Bialetti Moka Express - an Italian coffee classic, produced since 1933 and found on almost every Italian kitchen hob. It yields strong, rich, concentrated coffee, similar to espresso, but without a machine and without electricity.

The operating principle is simple: water is boiled in the lower chamber, and steam pressure pushes it through ground coffee into the upper chamber. The result is a thick, dark beverage with a rich body, perfect both black and with milk as a base for cappuccino.

How to prepare

• Water: fill the lower chamber up to the valve, no higher. Use hot water - this prevents the coffee from overheating.
• Coffee: medium-fine grind, fill the funnel completely, but do not tamp
• Heat: medium or lower
• When to remove: as soon as a loud gurgling sound is heard - further extraction only produces bitter coffee.

The most common mistakes are tamping the coffee and using excessive heat. Both result in a burnt aftertaste.

Specification

• Capacity: 4 cups, approximately 200 ml of beverage
• Material: aluminum
• Suitable for hobs: gas, electric, ceramic
• For induction hobs: not suitable (requires an adapter or a Bialetti Induction model)

Maintenance

Wash only with hot water, without dish soap and not in a dishwasher. Aluminum develops a coffee patina over time, which improves the taste - detergent destroys it and leaves an aftertaste. The rubber gasket should be replaced once a year.