Moka pots are great to have in the kitchen. They are a unique and fun way to brew strong coffee without breaking the bank on an espresso machine.
If you are curious about how Moka pots work or even what one is, read on for more details. Here, we dive into a Moka pot, its use, and why you should have one in your kitchen.
What Is a Moka Pot?
The Moka pot is a stove-top or electric coffee maker that brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti invented Moka pots in 1933, and named them after the Yemen city of Mocha.
The Moka pot quickly became an Italian staple and then spread throughout Europe. Bialetti enterprises continue to manufacture these iconic coffee pots, which are extremely popular in Europe and Latin America.
Moka pots make espresso-like coffee through a simple process but are not true espresso because the pressure is 1-2 bars, whereas espresso machines press the coffee with a whopping 8-9 bars of pressure.
How To Use A Moka Pot?
A Moka pot contains two pieces: a bottom chamber that holds water and a collection chamber on top to catch the coffee. In the middle is a basket for the coffee grounds and right above this is a tube that dispenses the finished coffee to the collection chamber. There is also a safety valve in the collection chamber and a pour spout.
To use a Moka pot, unscrew the water chamber and fill it with water to the safety valve. Fill the basket with coffee grounds, but do not tamp, and place the basket in the water chamber.
Next, screw the collection chamber unto the water chamber and place the Moka pot on a hot burner. Once the coffee brews, the Moka will hiss, and the coffee will pour through the tube into the collection chamber. That’s it! You now have a great brew!
A word of caution is needed here. Moka pots are made of stainless steel, and they are very hot once the coffee is made. Use towels or mitts to remove the Moka pot from the stovetop.
Best Coffee For Moka Pots
Since Moka pots make strong coffee, similar to espresso, strong coffee is recommended. I prefer to use Cuban espressos like Pilon or Cafe Bustelo. Below is a list of the best coffees to brew. Of course, we here at JP prefer Wicked Jack, but we’re biased.
- Wicked Jack African Treasure
- Pilon
- Cafe Bustelo
- Coffee Bros. Dark Roast
- Kona Estate Dark Roast
The right coffee is purely subjective. The most important factor is the coffee grind size. Most Moka pot enthusiasts (me included) prefer the grounds to be finer than those used for drip and coarser than espresso grind size. This gives the ideal extraction yield.
Wicked Jack African Treasure
What Is The Best Moka Pot?
I was given a Moka pot this past Christmas from Cuba by a fellow traveler/writer, so it will be the only one I ever use. It’s my favorite. But if you are new to Moka pots, here is a list of the best pots, along with links to get you started on your coffee journey sooner.
- Bialetti Moka Express
This is an undeniable classic. The name that started it all. It is ergonomic and has a plastic handle. Amazon
- Bialetti Venus Induction Capable Moka Pot
Bialetti comes in at number two because this is the best Moka pot for an induction burner. Amazon
- GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Maker
For those who prefer a great cup of joe while roughing it, GSI offers a perfect mini Moka pot. It’s smaller than a Moka pot and includes a drinking cup in one convenient setup. It brews directly into the cup instead of the upper chamber, making it portable. Amazon
Is Coffee From a Moka Pot As Strong As Espresso?
Here is the million-dollar question; the short answer is it’s as close as possible. Don’t get me wrong. I love espresso and espresso machines. However, I also love Moka pots. They just serve two different purposes.
Although both pots brew strong coffee, it boils down (pun intended) to pressure. The more pressure forced through the grounds, the faster the flavor extraction produces stronger coffee. Espresso machines are designed at 8-9 bars of pressure, while a Moka pot has 1-2 bars. In all reality, it’s hard to tell the difference unless you have a refined palette.
Simply put, for less than $100, you can buy a Moka pot and start experimenting. If you fall in love with it, and I think you will, you can move up to the pricier gadgets. As a traveler who often lives on boats and RVs, the Moka pot is my best solution, and I love it.
FAQ’s
1. Why should I not tamp the coffee in a Moka pot?
A: Tamping coffee grounds in a Moka pot will make your coffee bitter due to excessive pressure. Worse, the pot could explode. Moka pots do not like excessive pressure, so water should never cover the steam valve, and the grounds should never be tamped.
2. How long does it take to brew in a Moka pot?
3-4 minutes. Yes, brewing an espresso-quality brew is faster than most single-cup units. Even over an open flame at your favorite campsite.
3.Why does my Moka pot leak?
The upper chamber screws onto the lower chamber with a threaded system. There is a gasket that ensures the pot doesn’t leak. Sometimes these gaskets wear out, disappear, or harden. However, the problem is usually minor, and the leaking should not raise any alarm.
4. Is a Moka Pot a Percolator?
No. Percolators produce batches of coffee, whereas a Moka pot makes shots or a single cup at most.
Conclusion
Moka pots are a great and portable way to brew strong coffee and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The pots are so affordable it’s worth trying one out for yourself. The one I have has historical significance and is a favorite culinary tool of mine.
I encourage you to try one yourself and let us know your thoughts!
