Moka pot (stovetop)

An Italian stovetop coffee maker — a three-chamber aluminium or stainless pot that uses steam pressure (from water heated below) to push hot water up through a bed of fine coffee and into a serving chamber on top. Invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933.

Why it matters — The moka pot makes strong, concentrated coffee that's closer to espresso than filter — though without the crema or full pressure of a true espresso machine. Iconic in Italy, with most households owning at least one.

Good to know

• Use a grind between filter and espresso — too fine and the moka pot can over-pressurise; too coarse and the coffee runs weak.
• Take it off the heat as soon as you hear the characteristic sputter — the last burst of steam is what burns the coffee.

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