Are you craving for a good shot of espresso? But don’t feel like getting ready to show up at Starbucks? Well, nothing can beat that feeling of making something on your own. But espresso machines are way too expensive.
So, if you are trying to save some money and eagerly to make a cup of café-quality espresso right in your kitchen, you’re just in the right place!
Every coffee expert swears by the magical moka pot, which is also known as the Stovetop Espresso maker. This Italian coffee maker gives the traditional vibe looking elegant and stylishly sophisticated. You should definitely give it a try. It can make magic happen if used in the right way.
We are here to share few guidance to choose the best pot and how to brew espresso in a moka pot.
Moka Coffee vs Espresso
Sorry for bursting your bubble, you can’t make true espresso out of a moka express like the one you find at café. The reason behind this is, espresso is created when hot water is forced at an intense pressure through finely grounded coffee. This immense force only can be generated by an actual espresso machine, which is 5-10 times more pressure.
Comparing moka vs espresso grind, ground size here should be medium-fine. As a result, this coffee has got a less sharp taste and less foam.
But don’t lose hope. It does a pretty decent job of getting close to satisfy your cravings for espresso-like drinks. Instead of making a super-strong or a light drip coffee, it offers us the perfect hybrid.
You are going to experience the fine in-between aroma, flavor, taste, and texture without investing much. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to find how to brew espresso in a moka pot.
There are a few criteria you should look for before buying this brewer so that it serves your purpose well. So, in this crazy world of choices, we will help to pick the right one for you.
Electric or Stovetop?
Stovetop coffee maker requiring some extra effort on your part to brew the perfect cup, allows you to control the temperature fully. Not to mention, you can brew with it in the age-old traditional way that looks aesthetically pleasing.
On top of that, it’s a super fun thing to do! Once placed on the stove, water gets heated and pressurized, which leads to the vaporization of water. Then it brews magic by passing vaporized steam through finely-ground beans. And ta-da! There you have got yourself a perfect cup of crema coffee having the silky texture, aroma, and taste.
However, with the added advantage of electrical power, you don’t have much to do when it comes to an electric moka pot. Just pour water in the lower compartment and put your favorite coffee in the filter basket, and you’re good to go. This versatile machine offers you to get the benefit of a strong, smooth, and silky cup of coffee anywhere, anytime.
So, if you are living in a dorm or hostel where you can’t have access to the kitchen, this is the best pick for you. Or you can buy it for your workplace and win the heart of your coffee lover colleagues! Just keep in mind electric one makes your job easy at the cost of sacrificing a bit of quality as you can’t control the temperature. In brewing, heat is one of the significant key factors that affect the taste and flavor of the coffee.
Delonghi Alicia Electric Coffee Maker is the best electric moka pot that makes the authentic Italian espresso. Your coffee will never burn as it comes with a safety automatic shutdown process. So, the forgetful ones, take notes! Moreover, you’ll be able to monitor the entire process through the transparent container and detach it from the base while serving.
Up for some rich and creamy espresso? Get a Bialetti Brikka. It comes with a valve that creates thick foam.
What size to buy?
Now, before you rush into the nearby store, make yourself informed about the moka pot sizes. Try to find which one fits your need. Here is a moka pot size guide to make your decision easy and quick. Have a look.
| Stovetop Size | Brew Measure (fluid ounces) |
|---|---|
| 1 Cup Moka Pot | 2 oz |
| 2 Cup Moka Pot | 4 oz |
| 4 Cup Moka Pot | 6.5 oz |
| 6 Cup Moka Pot | 10 oz |
| 8 Cup Moka Pot | 16 oz |
Living alone, you may be wondering what size moka pot for 1 person is the right one to have. One cup pot is all that you need to fix your coffee craving real quick. You will have to prepare multiple batches to satisfy your habit if you’re a heavy drinker.
The 2 cup one will be an ideal choice for couples who love to share the morning coffee. But do keep in mind, it won’t be enough for two if both of you are “coffeeholic” and love to go back for the second one.
If you have friends coming over every now and then, 6 cups should be the one you’re looking for. The outcome won’t enough if you love to arrange parties without several batches.
The 8 cup one can easily serve three to four heavy coffee drinkers as well. So, it can be a great option for those who live with multiple coffeeholics.
Now, don’t be tempted to go as big as possible while making a purchase. Having a bigger pot than your actual need might cause an over-extraction problem because you will be using less water than the capacity. That means when you’ll have a sip, the caffeine level and texture will seem “off” which goes against the purpose of using the coffee brewer.
Again, it will take way longer time to get heated and waste your time. So, pay attention to your coffee drinking habits and patterns to choose the suitable one for you.
Best Coffee for Moka Pot
Now that you’ve added the best brewer in your kitchen, let’s find the best coffee for it.
The whole bean is undoubtedly the finest choice for freshest taste with the oozing aroma. Get a good grinder and grind it just before brewing. Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee allows you to get the best grind for the moka pots. Though it’s a bit pricey, it’s worth it. You can get a cup of rich, smooth, silky coffee with a hint of chocolate and caramel will be served out of it. It has low acidity and less bitter aftertaste to it as well, making it the best coffee for moka pot.
If you’re tight in budget, Lavazza Super Crema can help you by providing dark roasted, flavorful Italian beans without straining your pocket.
We understand, not every day you have the mood or stamina for grinding beans. We won’t judge you if you want something fast and easy to start your day with at the cost of compromising a bit of quality.
Let’s be honest. We all grabbed a quick McDonald’s burger over a fancy one on the go!! Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee Blend is sworn by the people who prefer pre-ground coffee. It takes care of the perfect ground, especially for a moka pot, making it the best moka pot coffee. Besides, it’s very affordable and super convenient.
Have you got a sweet tooth? Then not robusta, but arabica coffee is for you. Better check the label for “100% Arabica” while buying coffee. Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee has an exceptionally sweet, fruitier taste that no other Arabica coffees can match. For pre-ground, choose Volcanica Coffee Ethiopian Yirgacheffe that comes with a good range of choices of flavor.
Moka Pot Recipe for Brewing an Amazing Cup of Espresso
Ready to learn the way of making a dream-like cup of coffee? Get all these things prepared so that you don’t have to run around as you brew:
- Coffee Beans or Pre-Ground Coffee
- Coffee Grinder
- Moka Pot
- Wet Towel
- Knife
- Stove
- Sink with a Cold Faucet
Optional things to have:
- French Press
- Milk
- Sugar
Now that you’ve got all these things ready, we’re good to go. Follow these simple and easy steps on how to brew espresso in a Moka pot:
- To produce a great cup of coffee, grind it fresh will allow you to extract the maximum flavor. If you grind too fine, it will cause over-extraction and result in a bitter-tasting coffee. Typically, the moka pot grind size should be slightly coarser than espresso but finer than that for a French press.
- Take apart your device by detaching the top and then remove the filter basket. Fill the bottom of your pot with hot filtered water for a cleaner tasting coffee. To avoid burnt tasting coffee, don’t use cold water. Stop pouring once the water level has reached the bottom of the safety valve.
- Fill your filter basket with ground coffee. Now, for moka pot espresso crema, get a Bialetti moka pot or mix some sugar with the ground you’ve got. Level it out with a knife. Run your finger to remove any residue around the lip. Don’t tamp. Pushing it down hard will lead to a clogged filter.
- Place the filter basket back into the base. To prevent yourself from burning, hold the pot with a damp towel. Seal the top nice and tight. It’s now ready to be placed on the stove.
- To allow a graduate controlled extraction, have your heat source set to moderate heat. Keep the lid open.
- As the flow becomes more vigorous, you’ll hear a gurgling sound. Take it off the stove. Run it under a cold faucet in the sink. It stops the brewing process.
Your espresso is now ready to serve. If you love latte, follow these additional steps:
- Heat some milk.
- Froth it up with a French press until it doubled in volume.
- Tap out the little air bubbles. Pour it onto the coffee you’ve just made.
Voila! There you have a super delicious and wholesome cup of latte.
Dos and Don’ts to Maintain Your Moka Pot
Show a little love and care to make sure you get a good brew for a long time.
- We know the coffee experts split in two on this matter, but don’t clean your moka brewer using dish soap or detergent. It will react with the metal. Just clean it using warm water and dry with a towel will keep it looking like a new one.
- Keep the rubber gasket (that seals the top with the base) clean.
- Don’t store the pot tightly sealed. That adds pressure and will age out the rubber. So, keep it loosely sealed.
- If you notice a stalled out brewing process in your Bialetti Brikka, give the valve a light tap with a spoon to release the pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Happiness can’t be bought, but a moka pot can be, and that’s pretty close. Now you know how to brew espresso in a moka pot. So, what’s stopping you from playing with it? But do consider keeping a little patience to master the art of brewing magic. You’ll be able to make the best shot of coffee in no time right in your kitchen!