The Bialetti moka pot — a simple, affordable way to make delicious coffee

Do you recognise those distinctive silver stovetop coffee pots? Have you ever brewed coffee in one and been surprised by how good it tasted? There is a reason moka pots are loved by coffee drinkers around the world. What makes these little pressure brewers such enduring favourites, and what should you know about them? Let us get straight to it.

Why has the moka pot become so popular?

A moka pot is often one of the first accessories a new coffee enthusiast buys. Also known as a stovetop coffee maker, it was created in Italy in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. It remains a practical alternative to a larger coffee machine.

Moka-pot coffee has a distinctive flavour and aroma. Many enthusiasts would not choose to brew their daily cup any other way. These brewers are popular in Poland and especially closely associated with Italian homes.

One of their greatest advantages is simplicity. A moka pot has three main parts: a lower water chamber, a filter basket for ground coffee and an upper chamber that collects the brewed drink. Another benefit is its compact size compared with most coffee machines. It is easy to transport, including on a camping trip, where a suitable traditional model can be used on a gas stove.

How to brew coffee in a moka pot

For delicious results, start with freshly ground beans, ideally ground just before brewing. Explore our roastery's coffee selection here and choose a flavour profile you enjoy. If you do not already own a grinder, that is another useful accessory to consider; you will also find grinders in our online shop.

If you prefer to buy ground coffee, choose a high-quality option and store it correctly. We discuss this in “Where to store coffee to keep its flavour for longer”. The brewing process itself is straightforward.

1. Grind your coffee fairly finely, but not as finely as for espresso.
2. Pour the appropriate amount of hot, not boiling, water into the lower chamber, keeping below the safety valve. Starting with hot water shortens heating time and can help the flavour.
3. Fill the filter basket without exceeding its rim. Level the grounds gently, without tamping; compressing them can interfere with brewing.
4. Place the basket in the lower chamber and clean the rim so that the pot can seal properly without damaging the gasket.
5. Hold the hot lower chamber with a towel or cloth, position the upper section and screw it on carefully.
6. Put the pot on a suitable hob. On gas, use a small burner and keep the flame within the base. On induction, use a compatible model and moderate heat. Heating too aggressively can spoil the flavour; standard aluminium Moka Express models are not automatically induction-compatible.
7. After a few minutes, brewed coffee will begin flowing into the upper chamber. You can observe it with the lid raised, taking care around hot liquid and steam.
8. Remove the pot from the heat as the flow changes from dark to pale, rather than letting it sputter for too long. If leaving the coffee in the pot, carefully cool the lower chamber with cold water or a cool wet towel to stop extraction. Keep water away from the drink and avoid burns.

Bialetti is an established brand with more than a century of history, known for quality, functionality and design. Our coffee and accessories shop features three sizes of the Italian Bialetti Moka Express, suitable for gas and appropriate electric hobs. The sizes are expressed as the number of small espresso-style cups each pot produces: 2tz makes two, 3tz makes three and 6tz makes six.