Brewing Methods (A Series): The Moka Pot
The Moka Pot is often referred to as the Stovetop Espresso Maker, because its brewing method makes an espresso-like cup of coffee that extracts more caffeine than other brewing methods. If you like dark roasts, espresso, and that extra kick of caffeine to get you started in the morning, I’d suggest considering the Moka Pot as your brewing method.
Brewing Instructions:
Grind your beans to a fine-grind consistency (or when purchasing coffee at a local cafe, ask for your beans to be ground to a fine-grind or espresso-like consistency).
Unscrew the base of the Moka pot and fill it to the top of the line inside the base with filtered cool or room temperature water.
In the metal filter, add 16-18 grams of ground coffee. This measurement is for a 3-cup Moka pot, so adjust based on size. Make sure the metal filter is completely full, packed tightly, and level. Insert the metal filter in the base of the Moka pot.
Screw the top chamber of the pot onto the base tightly, and place on the stove. Begin with the temperature on high but adjust as you need. If you have a gas stove, have it on just enough that the flame covers the base of the pot. Let the water come to a boil.
This is the point in the process where you want to watch and listen to the Moka pot carefully. There will be pressurized steam from the boiling water that helps push the coffee out of the top of the Moka pot into the upper chamber. The time will vary based on stove temperature, amount of water, and how you packed the grounds inside. Once you feel that there is no water left in the base, turn off the stove and pour your coffee into a cup to enjoy. It may take some practice, but that is part of the fun of the Moka pot - learning how to sense when the coffee is done!
Tipsy Bean currently carries Moka pots! We recommend the following blends from our cafe to use when brewing with a Moka pot:
Espresso Blend
Italian Roast
Costa Rican Blend
These are available to purchase in-store at the cafe or online at jo2go.co/coffee.
Things to Consider:
While this is a cheaper way to get espresso-like coffee, there are a couple of cons with this method. Because of the stovetop method, the Moka pot tends to work best on a gas stove. Check the brand of Moka pot for stove compatibility with electric or induction stoves (the Bialetti Moka Induction is a good option). The cleanup is also a little bit more involved. It requires taking apart the Moka pot and cleaning each piece individually. All that to say, if you have the patience and love a good dark roast, it is well worth the time and effort.
