A Practical Moka Brewing Guide

A moka pot rewards control, but it does not require ceremony.

The basic method

1. Fill the lower chamber to just below the safety valve.
2. Fill the basket evenly with medium-fine coffee. Do not tamp.
3. Assemble the pot firmly and place it over moderate heat.
4. When coffee begins flowing, reduce the heat.
5. Remove the pot before the flow turns into aggressive sputtering.

What matters most

Grind, heat, and stopping point matter more than elaborate preparation rituals. A slightly coarser grind can reduce bitterness; a slightly finer grind can add body. Too much heat makes the brew harder to control.

A useful rule

Change only one thing between brews. Otherwise, you will not know what caused the improvement—or the problem.