How did I select the right Moka Pot for me?
Nowadays, when it is so easy to extract coffee, why is there still a reason to use a Moka Pot to make a cup of espresso? Making coffee in a Moka Pot, watching the liquid boil and bubble, is sometimes even more fun than drinking coffee. Apart from the ritual, the Moka Pot certainly has many irreplaceable advantages.
The Moka Pot has a long history and is an inescapable brewing appliance for almost all coffee lovers. On the one hand it is retro in shape, with its recognisable octagonal shape making a cool display in a corner of a room, and on the other hand it is convenient However, for the beginner, if you don’t control the temperature of the water, the grind and the water to powder ratio, you could end up with a coffee that doesn’t have the right flavour. Here, a detailed guide to the operation of the Moka Pot, with steps and tips, will help you make a great tasting espresso.
The Moka Pot was invented in 1933 by the Italian Alfonso Bialetti. The emergence of the Moka Pot brought great convenience to Italians drinking coffee at home, allowing everyone to have a rich, full-bodied cup of espresso at home at any time. In Italy, almost every household has a Moka Pot.
The pot is divided into two parts: the lower seat contains the water, which is heated at the bottom to bring it to boiling point. The pressure of the water vapour causes the water to be pressed up through the central pipe through the powder chute, through the coffee powder into coffee liquor and then filtered through the filter to overflow from the metal tube in the centre of the upper seat. The extraction process is completed in this way.
Sealed with a rubber gasket, it can reach boiling point faster than ordinary filter pots and takes less time; a variety of heating methods such as gas stoves and electric stoves, convenient for home use; a variety of shapes and sizes, you can choose the style according to your preferences and needs; more portable than coffee machines, more mellow than filter brewing, more suitable for making milk coffee at home …… If you like espresso and enjoy the process of making it by hand, a Moka Pot is a good choice.
Before choosing a Moka Pot, you need to know this knowledge to decide what kind of Moka Pot you want. Here are some tips for you to consider.
- Capacity
“Cup size” generally refers to the amount of shot produced by the espresso, so you can choose according to the actual situation of your use.
- Material
The original Moka Pots are basically made of aluminium, which is lightweight, conducts heat quickly and can maintain the flavour of the coffee; nowadays, more durable and slightly more expensive stainless steel is also produced, and more heating methods are available.
- Heating methods
Commonly used are gas stoves, electric stoves and electric ceramic stoves, only individually can be used on induction stoves.
- Difference between single and double valved model
Single and double valve models have the same extraction principle and mode of operation, the difference is that the double valve is a Moka Pot that can extract coffee oils, the upper pot adds a pressurised valve, thus making the coffee extraction more intense; from a professional point of view, the double valve has more pressure and higher concentration, it is also a coffee pot that can extract oils. Overall, the double-valve Moka Pot extracts a thicker oil than the single-valve Moka Pot.
It should be clarified that this generally refers to a comparison of coffees extracted in different Moka Pots under the same conditions. The oil in the coffee is more related to the variety and the degree of roasting.
I have collected the following 6 Moka Pots and will now describe each of them and the experiences I have had with them.
Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker
Bialetti is one of the most famous moka makers in Italy, and its wide range of shapes and lacquered colours is one of the must-have gifts for every traveller to Italy. This octagonal classic Moka Pot has a special patented pressure gathering valve to extract the full aroma of coffee, and is also easy to clean with its patented parts. It is also easy to replace with parts from a wide range of outlets, making it highly recommended for both newcomers and coffee lovers.
Tescoma Monte Carlo Coffee Maker ——- place it to the last phrase
To distinguish it from other Moka Pots on the market, this one has a rounded curve to create a large but beautiful shape. The lid is angled at the back of the lid to make it easier to open with one hand and to eliminate the risk of burning your fingers due to high temperatures. Moreover, there are videos of the product in action on almost all the major online stores, so even first-time buyers can easily get to grips with it. What’s even better is that it has a wide range of capacities and is suitable for a wide range of stoves, even if you don’t have a gas stove at home, so it seems to make a great housewarming gift for friends and family.
Zulay Classic Stovetop Espresso Maker
The Zulay Moka Pot can be used on top of a gas or ceramic stove, enabling you to easily make and enjoy the best tasting coffee. The classic Italian style design ensures even heat distribution for a rich, smooth coffee flavour and aroma. Available in 3, 5 and 8-cup models in a choice of eight colours, the top knob and handle are insulated and made of aluminium for lighter and faster heating. An affordable aluminium Moka Pot in a variety of capacities and colours.
DeLonghi Italian Moka Espresso Machine
The Delonghi stainless steel espresso machine makes elegant mocha coffee with an integrated convenient filter adapter allowing for up to 6 cups, with a removable base for cordless service. Electrically heated, it automatically cuts off when finished to prevent over extraction and eliminates the need to keep watch over making coffee. With a choice of 3-cup and 6-cup capacity filters for replacement, this is a worry-free and thoughtful Moka Pot with electric heating and automatic cut-off to keep it warm.
LuxHaus Stovetop Espresso Maker
The LuxHaus Moka Kettle is made of 100% stainless steel and has a simple, rounded shape that is highly durable and easy to clean. The handle and lid toggle are heat resistant and can be used on all types of stoves (induction, electric, etc.). Only available in 3 and 6-cup versions, this is a cost effective and sophisticated stainless steel Moka Pot.
Imusa Manual Stovetop Espresso Maker
IMUSA espresso Moka Pot, made of durable aluminium, helps to keep coffee warm and heated more evenly, making it more suitable for making and espresso. It takes just five minutes to make two 9oz cups of coffee. Available in 1,3,6,9-cup models with insulated top knob and handle, not for induction or dishwasher use.
Additionally, different pot types are suitable for different qualities of coffee beans. High and narrow Moka Pots with a high, deep water reservoir, slow heating and high pressure, suitable for steaming light-roast coffees. Medium-high Moka Pots suitable for steaming medium-roast coffees. Short-wide Moka Pots with low water reservoir, fast heating and low pressure, suitable for steaming dark-roast coffee.
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