Coffee makers

Moka Pot (also known as: Italian Coffee Maker)

Traditional, historic, and excellent on every occasion. For nearly a century, the Moka pot has been one of the trademarks of Made in Italy. A symbol of a culinary art that has made its way around the world, particularly due to its quality, durability, and timeless style that meets all demands and pleasures.

It appears in many films, as either a protagonist or observer in scenes of rare intensity, mentioned in countless books, songs, treatises, or simple social media posts. Over the years since its ingenious conception, the Moka pot has become one of the few kitchen accessories present in every Italian household, and who knows, maybe even around the world.

Since its creation in 1933, thanks to Alfonso Bialetti’s brilliant idea (owner and founder of the Italian brand of the same name), more than 100 million units have been sold—almost twice the entire population of Italy. In Spain and Portugal, it is known as the "napolitana," associating it with the great city born in the shadow of Vesuvius, or "cafeteira de fuego." And if you stroll down 53rd Avenue in New York and decide to visit the famous Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), you might come across one of the renowned Italian coffee makers on display in the permanent collection.

From Yemen to the Genius of Alfonso Bialetti

The Moka pot takes its name from a city in the Middle East, specifically Yemen, which was one of the earliest and most renowned coffee trading centers, especially known for its Arabica variety.

Although there is evidence of its existence in the works of the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire in the 18th century, it took another two centuries and the idea of an Italian entrepreneur to create the first true Moka pot. It is said that Alfonso Bialetti was inspired by one of the simplest daily tasks he performed in his own home: doing laundry.

In fact, Bialetti was inspired by watching his wife operate their old washing machine called a "lisciveuse"; it had a sort of boiler (where clothes, water, and detergent were placed) with a tube whose upper end was perforated. When the water boiled, it rose through the tube, cooled, and fell back down, dissolving the detergent which could be better distributed on the clothes.

The procedure for preparing coffee with a Moka pot is very similar: After filling the water reservoir up to the safety valve, insert the filter filled with ground coffee (you’ll find a wide variety on our e-shop). The top part of the coffee maker also has a filter in its lower part, screwed onto the base. It is the pressure caused by the increasing temperature of the water on the stove that creates the rich and intense beverage we enjoy each day.

An Assortment Embracing a Nation

"With the Bialetti Moka, the pleasure of coffee becomes a daily ritual."

If Moka coffee is a faith, then Bialetti has been its first prophet. Today, however, its followers have multiplied, and its legacy is passed down from generation to generation with increasingly modern and technological coffee makers, capable of blending indissoluble tradition with the advent of new techniques and means that make coffee preparation a true pleasure.

Today, there are many versions of the Moka pot, from one-person preparations to satisfying the caffeine cravings of an entire family or a large group of friends. On our online store, you will find Moka pots for every occasion, from three to six cups of coffee. In addition to the classic design, the new Venus series is available with a more appealing and modern line. They can be used on various heat sources, including induction.

There’s Bialetti, but also Alessi, which offers an extravagant and unique version with its Pulcina coffee maker, created by designer Michele De Lucchi. It harmoniously combines functionality with distinctive design. For fans of a more traditional look, there’s the Moka designed by David Chipperfield.

On our online store, you’ll find everything you need for maintaining your coffee maker, with spare parts ranging from filters to gaskets for every version and type of appliance.

French Press: Coffee the Transalpine Way

"We are faced with the most underrated coffee preparation method."

This is what James Hoffmann writes in his book *The World Atlas of Coffee*.

As early as 1852, two Frenchmen, Mayer and Deforge, patented the first French press, while in 1929, Italian Attilio Calimani invented an improved and more precise version. That’s why it’s known as the "French Press"; this coffee preparation method is contested between Italy and France. Here too, as with the Bialetti Moka pot, the history is quite singular.

According to a popular legend, the idea came to a Frenchman who, upon boiling water, realized he had forgotten to add coffee grounds. Once the coffee was added, he noticed the grounds had settled on the surface, and to salvage the only portion of coffee he had, he decided to use a metal plate and a stick to recover the essence and create a drink. He expected it to taste terrible, but instead, he found it to be the best coffee he had ever tasted.

As is often the case, the best ideas come at the least expected moments.

An Ancestral Secret

Again, the secret is the right degree of grind: the ideal is to use medium-sized, consistent coffee ground uniformly. If the filter is clogged or the coffee is cloudy, it means the coffee was ground too finely.

On our online store, you’ll find French presses of various types, designed to meet the coffee needs of 6 to 8 people with a rich and light aroma. So while you prepare a good coffee, you might feel like an actor for the day, stepping into a scene from the famous 1965 film *Ipcress* with a charming and charismatic Michael Caine. This film indeed made the French press popular due to the scenes where it is used by the protagonist.

In short, whether you prefer the Italian Moka or its French counterpart, the French press, the one thing that should never be missing is good coffee to start the day right and at the best pace.

Let your desires guide you or be surprised by new flavors and blends created specifically to delight your senses.

Coffee is universal, just like the tools needed to prepare it: born from the genius of a few men, they are now fundamental to everyone's daily life. Because the day starts with a great breakfast.

For more information about our coffee makers, send us an email at info@espresso-international.co.uk