This little gadget changed my life. If you’re like me and love espresso drinks but don’t have the (1) space, or (2) funds to keep an espresso machine at home then the Moka pot is the answer. Moka pots are often called stovetop espresso makers. They don’t make espresso in the true sense, but the coffee they make gets pretty close. Since I picked up a Moka pot I’ve slashed my Starbucks habit, so I no longer have to choose between good espresso drinks and savings zee money. Thanks Moka pot.
How does this piece of kitchen magic work? Check it out here.
Just a note, if you have an induction type stove, the Moka pot may not work as well purchasing a pot with an integrated electric heating element may be best. Otherwise I’ve used the Moka pot successfully on both gas and electric ranges, although it may take some experimenting with your stove to get the perfect percolation.
Where can you get a Moka Pot? I got mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $30. I chose a Bialetti Moka Express in the 3-cup size like the one pictured above. This is by far the most famous Moka pot and is an essential kitchen gadget in Italian households, not to mention it just looks really cool. Sizes range from 1-cup, 3-cup, 6-cup, 9-cup, all the way up to the 12-cup. I’d recommend the 3-cup or 6-cup since the quality of the coffee tends to go down with the larger sizes, but if you normally serve a large group of people then by all means go with the big ones.
There are a few different models besides the Moka Express. The Brikka model is small and has a special pressure valve which ensures that the coffee has the crema found in traditional espresso. If you want the closest approximation to a true espresso without an expensive machine, the Brikka is what you should go for. If you only drink lattes and cappuccino then the Mukka Express may be the pot for you since it holds milk in the upper chamber and can froth it for cappuccino or warm it for a latte.
If you decide to get a Moka Pot there are a few important things to know. The first element is the coffee you use. Typically espresso is a darker roast and pretty oily so it will give you the flavor most espresso drinkers are used to. Most grocery stores or coffee houses have a dedicated espresso coffee that will work as a good starting point. The second essential element is the grind. If you’re a coffee fan it’s worth investing in a good burr grinder and grinding your beans immediately before use. If you have your own grinder aim for a grind size that is more coarse than an espresso grind but finer than what you would use for an auto-drip. If your grinder works on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being powder and 10 being coarse, I’d say aim for a 2.5-4.
If the prospect of grinding your own beans seems like too much work, there is a good alternative. When I get lazy sometimes I reach for pre-ground coffee. Pre-ground doesn’t always mean inferior quality and I’ve found that Illy’s Moka coffee works well and it also comes in a neat reusable metal container. It is vacuum sealed to maintain freshness and specially ground just for Moka pots so it works great. It can be a little hard to find, but Straub’s Grocery in the Central West End of St. Louis carries it and it may be available at Whole Foods or another specialty store that carries a lot of coffee. Otherwise, ordering online is an easy solution.
Give the Moka Pot a try, it makes an amazing cup of coffee and is a solid alternative to the money and space required of a true espresso machine. Not to mention it’s a delicious way to get your daily caffeine fix.
Here is where you can get one:
Sip & Snack 