How to make the perfect coffee in an Italian coffee maker?
The traditional Italian coffee maker , also known as a moka pot, greca, or macchinetta, continues to provide excellent service in all our kitchens. It's a timeless design, having become an icon when it comes to coffee.
They don't need updating, as they are perfectly crafted to fulfill their purpose.
Therefore, neither the more sophisticated coffee machines that have emerged subsequently, nor the super-automatic ones, and much less the manual filter coffee machines that have emerged recently, have been able to end their existence, since each preparation method results in a type of drink/coffee with different nuances.
The Italian coffee maker has a very simple mechanism, and the coffee prepared in it is truly high-quality, as long as quality coffee and a correct preparation recipe are used.
That is the secret of its permanence over time.
Origin of the Italian coffee maker
Alfonso Bialetti was the inventor of the Italian coffee maker
The Italian coffee maker has always been considered a very revolutionary invention, which remains relevant.
Its origin dates back to the 1930s, when espresso machines began to be perfected in Italy for professional use.
But manufacturers realized that a home-use coffee-making device was missing. It had to be of sufficient quality so that the whole family could enjoy delicious coffee made in their kitchen.
The idea sparked the engineer Alfonso Bialetti's motivation to design and patent his revolutionary coffee maker in 1933. He named it the Moka Express , perfectly crafted from aluminum, following the patterns and styles of the era. The design draws on Art Deco and has endured with minor variations.
His invention revolutionized the culinary world, creating great acceptance in all Italian homes, who without hesitation bought the machine created by Bialetti en masse.
How does the Italian coffee maker work?
Visual section of the operation of the Italian moka pot
As for the operation of the Italian coffee maker , it is very simple and practical thanks to its very simple engineering design, whose application is perfectly manageable in the domestic environment.
For use, it is important to know that the coffee maker is divided into three main parts.
The first is made up of a base or storage chamber for the water.
The second is the metal scoop/filter where the ground coffee is placed.
And the third and last is a jug-shaped upper chamber with its respective lid, which is where the coffee appears once extracted.
Additionally, it has a very fine filter and a rubber seal at the bottom. When heat is applied to the coffee maker, previously prepared with water and ground coffee, the temperature rises, and the water evaporates.
Italian moka pot in operation
There comes a time when this steam has enough force to push the water up and through the ground coffee to make the famous espresso extraction.
The hot water rises through the ground coffee pot to infuse it and continues rising through the pipes, passing through the filters, continuing its journey to the chimney of the upper jug, then exiting through its opening and proceeding to fill the collection chamber.
Bialetti Italian Coffee Maker
Alfonso Bialetti, the engineer who developed the Italian coffee maker
Alfonso Bialetti was the engineer who developed the Italian coffee maker and the founder of the company that bears his name. But not all Moka pots on the market bear his name.
Currently, there are a good number of coffee makers on the market that have the same mechanism, although with minor aesthetic differences, adaptations made by each manufacturer.
It's worth noting that the original Bialetti Italian coffee maker has also had its catalog updated. It has been updated with small touches, especially its original Moka Express model. Other colors have been used, making it very aesthetically pleasing due to the decorative details.
Moka pots tend to be classified according to the number of cups they can fill, which typically range from 1 to 8 cups.
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Aluminum or stainless steel?
The original Bialetti and its descendants are coffee makers made of aluminum , a material that conducts heat very well, and have a handle or handles made of Bakelite, a resistant plastic that prevents any type of burn.
However, there's no arguing that stainless steel coffee makers are the best because they last forever, as their durability allows them to be passed down from generation to generation completely intact.
Italian coffee maker made of aluminum and stainless steel
What coffee to use for an Italian coffee maker?
The quality of the coffee is a fundamental element if you want the drink to be pleasant to the palate.
Ideally, when making coffee in an Italian coffee maker, use roast profiles similar to those you would use on an espresso machine. It's recommended to use sweet and chocolatey profiles that are well-balanced, full-bodied, and have low acidity.
It's important to keep the acidity low/medium, as Italian mocha accentuates the acidity, so we should try to balance our extraction to achieve a balanced and complex result.
In our online coffee shop, you can use the Italian coffee filter.
All of the coffees we recommend for espresso will also give you a good result. Those we recommend for filter/espresso will also give a good result, but these coffees tend to have more fruity flavors and acidity.
The truth is that any coffee can be made in an Italian coffee maker. If you're a beginner, it's best to start by following these guidelines. But if you're already a more advanced coffee maker, you can jump in and experiment with new things.
Different grinders to get the most out of your coffee
It is suggested, within the possibilities of each user, to invest in a coffee grinder , this allows you to grind the coffee at home before preparing it , but if that is not possible, it is better to always ask for a specific grind for this moka pot.
Grinding is an important aspect, as a medium/medium-fine grind is required, neither too fine nor too coarse. If you buy pre-ground coffee, it's best to look for a grind specifically designed for Italian coffee makers.
How to prepare an Italian coffee maker?
- If you're using an Italian coffee maker for the first time, it's recommended to separate all the parts, rinse them with warm water without detergent, and then dry them. It's also recommended to make a first cup of coffee, which you'll then discard before enjoying it, since this is your first time.
- This is done to eliminate any taste it may have from being new, because the goal is to heal its interior.
- When preparing coffee in an Italian coffee maker , it is important to use ground coffee that is neither too fine nor too coarse, then fill the filter using said coffee to its level without pressing it.
- Generally, for 4- to 6-cup Italian coffee makers, 20 grams of coffee tend to be used, but you really need to fill the pot to the top.
- Then you must fill the base with water up to below the valve; the water should not exceed the level and the filter should not float.
- It's a good idea to heat the water first. You can do this with a saucepan, a kettle, or in the coffee maker's Greek style.
- When the water is hot, insert the filter with the coffee, close the coffee maker, place it on the stove, and leave the lid open.
- When the coffee starts to splash, lower the lid and remove the coffee maker from the heat. Remember to stir the coffee before pouring, as the first and last stages of the extraction are not the same and need to be homogenized.
- You can put the base of the Italian coffee maker in cold water to stop the extraction.
It's recommended to always keep your coffee maker clean, meaning wash it immediately after each brew. This way, we remove any residue and oils that may have accumulated inside.
Correct grinding is very important to make coffee correctly in an Italian coffee maker.
Italian induction coffee maker
Aluminum Italian coffee makers do not work on induction cooktops , and not all stainless steel ones work either.
There's a little trick to knowing if a pan or pot will work on an induction cooktop. Use a small magnet and see if it sticks to the surface of the pan or pot.
If so, it will work on an induction cooktop; if not, it won't. This is because induction cooktops use a system of magnets and heating elements to detect the cookware and heat it.
We can use this same trick to find out if our stainless steel coffee maker will work or not (aluminum ones don't).
If the magnet doesn't adhere to the surface and the stove doesn't work, we should consider purchasing an induction Italian coffee maker. They don't necessarily have to be more expensive, since an induction coffee maker can be used on any stovetop.
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Why isn't coffee rising?
It could be several things. Most likely, the coffee you're using is ground too fine, which is why the coffee doesn't rise because it offers too much resistance to the water.
It could also be that you have too much coffee, or that the coffee is pressed ( you shouldn't press coffee in an Italian Moka pot ). It could be that you have little or no water in the reservoir.
It could also be that the pipe or filter through which the coffee rises is calcified or blocked, preventing the water from rising to the top of the coffee maker.
Also, if you notice that your coffee isn't coming out, it's because the coffee maker may have some kind of crack, which means it's perhaps losing steam through the thread or the seal. It's advisable to cool it, tighten it well in case it's not properly closed, and put it back on the heat.
If steam continues to leak, the rubber seal may be damaged and needs to be replaced.
Why is there water left behind?
When your coffee maker's filter has accumulated too much dirt, it doesn't allow water to flow efficiently through the line. Another possible cause is a leak somewhere in the coffee maker, which causes a large portion of the water to be lost during the process.
How to clean an Italian coffee maker?
It is important to keep our Italian coffee maker clean to enjoy the coffee properly.
Simple cleaning
Unscrew the different parts of the coffee maker. You can make a liquid solution with baking soda and water and soak the different parts in a bath for a few hours. Then , use a soft sponge or scouring pad to finish cleaning all the interior and exterior areas . Rinse the Italian coffee maker thoroughly with clean water.
It is important to let it air dry or use a cloth before assembling the coffee maker or storing it.
After each cleaning, you can make a pot of coffee with water, but without coffee, to ensure that any remaining residue is removed.
Another trick is to store the coffee maker disassembled to prevent odors and moisture from accumulating inside.
Cleaning before first use
It's advisable to clean your Italian coffee maker when it's new. Perform the simple cleaning procedure mentioned above, then use any old or spoiled coffee you have lying around to make a pot and throw it away.
Regular cleaning of your Italian coffee maker
It's 100% recommended to clean your coffee maker after each use. There's an urban legend that says steeping coffee after coffee enhances the flavor of your coffee. But this idea is completely wrong. However, avoid harsh commercial cleaning products. Gently clean your Italian Moka pot with soap and water, but consistently, after each use. As we've mentioned, it's important to dry it thoroughly before assembling or storing it.
Limescale removal
With continued use or due to areas where the water contains a lot of limescale, limescale can adhere to different parts of the Italian coffee maker, causing damage or blockages in the filter.
The best product for descaling and cleaning your moka pot is vinegar . White vinegar is fantastic because it cleans, disinfects, and removes limescale and other mineral deposits naturally, leaving no traces of chemicals or odors.
Clean all interior and exterior parts. To clean the inside of the coffee maker spout, you can use one part vinegar to two parts water and prepare a pot on the stovetop, but without coffee. This will thoroughly clean those areas that can't be reached manually. You can repeat this process more than once if necessary.
General recommendations
To get the most out of your coffee, it is recommended to grind the beans just before using them.
For coffee recommendations , the general guidelines are relatively simple. Use specialty coffee, preferably whole beans , and grind them shortly before use. The grind should be fine, slightly coarser than for espresso and slightly finer than for filter coffee, somewhere in between.
In any case, the ideal grind will vary slightly between a 1- or 2-cup coffee maker and a larger 6- or 8-cup coffee maker. The larger the amount of coffee, the coarser the grind should be.
Ideally, you should be able to grind it before preparing the coffee, if possible. Otherwise, you should buy it pre-ground, taking into account the method you'll use for making it. Remember that the grind is very important.
If you typically use ground coffee, try to consume it within short periods of time, no more than a week or two after opening the package. It's important to store it in an airtight container, at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight.
As for the roast profile, the easiest way to achieve a good extraction is to use a coffee recommended/roasted for espresso or automatic/super-automatic. As for the flavor profile, ideally, it will have chocolate flavors, good body, and low acidity , with notes of nuts and sometimes fruit.
In any case, as you progress in your experimentation with the Italian mocha , you will be able to identify the profiles that best suit your tastes.
The Italian coffee maker has many advantages , including its ease of use and maintenance. It's also the most affordable coffee maker you can find and will help you save money on your daily coffee, while providing you with a traditional and delicious cup of coffee every time. The Italian coffee maker is the most versatile appliance in the world!
