Moka Pot

INTRODUCTION: A Moka Pot (sometimes called a stovetop espresso maker) can be an excellent way to prepare coffee (though it actually does not, in fact, make espresso). Keys to good coffee using a Moka Pot are: using high quality, fresh coffee; pre-heating the water; removing the pot from the heat at the right moment; proper grind of coffee; and using clean equipment. You’ll need a Moka Pot, an electric kettle or other device to boil water in, coffee, a good quality burr grinder, a heat source (electric or gas stove), hot pads, a bar towel and cups (and possibly a thermal carafe).

 

 

  1. Preheat the water. Bring kettle water to a boil and remove from heat.

     

    BARISTA TIP: We do this to keep the temperature of the moka pot from getting too hot and cooking the coffee, imparting a metallic taste.

  2. Grind your coffee on a drip coffee setting, about as fine as table salt. You need enough coffee to fill the filter basket, which is about 15 to 17 grams for a 4-cup Bialetti moka pot.
  3. Add the heated water and fill to the line in the bottom of the brewer.
  4. Insert the filter basket into the brewer bottom.
  5. Fill the basket with coffee, slightly mounded, and level the surface off with your finger. Brush away loose grounds on the top edge of the filter basket.
  6. Screw the top and bottom together. Use hot pads and don’t over tighten.
  7. Put the brewer on the stove, use moderate heat and make sure that the handle is not subjected to heat. Leave the top lid open.
  8. The coffee will begin to come out and you will hear a puffing sound and see a rich-brown stream that will get progressively lighter in color. Once the stream is the color of yellow honey, remove from heat source with hot pads and close the lid.
  9. Wrap the bottom of the pot in a chilled bar towel or run under cold tap water to stop extraction.

     

    BARISTA TIP: We do this to prevent the coffee from developing a metallic taste. The idea here is to get a relatively small amount of coffee which is very concentrated and rich.

  10. As soon as the coffee stops bubbling out, pour it into cups or a carafe. You may wish to dilute with hot water depending on preference.