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How to use an Italian "moka" coffee maker?

Discover how to make a creamy and delicious coffee with the moka pot, a tool that makes espresso accessible to all enthusiasts. This article guides you in choosing beans and shares effective methods to ensure optimal extraction without clogging the filter. Learn practical tips to enjoy homemade coffee that compares to that of the finest cafés.

Moka pots (or Italian coffee makers) were created at a time when espresso machines were very expensive. They allowed the general public to access espresso-like coffee at home. It is indeed possible with Italian coffee makers to obtain a foam similar to the crema of an espresso. To achieve this, you need to choose the right coffee and apply a few techniques.

The coffee must have a grind similar to that used for an espresso, without being too fine.

  • If the grind is too fine: part of the grounds will rise with the water and end up in the cup. This is not the desired result.
  • If the grind is too coarse (French Press type), the extraction will be too light and you will get a diluted coffee.
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Ideally, weigh the coffee you put in the filter to achieve better consistency. If you don’t have a precise scale, check out our comparison here.

No, you should not tamp the coffee in the filter.

However, use a spoon to level the coffee in the filter. The goal is to have an even surface so that the water flows through the coffee uniformly.

  • Regular density: good extraction.
  • Irregular density: uneven extraction (phenomenon also observed on professional espresso machines).
Importance of a homogeneous grind
The importance of a homogeneous grind for good extraction
  1. Fill the water reservoir up to the safety valve (without exceeding it).
  2. Place the filter back on the reservoir.
  1. Weigh and grind the coffee then spread it evenly in the filter.
  1. Place the reservoir on low heat. I don’t put the complete coffee maker on right away to prevent the upper part from heating too quickly and burning the coffee.
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  1. Assemble the coffee maker by adding the upper part once the coffee starts to come up.
  1. Heat on low heat. You will hear a characteristic sound when the coffee is ready. Be careful not to leave it on the heat for too long.
  1. Serve and enjoy your moka coffee.
Served moka coffee
A moka coffee ready to enjoy
Tip
Don’t forget that you can repurpose coffee grounds.

Moka pots require regular replacement of sealing gaskets.
As soon as you notice a loss of pressure or steam leak, change the gasket. They are sold in sets – make sure they match the diameter of your coffee maker.

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