The Moka Pot is a staple item in Italian kitchens. They make great espresso style coffee and are cheap to buy and easy to use. This picture from How It Works Magazine shows how the stove top pot works:
Heat from the stove creates steam in the bottom section which increases pressure and pushes water up through the coffee granules, into the top chamber where it is ready to be poured. Here is what the results look like:
Follow these steps to make coffee in a Moka Pot
- Fill the bottom section with cold filtered water up to the two metal studs on the side
- Use a finely ground coffee - too coarse and insufficient flavour will be extracted. Do not press the coffee down. The reason for this is the moka pot does not generate enough pressure to cope with compacted coffee, unlike an espresso machine
- Place onto heat source. Keep lid open so you can observe the flow
- The first bit of brewed coffee to trickle out of the spout will be the strongest, and can be drunk as an espresso. Once the flow goes clear extraction is complete. Remove from the heat and run cold water over the bottom section, or wrap in a wet cloth. This stops extraction and prevents you from getting a bitter coffee.
Hopefully this guide helps you get the most from your Moka Pot!