You will find this little contraption on the stovetops of almost any Italian home you visit. It is a symbol for ‘coffee-at-home’ in the eyes of Italians, and for good reason.
A lot of people are familiar with the drink you may find in your local cafe called “mocha”. But don’t confuse that chocolatey drink to the moka pot, because they are quite different. The moka pot is used for making a strong, almost espresso-like, coffee.
It was invented by an Italian engineer named Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, and has become a household staple ever since. Bialetti is also the name of the original brand who started manufacturing moka pots, which you can still find today. They are made of aluminum and are built to stand the tests of time.
So how does it work? Using a fine espresso-like grind, put the coffee in the funnel-shaped part. Next, fill the bottom base with water up to the safety valve. Place the part with the coffee into the part with water and then screw on the top part. Place the moka pot on the stove at medium-high heat. The water will boil and the steam pressure will funnel up through the coffee and spurt out into the top chamber, resulting in a strong coffee. The concept is similar to that of an espresso machine.
So who is this for? Anyone who likes strong coffee or espresso will be very satisfied using the moka pot! It is a household staple in Italy for good reason, and Italians are known for enjoying their coffee. I would wholeheartedly recommend using this beautiful device.