How to Use a Moka Pot

What coffee brewing method is the best one for using at home? Many coffee lovers ask themselves this question. There are many options available: the AeroPress, cezve, French press, espresso machine, and others. But there’s also a Moka pot. Some use it quite often, but for a long time, it didn’t work for me. A friend of mine, who moved to Italy 5 years ago, helped out. He told me how to use a Moka pot correctly. It turns out that the method is not so difficult.

This way of brewing coffee was invented in the first half of the 19th century. It’s quite interesting that an Englishman invented it. And exactly 100 years later, an Italian patented this invention. Moka pot gained real popularity after World War II. Since then, the device has been used all over the world.

The main advantages of making coffee in a Moka pot are speed and easy maintenance. This is perfect for those who like to brew coffee at home, but don’t want to constantly wash the coffee maker and change parts. Simply rinse the Moka pot after use.

A Moka pot is something between a French press and a cezve. It consists of a water tank, a small filter basket, and an upper part which collects the brewed coffee. The water in the tank heats up and rises under steam pressure. Then the water mixes with the coffee and gets into the upper part.

How to Use a Moka Pot

You will need:

• coffee
• coffee grinder
• water
• a Moka pot

Instructions:

1. Boil the water in the kettle. This way you significantly reduce the coffee making time. Also, the drink can acquire a metallic taste if cold water is poured into the Moka pot. Pour the boiling water into the water tank. It should reach the safety valve. Be sure to use kitchen mittens, as the water tank heats up quickly.
2. Grind the coffee. It all depends on your taste. Try experiment with grinding. For starters, I recommend choosing a medium grind.
3. Pour coffee carefully into the filter basket and place it on the water tank. Screw the upper part to the rest of the parts, close the lid.
4. Place your Moka pot on heat. The water inside will heat up and the pressure will increase. This will push the liquid out, pass through the filter and the brewed coffee will end up in the upper part.
5. Open the lid of the pot. When you see that the coffee is thin and light, remove the coffee maker from the heat. I recommend placing the water tank under cold water to stop the brewing process.
6. Pour the coffee into cups.

Tips for Making Coffee in a Moka Pot

Choose good water. The same type of coffee with the same grind can taste very different. Much depends on water, as it is the base of the drink. Use good water to make the best drink.

Italians make coffee in a Moka pot using low heat. This way the boiling process is gentle. The water will rise more slowly, and the coffee will be richer.

Many people are afraid that after making coffee, a little water remains in the water tank. It depends on the temperature. I advise you to brew the coffee over low heat. You shouldn’t focus on the water but more on the color of the brewed coffee.

Now you know how to use a Moka pot. As you can see, there is nothing tricky about the method. It took me two or three times to master the technique. Now I’m experimenting with grinds and types of coffee.

Lisa

Like many people nowadays, I love to explore new places. My favorite type is slow travelling, when you can really blend in with locals and learn about new cultures and languages. But I think there are also perfect times for enjoying freshly baked pastry, a cup of fragrant coffee, and a good movie in the comfort of your own home. I guess I'm kind of a cultural omnivore, and I watch different types of movies, but the ones about art and food inspire me the most!