The Art of Making Coffee the Italian Way
We can dream that in a few months we'll be able to go on our summer holidays again soon...
That's another matter altogether, however let's bring the classic Italian way of making coffee under the spotlight. Perhaps we can dream of sitting next to Lake Garda whilst enjoying a brew.
First up. Moka-Pot. Also known as Espresso maker or Stovetop percolator.
The classic of Italian way of coffee. A ritual if you like, first thing in the morning, first thing after a meal, even the first thing after an evening dinner...
Patented in 1933 and made famous by Alfonso Bialetti, the moka pot has three main components: the bottom chamber or the boiler, which is filled with water; the funnel cup, which sits snugly on top of the bottom chamber and which holds the coffee grounds; and finally, the top chamber, which is where the coffee is drawn as the boiling water in the boiler is forced through the filter holding the coffee grounds.
Moka pots come in all sizes (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 cup). Take note, this refers to espresso cup sizes, not measuring cups. The 1 cup moka pot produces 60 milliliters or 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of espresso.
Whatever you end up using, do not fill it all the way to the top. Stop when you reach the level of the small valve of the boiler. Too much will result in watery espresso.
1) Always use fresh water. Italians are known for using bottled water, particularly in hard water areas.
2) Use a medium ground coffee. Here at RBCC this would be classed as the Filter Grind. Remember it's always best to buy whole beans and grind at home right before using them. This keeps the coffee fresh as possible.
3) Use a gentle heat over your hob. This stops the coffee from burning. When you hear the distinctive gurgle, pop open the lid and check the coffee is coming through ok. Turn off the heat. Stir well to ensure the espresso is uniformly distributed.
4) Pop in your favourite espresso cup. Add sugar if required. Enjoy!
The espresso way of coffee preparation is probably our favourite way to brew coffee. Be it espresso machine, moka-pot or bean to cup.
What's your morning ritual?
Let us know in the comments below!
