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Moka Pot

摩卡壶

Brewing Methods

Definition

A stovetop brewer that uses steam pressure to force hot water up through a bed of ground coffee, producing a strong, syrupy drink at roughly 1 to 2 bars, far below espresso's 9 bars but stronger than any gravity-fed method. It is built in three stacked parts: a water chamber, a funnel basket for the grounds, and an upper collecting jug.

Etymology

Patented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, whose octagonal aluminum Moka Express became a fixture of Italian kitchens. The name nods to Mocha, the Yemeni port on coffee's early trade route, not to the chocolate drink.

In use

It is the everyday Italian home brewer, so putting the moka on is shorthand for making coffee at home.