Make espresso coffee with a moka pot

Couple of weeks ago I bought a moka pot to my father for father's day present. So far I have been the only person using it, mainly because I have made coffee with it when I'd like to have a cup of espresso, and from the same pot everyone else got their espressos too if they wanted.

What I have searched on instructables, I haven't seen any instructable (only) on making coffee with moka pot. There's how to use a moka pot in some instructables, but they were like just one step. So I thought that this wonderful drink would need an instructable of it's own!

Be sure to comment about anything: what was good, what wasn't, if there's some misspelling or anything you would like to know (I'll do my best to answer). Let me know what you think!

Step 1 What you're gonna need

You're going to need just a couple of things:

-Moka pot
-Espresso grind coffee*
-Stove
-Espresso cup

*If you have a coffee grinder, then I would prefer just espresso coffee beans and grind them at home to a very fine grind, but I don't happen to have a coffee grinder so I am going to use already grind beans. Both will work fine.

Then you will need water of course, but that's kinda obvious so I propably don't have to put it on the list above.

Comments

[Panamaboob]

I bought some "espresso" coffee in a bag in Costa Rica recently...actually two different brands, El Rey and Britt. El Rey is the most wellknown coffee in the country and Britt seems to have the tourist as the target.

Well, surprisingly, El Rey Espresso was the better of the two, mainly, I believe, because they grind their coffee very fine, and not like regular drip coffee, which Britt seems to not have caught on to.

To me, any "espresso" coffee that is not finely ground is just plain coffee, even if it is a dark roast. The fine grinding really allows the flavor to move out. All the coffees that are "espresso" that I have tried in Italy, Germany and Panama....which also makes outstanding espresso (Duran), have been fine ground.

That's why I no longer grind my own...I can find a decent reasonably priced grinder that really grinds fine.

[dianam1976]

Good Instructable!
I have been using the Bialetti Mocca machine for more than ten years, and if i may . Ii would add that if anyone is going to invest in a mocha machine make surre to get the reall stuff like the Bialetti (seen on your pics). It is more expensive than a regular one, but it is well made and doesn't brake easily or have your handle melting :):) i heard numerous stories with cheapone that have literally exploded like a bomb !!!
Also while in Italy, i found out from a local lady that they don't wash it with washing up liquid, because the aluminium absorbe the taste and therefore you next coffee might taste a bit like soap...so water only is best :)
Finally If you are going to groung your coffee yourself, make sure that you don't grind it to the powder stage, have it slightly coarse if you are going to use on the mocca machine..the coffee taste better for some reason.
:)

[kpieslinger]

Aside from cleaning it "by hand" every time, I also clean it say once every six months with white (alcohol) vinegar. I put a mix of water and (again, white!) vinegar in the pot and make it run. After the mix boils and fills the upper compartment, I throw the hot water mix and let the pot cool down.

I have used the same technique on espresso machines. Sort of a maintenance, "unclog" process.

Also, FWIW, this would not be "espresso coffee" but "moka coffee". The difference between espresso and moka would be in the water pressure. For an "espresso effect" you would need 3 times more vapor pressure than you get with these stove-powered things!

[Jodex]

Thanks for your comment! I'm always happy to get corrections and improvement ideas.

Cleaning your pot better every once in a while is a good idea.

Yes, I know there's a difference between "real" espresso and moka "espresso", but I used the word espresso here, because I have seen it being used quite a lot in the internet.

[valeg]

I'm Italian and I've grown up using a moka coffee maker, and there's only a couple points that I'd contest in your instructable. One is to not let the water reach the safety valve. you should have enough water to reach the valve, just not go over it.

Secondly, you can brew coffee at high temps, but usually it's done at the lowest heat you can have. It's slower, but it's better coffee.

And third -- that's all the coffee you're using?! I usually make a small mountain, and then let the top part press it for me. But then, I like my coffee strong...

[Jodex]

Thanks for the comment!

I think it's okay to say that the water level shoudn't reach the valve, but it might be okay also if it touches it. I can make just a half a pot (they say you shoudn't) and then the water isn't nearly up to the valve.

Your second point must also be correct. I myself just always make it with the highest temperature and it has seemed to work well. Lower temp would be pretty slow, but I must try it to see the difference!

And finally, the amount of coffee is pretty much everyone's personal choise, I have used about that much (maybe a little more) and it has been about a good amount in my opinion.

[rvalotta]

Your description of how it works is a little off... As the water vaporizes it expands int he void above the water pushing the water up through the grinds into the pot.

Nice instructable. The only thing I've ever done different is put the grinds in so there is a mound that comes above the top of the filter. Then put the top on and allow it to slightly press the coffee grinds down. It's all a matter of preference on how strong you like your coffee

[Jodex]

Thanks for the comment! I might fix that water thing soon!

[Jodex]

Yes, now it's good. I checked out and you were right. Thanks for the correction!