The Moka or Italian coffee maker is a stove top coffee maker made of aluminium or stainless-steel that brews an espresso type coffee by passing pressurised boiling water through the coffee grounds. While the Moka Pot is one of the most popular types of coffee maker, it doesn't allow much flexibility in its setup and tends to produce a strong and sometimes even bitter coffee.

The easiest way to make an espresso style coffee

Making your coffee with the Moka is quite easy, but due to the water temperature being so high and the brew time being so short, the process can extract some bitter compounds from the coffee. Some people love the strong bitter taste, but if you prefer lighter cups it's important to use a light to medium roast coffee and make sure you don't burn it. 

"I normally use the Moka after lunch, when I enjoy short strong coffees."

No wonder the Moka Pot is often called the Italian coffee maker. This method was invented by the Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and is still very popular today in Italy. While the Bialetti company still produces Moka pots, many other brands have developed different designs and sizes.

Moka Pot Pros & cons

	Good for strong coffee lovers Very compact device Generates no waste Authentic and artisanal look
	No control on the brewing ratio (1:7) Produces strong coffee Coffee can be burnt easily Doesn't allow light and sweet aromas to develop

4 simples steps for 2 coffee cups using a small Moka pot

	→ Step 1/4 Start by heating some water in a kettle, it will speed up the boiling process later on. Fill the basket with the ground coffee - about 15 grams or 1 serving - until it is even and level.
	→ Step 2/4 Fill the bottom section of the device with hot water - about 10ml - until just below the small valve. Be careful, the metal part will be very hot! Place the basket filled with coffee and assemble the top part of the brewer.
	→ Step 3/4 Put the pot on medium heat. It should take about 1 to 2 minutes for the water to boil. As soon as the pressure is high enough the steam will go through the ground coffee and start the brewing process. It shouldn't go too fast. Lower the heat if necessary.

	→ Step 4/4 When there is no water left in the bottom chamber, cool down the device with cold water to stop the brewing process.
	Serve the coffee immediately.

Recommend quantities

The brewing ratio can't really be modified, it's about 1:7