Why is there still a reason to use a mocha pot to make a cup of concentrated coffee in today’s convenient coffee extraction world?
Mocha pots have a long history and are almost an indispensable brewing tool for coffee lovers. On the one hand, its retro and highly recognizable octagonal design is just a cool ornament placed in one corner of the room. On the other hand, it is compact and convenient, making it the most common type of Italian coffee making.
However, for beginners, if the water temperature, grinding degree, and water to powder ratio are not well controlled, it is also easy to make coffee with unsatisfactory flavor. This time, we have created a detailed manual for operating a mocha pot, which includes operating steps, usage tips, and a simple and easy-to-use summer special recipe.
Get to know the Mocha pot
In 1933, the coffee mocha pot was invented by Italian Alfonso Bialetti. The emergence of the mocha pot has brought great convenience to Italians drinking coffee at home, allowing everyone to enjoy a rich and fragrant cup of espresso at home at any time. In Italy, almost every family has a mocha pot.
The pot is divided into two parts: the upper and lower. The lower seat is filled with water, which is heated at the bottom to reach its boiling point. The pressure of water vapor causes the water to pass through the central pipeline and be pressed up through the powder tank. After passing through the coffee powder, it becomes coffee liquid, which is then filtered through a filter and overflows from the metal pipe in the center of the upper seat. This completes the extraction process.
Making coffee with a mocha pot, watching the coffee liquid boil and bubble, sometimes even more interesting than drinking coffee. In addition to a sense of ceremony, mocha pots also have many irreplaceable advantages.
Using rubber gaskets for sealing can reach boiling point faster than ordinary filter pots, with less time consumption; Multiple heating methods such as open flames and electric stoves are convenient for household use; The design and size are diverse, and styles can be selected according to preferences and needs; More portable than a coffee machine, richer than a filter, more suitable for making milk coffee at home… If you like Italian coffee and enjoy the handmade process, a mocha pot is a great choice.
Purchasing Guide
*Regarding capacity: “cup capacity” generally refers to the shot quantity of espresso produced, which can be selected according to one’s actual usage.
*Regarding material: Most original mocha pots were made of aluminum, which is lightweight, fast in heat transfer, and can maintain the flavor of coffee; Nowadays, there are also more durable and slightly higher cost stainless steel materials produced, and there are relatively more heating methods available.
*Heating method: Commonly used are open flames, electric furnaces, and ceramic furnaces, and only a few can be used on induction cookers;
*The difference between single valve and double valve; The principle and operation method of single and double valve extraction are the same, the difference is that the double valve is a mocha pot that can extract coffee oil. The upper pot adds a pressure valve, which makes the taste of coffee extraction more rich; From a professional perspective, dual valves have higher pressure and concentration, and are also coffee pots that can extract oil. Overall, the oil extracted from a dual valve mocha pot is thicker than that from a single valve mocha pot.
Usage of Mocha Pot
① Pour boiling water into the bottom seat of the pot, ensuring that the water level does not exceed the height of the safety valve. (There is a line in the bottom of the Bieletti teapot, which is good as a benchmark.)
② Fill the powder tank with finely ground Italian coffee powder, use a spoon to level the coffee powder above the edge, and assemble the powder tank and upper and lower seats* Mocha pots do not require filter paper, and the resulting coffee has a rich and mellow taste. If you are not suitable, you can add filter paper to compare the taste, and then choose whether to use filter paper.
③ Heat at medium to high heat when the lid is open, and the coffee liquid will be extracted after boiling;
④ Turn off the fire when making a sound of spitting bubbles. Pour out the coffee and enjoy it, or mix creative coffee according to personal preferences.
This way, it will taste better
① Don’t choose deep roasted coffee beans
The water temperature during the heating and extraction process of a mocha pot is very high, so it is not recommended to use deeply roasted coffee beans, as boiling them will result in a more bitter taste. Relatively speaking, medium to light roasted coffee beans are more suitable for mocha pots, with a more layered taste.
② Coffee powder ground to medium fine
If you want more convenience, you can choose finished espresso coffee powder. If it is freshly ground, it is generally recommended to have a moderate to slightly finer texture
③ Do not use force to press when distributing powder
The cup shape of the mocha pot determines that its powder tank is prepared according to the water to powder ratio, so just fill it directly with coffee powder. Note that there is no need to press the coffee powder, just fill it up and gently smooth it out, so that the coffee powder is evenly spread and the flavor will be more complete without too many flaws.
④ Heating water is better
If cold water is added, the coffee powder will also receive heat when the electric stove heats up, which can easily lead to a burnt and bitter taste due to over extraction. Therefore, it is recommended to add hot water that has been heated in advance.
⑤ The temperature should be adjusted in a timely manner
Open the lid before heating, as we can adjust the temperature by observing the extraction state of the coffee. At the beginning, use medium to high heat (depending on water temperature and personal experience). When the coffee starts to flow out, adjust to low heat. When you hear a popping sound of bubbles and less liquid flowing out, you can turn off the heat and remove the pot body. The remaining pressure in the pot will extract the coffee completely.
⑥ Don’t be lazy, clean your coffee promptly after finishing it
After using the mocha espresso maker, it is important to clean each part in a timely manner. It is best to air dry each part separately before spinning them together. Otherwise, it is easy to leave old coffee stains in the filter, gasket, and powder tank, causing blockage and affecting extraction.
Post time: Jan-02-2024