We all know that a Moka pot can brew delicious coffee, but we don’t know whether it counts as espresso. If not, what is the difference between the two types of coffee? Today Front Street will compare the similarities and differences between the two.
The Moka pot can produce such delicious espresso, so let's take a look at the structure of the Moka pot. The Moka pot is divided into three parts: the upper pot, the powder trough, and the lower seat. The lower pot is a sink that holds water, the powder trough is used to hold finer ground coffee powder, and the upper pot is used to hold the extracted coffee liquid. The principle of coffee extraction in a Moka pot is very simple. It uses the steam pressure generated in the lower pot. When the steam pressure is large enough to penetrate the coffee powder, it will push the hot water to the upper pot and brew rich coffee.
Through the following pictures of FrontStreet Coffee, you can actually see it at a glance, clearly showing its internal structure and coffee extraction principle.
Moka pots are also divided into single-valve and double-valve ones. Double-valve Moka pots can produce more coffee creme than single-valve ones. The single valve means that the coffee liquid flows out directly from the two small holes at the top of the hollow conduit of the Moka pot. Double valve refers to adding a pressure accumulating valve on the basis of a hollow conduit. This pressure accumulating valve usually blocks the small hole of the hollow conduit for the coffee liquid to exit. A certain steam pressure is required to flush it upward and allow the coffee liquid to spray out. The coffee flavor brewed by single valve and double valve is also different. The single valve Moka pot has a lower concentration of coffee and lower oil; while the concentration of double valve coffee will be higher and the oil will be higher.
The Moka pot is heated directly over the fire and uses steam pressure to extract. This is often called a direct-fire espresso pot. The Moka pot has attracted many people because of its beautiful and exquisite appearance. It can brew coffee that is rich enough. The coffee made by the Moka pot still has the concentration and flavor of Italian coffee Espresso.
The production of espresso requires a special coffee machine, which is the espresso machine we see in coffee shops that can spray steam. The extraction principle of an espresso machine is to generate steam by heating water in a boiler. Using the pressure of steam, hot water at 94 degrees Celsius is quickly passed through extremely finely ground coffee powder at a pressure of 9-10 bar, and a coffee liquid as thick as honey is extracted.
The coffee liquid will appear brown-red in the early stages of extraction, with a concentrated and smooth texture. As the extraction time increases, the coffee liquid will turn golden yellow and then light golden yellow. Since the pressure is much higher than that of a Moka pot, the concentration of coffee extracted is higher, and the taste of American coffee and latte is richer.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Moka Pot
The principle of coffee extraction in a Moka pot is very simple. It uses the steam pressure generated in the lower pot. When the steam pressure is large enough to penetrate the coffee powder, it will push the hot water to the upper pot. The coffee extracted with a moka pot has a strong taste, sour and bitter taste, and has oil. Therefore, the biggest advantage of the Moka pot is that it is small, convenient and easy to carry. It is a must-have for people who like to go to the mountains and sea. It is durable and can brew good quality coffee. It is simple to operate and ordinary people can master the skills of making coffee. And it’s easy to brew fragrant coffee with golden brown fat.
But its shortcomings are also very obvious, that is, the coffee made with a Moka pot has a low upper limit of flavor, that is, it is not as clear and bright as Pour over(V60) coffee, nor is it as rich and delicate as that made by an espresso machine. Therefore, there are almost no Moka pots in specialty coffee shops, but as a home coffee appliance, it is a very easy-to-use product.
How Moka Pot Extracts Coffee
Moka pot extraction of coffee uses the steam pressure generated in the lower pot (pressure of about 1.5-3.0 atmospheres). When the steam pressure is strong enough to penetrate the coffee grounds, it will push the hot water to the upper pot. As the hot water flows to the upper pot, it passes through the coffee powder in the filter, extracting the essence of the coffee very quickly. The extracted coffee essence has a strong taste, both sour and bitter, and is the coffee appliance closest to espresso.
What tools do you need to make a cup of espresso with a moka pot?
1. Moka pot 2. Gas stove and stove rack or "induction cooker" 3. Coffee beans 4. Bean grinder
[Front Street Premium Blend 100% Arabica Coffee Beans]
Blending: Brazil + Colombia
Composition ratio: 7:3
Roast Level: Medium Dark Roast
Flavor description: chocolate, cream, nuts, butter, caramel
【Brew method】
(1) First put the lower seat into cold water.
(2) Put the coffee powder into the powder trough until it is about 90% full, and tap the edge gently to make the coffee powder dense and smooth.
(3) Tighten the upper and lower seats to prevent coffee liquid from spilling during the process.
(4) Place the Moka pot on a small gas vaporizer or induction cooker and heat it over medium heat at first. When you hear a hissing sound, turn the heat to low and the coffee will naturally flow out slowly.
(5) When the sound turns to a slight popping sound, you can turn off the heat to avoid over-extraction. Fragrant coffee is ready.
[Attention small reminder]
(1) The Moka pot is an Italian coffee brewing method, so the concentration is relatively high, and it is usually paired with milk foam or fresh milk.
(2) It is suitable to use finely ground coffee powder, and the brewing effect will be better!
(3) Please avoid empty-burning the Moka pot to avoid damaging the structure of the pot.
(4) Used Moka pots must be cleaned to prevent fine residue from affecting the filter holes and rubber structure.
(5) Never make a pot of coffee to taste a brand new Moka pot right away. It is best to boil water twice before starting to use it to make coffee!
Now it’s time to enjoy some delicious coffee.
The most basic way to drink it is Americano with water. Sugar-free and dairy-free coffee is perfect as a reduced-fat coffee.
Of course, fresh milk can be added directly, and the taste will be the taste of latte in a coffee shop. If you want to add fresh milk, you need to heat the milk to about 60 to 65 degrees, which will create a perfect fusion of milk and coffee. In this way, a perfect cup of latte coffee is ready.
Of course, adding some ice cubes and condensed milk to imitate Vietnamese coffee is not a problem. Mix the espresso liquid into the condensed milk and add ice. In winter, add condensed milk directly and add an appropriate amount of boiling water according to the thickness.
Front Street believes that everyone’s taste is different, and you can add more according to personal preference. Of course, you can also try other flavors, such as Front Street Black Cocoa Blend (100% Arabica), Front Street Boutique Blend 100% Arabica, and Front Street Commercial Blend. These can all be used to make espresso, and they have different flavors. The more you try, the more fun your coffee will bring you.
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
