What is a Moka Pot?
These little pots are quick and simple to use and give you a stronger and richer brew than you would get from your drip coffee maker. The pot sits on your stovetop and it brews coffee by passing boiling water through ground coffee with the help of pressurized steam. You can find the pots in aluminum or stainless steel. Stainless steel will last longer, but I’ve used this aluminum Bialetti Moka pot for years and it’s still going strong. Be aware that if you have an induction stovetop, an aluminum pot will not be compatible. They do sell steel adapters you can use so you can use an aluminum pot, or I have a second pot from IKEA that I use. Bialetti also makes an excellent stainless steel pot that’s suitable for induction stovetops. Lastly, when you’re buying your pot, you’ll want to consider what size you need. Most Moka pot coffee ‘cups’ are around 2 fluid ounces. I own a 6 cup pot and they also come in 1, 2, and 3 cups. You can even find some pots that make up to 18 cups which would work if you’re making coffee for a crowd.
How Does it Compare to Other Brewing Methods?
With so many options for brewing, it might be tricky to decide how the Moka pot stacks up. Essentially, the Moka pot will brew a thick, strong cup of java similar to espresso. The pot uses steam pressure to brew the coffee, which is like an espresso machine, although an espresso machine uses a lot more pressure. If you’re looking for a lighter cup, either the drip coffee maker or the Chemex method would be the way to go. Both use the drip method which means water is poured over grinds in a paper filter and it drips into the empty chamber below. The French press and Aeropress methods are both fast and easy to use and will produce smoother and lighter coffee than a Moka pot. Overall, if you’re looking for a robust sip of coffee, the Moka pot will give you great results. Read on for my step-by-step guide on brewing the best coffee in your pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What You’ll Need to Make Coffee in Your Pot
This is what you’ll need to make 2 cups of coffee: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
2 tablespoons ground coffee (more or less depending on how strong you like your coffee): You can use pre-ground coffee or grind your own beans at home. Check the section below on the grind size that you need.1 ½ cups warm water: Use filtered water if you can; there will be less mineral buildup in your pot.
Which Coffee Should You Use?
Look for a medium-fine grind which is a little bit coarser than espresso. If you use too fine of a grind, (like the one used for Turkish coffee), it will clog up your Moka pot and you might end up with grounds in your coffee. I sometimes like to make it easy on myself and buy pre-ground coffee from the store, but you can also grind your own beans at home. Grinding your own beans would ensure that you have the perfect medium-fine grind every time. As for the roast, I like to use a dark roast, but anything medium to dark would work depending on your tastes.
How to Use a Moka Pot
It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to brew the perfect cup of coffee in your pot. It might take you a bit of practice to get it right, but once you do, you’ll be so happy to enjoy this delicious treat any time you want!
Recipe Tips
How to Clean and Care for your Pot
These little pots are easy to clean. You shouldn’t put them in the dishwasher or use abrasive cleansers when cleaning as they will corrode your pot. All you need to do is empty out the used coffee grinds and rinse the basket. Dry everything off with a paper towel and put it away until next time!
Ways to Use Your Coffee
You can use the coffee from your pot to make delicious lattés and coffees at home. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Americano: Enjoy an Americano coffee by pouring 8 ounces of just boiled water into 1 cup (or 2 ounces) of Moka pot coffee.Latte: Brew coffee in your pot as normal and heat milk separately. Use a handheld frother to froth the milk. Pour your coffee into a cup and top it with the frothed milk. A good ratio is 1/3 coffee to 2/3 milk.Iced coffee: Brew it hot in your pot and allow it to cool to room temperature. When it’s ready, pour it over ice in a tall glass.
Save this recipe for the next time you’re feeling a little fancy and want to enjoy a nice cup of Moka pot coffee and share this recipe with the coffee connoisseurs in your life! Pin it for more people to enjoy too! © Little Sunny Kitchen
