- Moka Express
Infobox Information appliance
name = Moka Express
caption =
manufacturer =Bialetti
type =
releasedate = 1933
lifespan =
unitssold =
storage =
dimensions =
weight =
predecessor =
successor =
related =The Moka pot (or Espresso pot, or Moka Express), is a stovetop
espresso maker, based on the principle of preparing coffee with pressurized boiling water. On their English language website Bialetti refers to their product as a coffee maker, not an espresso maker. [ cite web|url=http://www.bialetti.com/BialettiUSA.htm |title=BialettiUSA homepage->COFEE MAKERS->MOKA EXPRESS|accessdate=2008-09-28 |format=htm |publisher=Bialetti |language=English ] As the beverage produced by a Moka pot is not the same as coffee or espresso the terms moka or stovetop espresso is often used to refer to it. It was invented byAlfonso Bialetti in1933 and while there are currently many manufacturers, his companyBialetti continues to market the leading model, known by thebrand name "Moka Express". The original design was made fromaluminium withbakelite handles.In
Italy , where Bialetti is based, the moka pot is in almost every home; elsewhere, it is known as an iconic design, displayed in modern industrial art museums, such as the Science Museum inLondon . Mokas come in different sizes, from one to eighteen coffee cups. [ cite web|url=http://www.bialetti.it/files/catalogue/attachments/moka%20italia.pdf |title=Moka Express factsheet |accessdate=2008-02-19 |format=PDF |publisher=Bialetti |language=Italian ]Brewing coffee with a Moka Express
Water is poured in the boiler (marked A in the diagram) and the
funnel -shaped metal filter (B) is inserted. Finely groundcoffee is added to the filter as shown below. The upper part (which has a second metal filter at the bottom) is tightly screwed on the base. By placing the pot on aheat source, the water is brought close toboiling point creatingsteam in the boiler. A gasket ensures a tightly closed unit and allows for pressure to safely build up in the lower section, where asafety valve provides a necessary release in case this pressure would get too high (with clean filters, that should not happen).The steam eventually reaches a high enough
pressure to gradually force the surrounding boiling water up the funnel through the coffee powder and into the upper chamber (C), where the coffee is collected. When the lower chamber is almost empty, steam bubbles mix with the upstreaming water, producing a characteristic gurgling noise.As with percolators, the pot should not be left on the stove so long that the coffee boils. Ideally, with a little practice, it should be removed from the heat "before" it actually starts gurgling--usually, when only about half of the top chamber has been filled.
Moka coffee vs. drip coffee
The coffee produced by a moka pot is a form of
espresso known as stovetop espresso. [ [http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/moka/ Brewing espresso in a Moka] ] The flavor of moka pot espresso depends greatly on bean variety, roast level, fineness of grounds, and the level of stovetop heat used. Due to the higher pressures involved, the mixture of water and steam reaches temperatures well above 100°C, causing a more efficient extraction ofcaffeine and flavours from the grounds, and resulting in a much stronger brew when compared to that obtained by drip brewing. However, since a typical moka cup is about 30ml, the actual amount of caffeine per serving is smaller.Maintenance
Moka pots require periodic replacement of the rubber seal and the filters and a check that the safety release valve is not blocked.
After use, a coat of greasy coffee residues is left lining the interior of the stems, filters and upper chamber. This thin layer protects the coffee from contact with the aluminum wall, which might otherwise give a slight metallic taste to the coffee.fact|date=May 2008
Variations
Moka pots are normally made of
aluminium for use over an open flame or on an electric range. However, Bialetti now makes several electric moka pots and several stainless steel stovetop espresso machines of a somewhat different design.Brikka
Brikka is an improved Moka pot by
Bialetti . It incorporates a weight on top of the nozzle that causes pressure to build up inside the water tank in a manner similar to old stylepressure cooker s. It is designed to give acrema foam similar to that of anespresso machine, although it should be noted that the crema delivered by the Brikka is different and thinner. Also the taste differs from both the Moka Express and espresso. The brew is generally considered to be more enjoyable than the Moka Express'.Mukka Express
Mukka Express is a recently-introduced Moka pot by
Bialetti . It has a special valve that froths milk while the coffee is being made. The result is a coffee drink similar to alatte , though the Mukka Express product is weaker than the version of the drink often made in cafés. The name, 'Mukka', is a pun on the Italian for cow, 'mucca', and moka.Other brands
Alessi is another Italian manufacturer of Kitchen wares that is known for their Moka pots.
Bodum has added a 'Stove Top Espresso Maker' to their Chambord line of kitchenwares. There are many makers of generic moka pots based on the original Bialetti design.ee also
*
Coffee percolator
*Espresso Notes
References
* cite book
last = Rombauer
first = Irma S.
coauthors = Marion Rombauer Becker; Ethan Becker
title =Joy of Cooking
publisher =Scribner
month = August
year = 1997
isbn = 0-684-81870-1
pages = 28-29External links
* [http://www.bialetti.com/ Bialetti web site]
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