiere gives you a rich, full flavor that can have some sediment in the coffee.
How Are They Similar?
The good news is that no matter which one you go with, you’ll be able to have a delicious cup of coffee ready in just a few minutes. Both the Cafetiere and the Moka pot are able to brew coffee in around 5 minutes.
Each of these coffee brewing tools is also fully capable of creating a delicious cup of coffee worthy of the best baristas in town.
What’s Better About The Moka Pot?
The Moka pot has a few advantages that put it slightly above the Cafetiere.
The first of these advantages is that the Moka pot unlocks a wide range of coffee beverages. Because it brews something very similar to a shot of espresso, you’ll be able to craft a wider range of lattes, americanos, and other beverages. The Cafetiere is much more limited in the range of beverages that it can produce.
The Moka pot does require a bit of skill, especially when mastering the timing, but once you get that down, you’ll be able to have an Incredibly creamy espresso-like coffee.
What’s Better About Cafetiere?
The strength of the cafetiere comes down to its simplicity.
This way of brewing coffee only requires you to put hot water into the pot and wait 5 minutes. You don’t have to use a heat source underneath the Cafetiere that you need to manage.
This is one major advantage that the Cafetiere has over the Moka pot. The Moka pot requires either an open flame or another heat source to brew coffee. This means that beginners will often burn their Moka pot and ruin their coffee until they learn the proper timing.
The Cafetiere doesn’t require any active heat source which means that you can set it and forget it. The Cafetiere also requires a little less setup which makes it my personal favorite for that quick morning pot of coffee before I head off to work.
Who Should Get A Moka Pot (And Why)?
The Moka pot is ideal for someone who’s looking to explore the horizon of coffee brewing.
We’ve entered into something of a renaissance for coffee. There are more coffee-based beverages out there today than there have ever been. If you are looking to try your hand at becoming an at-home barista, the Moka pot will open that door for you.
Who Should Get A Cafetiere (And Why)?
Whether you call it a Cafetiere, French press, or a Stempelkanne, this coffee press is the workhorse of a delicious bean brew. If you’re looking for a full-bodied cup with a consistent flavor that will free you from your reliance on that coffee drip machine, the Cafetiere is an easy and quick way to step up your coffee game.
