We are fond of anything that makes coffee, provided that it is actually good coffee. Which is how we got into making stovetop espresso - not only can we make our own lattes, cappuccinos, and cafe au laits - but we can do all of this with a thirty dollar moka pot and whatever coffee we feel like brewing with.
Don't get me wrong, we love the idea of owning our own $2000 home espresso machine - a machine that can produce shot after shot of high quality espresso, but considering the price it's kind of a ridiculous idea.
Stovetop espresso makes drinking espresso at home no longer ridiculous.
We started out by getting a Bialetti Moka Pot which we ordered off the internet for about $30. When it came in the mail we were already excited to start brewing our own espresso. The instructions were simple, the device itself only had three parts and clean-up was exceptionally easy. You don't even have to run the Bialetti through the dishwasher, simply rinse it out and it is ready to brew more espresso. Side Note: actually, as the moka pot ages and seasons it brews even better espresso.
Our general consensus over at vvlgar is that you want about three heaping tablespoons of finely ground coffee to make a good 'six cup' brew. You simply add the coffee to the upper chamber, fill the bottom chamber to the Fill Line with water, screw the two compartments together and set it on the stove.
Remember to keep the heat at a medium to low setting, if the heat is too high it will heat too quickly and won't maximize the extraction. From our countless bouts of brewing with the Bialetti the lower the heat setting the better the final result - because the water brews through the espresso slower, granting it a better chance to extract every last nuance from the bean.
Once the Bialetti has been sitting on the burner for a minute or two you will hear a gurgling sound - that's the water boiling as it reaches the upper compartment, mixing with the espresso. As soon as it is finished gurgling that means the boil is over and the espresso is in the upper compartment waiting to be imbibed.
So turn off the heat, grab a cup (or perhaps a demitasse) and pour yourself a shot of espresso. It should taste absolutely delicious. Remember, you can play with the grind setting that you are using as well as the coffee to water ratio if you don't feel that it is producing as strong of espresso as you were hoping for.
The first couple of times we brewed stovetop espresso we weren't content with the final product, so we tweaked the coffee measurements a little bit and ended up with fantastic espresso.
Whenever you are making coffee at home, remember, experimentation is key to making the perfect drink.
 |
Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker List Price: Sale Price: $23.00  |
DescriptionAluminum, stovetop espresso maker produces 6 demitasse cups of rich, authentic Italian espresso in just 4-5 minutes. |
 |
Bialetti 6799 Moka Express 3-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker List Price: Sale Price: $22.99 |
DescriptionAluminum, stovetop espresso maker produces 3 demitasse cups of rich, authentic Italian espresso in just 4-5 minutes. |
 |
Cuisaid Xpress-O Stove-Top 6 Cup Espresso Maker List Price: Sale Price: $8.99 |
DescriptionWelcome to the world of Cuisaid® Xpress-O TM where functionality, durability, and style all meet on one platform. Finally an Affordable & Durable Stovetop Espresso Maker To Brew A Great Tasting espresso using the classic Italian brewing method, in your own kitchen for years to come! It's so easy! Just fill the base with water and the top funnel filter with your favorite ground coffee... |
 |
Bialetti Moka Express 12-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker List Price: Sale Price: $41.56 |
DescriptionAluminum, stovetop espresso maker produces 12 demitasse cups of rich, authentic Italian espresso in just 4-5 minutes. |
 |
Bialetti Moka Express 1-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker Sale Price: $21.99 |
DescriptionAdding eclectic character to the kitchen stovetop, this polished-aluminum coffee pot features a unique octagon shape that was first designed in Italy in 1933. The unit makes one 2-ounce espresso cup of coffee in just four to five minutes and is extremely simple to use... |
Related posts: