Bialetti Moka Express Pots

Description

The Bialetti legend dates back to 1918,when Alfonso Bialetti opened a workshop in Crusinallo to manufacture semi-finished aluminium products. Bialetti’s ambition and entrepreneurial spirit spurred him on to create a finished product. Then, in 1933 Bialetti’s son Renato used his own feel for business to patent and manufacture the now world-famous Moka Express. This unique product revolutionised coffee-making in the home and led Bialetti to establish the largest coffee-maker factory in the world.

The invention of the Bialetti Moka Express revolutionised the way coffee was produced in the home. This aluminium product, with its innovative system and distinctive octagonal shape, introduced Italians to a new kind of coffee ritual. Then, halfway through the 90’s, the classic Bialetti coffee-maker evolved. Models with new designs and different functions were introduced alongside the original type, always with the same qualities as the legendary Moka. Today this product is still a symbol of Italian culture and tradition. Bialetti’s wide range of models, available in several sizes (1 to 18 cups) satisfies all tastes. Ninety percent of Italian families own at least one Bialetti coffee-maker. Since the start of manufacture, over 270 million Bialetti coffee-makers have been distributed throughout the world, with a daily average of 26 000 products.

Size guide

The Bialetti Moka Express comes in a variety of sizes – each cup corresponding roughly to a ~30ml concentrated shot and most people tend to like doubles. To make a longer drink, many people will dilute the concentrate for an Americano style coffee.

When choosing your size, please bear in mind that the Bialetti stovetop will not work well when partially full, so pick a size that you’ll be happy to fill completely each time. Many people will have a larger one for groups and a smaller one for solo cups of delicious coffee.

Here are our recommendations in terms of number of people being brewed for:

• 1 person – 1/2/3 cup
• 2 people – 4/6 cup
• 3 people – 6/9 cup
• 4 people – 9/12 cup
• 5+ people – 12/18 cup

The history of the Bialetti Moka Express

Legend has it that Alfonso Bialetti designed his first stovetop in his aluminium workshop in Piedmont. At that time in Italy, coffee was drunk in public coffee houses and there wasn’t any decent solution for making a great coffee at home. Bialetti went to work and after many prototypes, the Moka Express was born in 1933.

Initially Bialetti’s invention was sold at local markets but after the second world war, his son Renato launched an advertising campaign based around the little man with the moustache that still adorns every Bialetti stovetop. Some say it was meant to be a caricature of Alfonso Bialetti himself. Whether true or not, this campaign helped propel the Moka Express to becoming the best selling coffee maker of all time, with over 300 million sold to date!

Product features

• Makes a concentrated rich espresso-style coffee
• Made of highly durable aluminium – they have been known to last a lifetime
• Easy to clean – just rinse & wipe and allow to dry
• Suitable for gas or electric stoves
• Great for camping

How to make a coffee with the Bialetti Moka Express

• Grind your coffee to a medium-fine grind (slightly coarser than espresso)
• Fill the bottom chamber with water up to the valve. Ideally this water should already be hot to avoid the coffee sitting on the stove too long but cold water works too!
• Place your ground coffee in the filter basket and level off. It should be full but do not tamp the coffee down – you want it loosely packed.
• Place the filter basket in the bottom chamber with the water and screw on the top part (don’t use the plastic handle for leverage).
• Place the Moka Express on the stove on a medium heat
• Watch or listen for the coffee to start coming out (you can lift the top)
• Once the coffee turns light in colour or you start hearing gurgling, immediately take the Moka Express off the heat. The trick is to catch it before you overheat the coffee.
• Pour immediately!

How to care for your Moka Express

Let the Moka Express cool down before cleaning it. Once cool, take it apart completely, rinse it, give it a wipe and dry it thoroughly. Do not put it in the dishwasher or use abrasives.

It does not really need soap and, in fact, they say that the coffee oil coatings on the inside will help to improve the flavour with time. However, if it starts to collect too much buildup, a gentle clean with dish soap isn’t a bad idea.

Always let it dry completely before putting it back together!