The iconic geyser coffee maker, Moka Express from the Italian brand Bialetti, has become an important part of global coffee culture. The brand’s story began with an enthusiast's desire to make coffee tastier and more affordable.
And this whole story is not about design, marketing, or another Italian legend. In fact, a new brewing method has been born, which has survived to the present day and continues to delight millions of coffee lovers around the world.
Where Did It All Begin?
The first model Moka Express Bialetti was the world's first geyser coffee maker. The machine was created in the thirties of the twentieth century. The development, made by the Italian and a big fan of coffee Alfonso Bialetti, was aimed primarily at allowing lovers of fragrant drinks to enjoy them not only in espresso bars. The company's slogan is: “In casa un espresso come al bar” (from Italian “Espresso at home is the same as in a café”), and all the developer’s attention was focused on repeating the same cup of real Italian espresso, with its strength, aroma, and foam-cream. And in 1933 he succeeded!
The result was so stunning that coffee made with Moka Express is sometimes called espresso to this day. This, of course, is not technically correct but does not diminish the merits of “geyser” coffee – rich, fragrant, and refreshing.
Working Principle of Moka Pot
The principle of work of the Moka Express has also remained unchanged. Everything works on geyser technology (that’s why it is also a geyser type). That isЖ
- Pour water into the lower part;
- A filter with a special funnel is installed on top
- Coffee is poured in there;
- A second bowl is placed on top;
- Everything is put on the fire or electric stove to start the brewing process.
As the water boils, it rises through the funnel, passing through the coffee and condensing in the top bowl. The coffee is ready when all the water from below evaporates and passes into the upper vessel.
Modern Moka Express
The Bialetti Moka Express line has eight models designed for different amounts of brewed coffee – from the “egoist” version for one cup to a huge mocha for 18 cups with a volume of about 1 liter (a liter of coffee for one brew!). All of them are made by proven technology, which has not changed since 1933, and only from the highest quality materials.
Today, Moka is a symbol of the Italian coffee tradition and one of the most popular coffee makers in the world. It has many modifications, such as Brikka (with a special valve to create extra pressure) or Mukka (with built-in milk foamer for cappuccino), but the classic model is still available and even exhibited in museums of industrial art and design around the world.