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Guides and methods
How to make coffee in a moka pot (stovetop espresso maker) without it tasting burnt
The moka pot is in almost every home in Spain. And it is almost always used the same way: cold water, high heat, and waiting for it to roar. With three small changes, the same coffee tastes much better.
Step by step
Heat the water separately. Fill the base up to just below the valve, never above. This way the coffee spends less time on the heat and does not overcook.
Fill the basket with coffee ground for moka pots, level with the top. Level it with your finger without pressing, and wipe the rim.
Screw the pot together using a cloth: the base is hot. Close it firmly.
Put it on medium-low heat with the lid open. The coffee should come out slowly, like a thread of honey.
When the stream turns pale and starts to bubble, take it off the heat.
Cool the base for a few seconds under the tap. This stops the extraction, so the finish does not turn bitter. Stir the coffee in the pot and serve.
What grind does it need?
Finer than for filter and coarser than for espresso. If you buy ground coffee, ask for "ground for moka" ("molido para moka" in Spanish).
If you use an espresso grind, the water struggles to pass and the coffee turns bitter. If you use a coarse grind, it comes out watery.
Bitter or watery? Find the cause
Tap what you notice in the cup.
Choose an option to see the cause and what to try.
Likely cause
The heat is too high, or you left it on the stove until it started to roar.
Try this
- Start with water that is already hot.
- Medium-low heat, lid open.
- Take it off when the stream turns pale, then cool the base under cold water.
- If it is still bitter, ask for a slightly coarser grind.
Likely cause
Too little coffee in the basket, or a grind that is too coarse.
Try this
- Fill the basket level, with no gap.
- Use a grind for moka pots, not for filter or French press.
- Fill the water only up to just below the valve.
Likely cause
The water passes too fast and does not pull out all the flavour.
Try this
- Ask for a slightly finer grind, but not as fine as espresso.
- Start with hot water so the coffee does not half-cook.
Likely cause
The heat is too high, or the grind is coarse.
Try this
- Turn the heat down: the coffee should come out like a thread of honey.
- Use a grind for moka pots.
Likely cause
The coffee is packed down, the grind is too fine, or the filter is blocked.
Try this
- Never tamp the coffee: just level it.
- Avoid an espresso grind in a moka pot.
- Clean the filter and the plate with hot water.
Safety: if nothing comes out, turn off the heat and let it cool down before you open it.
Likely cause
Coffee grounds on the rim, the thread is not fully closed, or the rubber seal is worn.
Try this
- Wipe the rim of the basket before you close it.
- Screw it on firmly, using a cloth.
- Replace the seal if it is hard or cracked.
Five mistakes that spoil the coffee
- Pressing the coffee down in the basket.
- Filling the base above the valve.
- High heat to finish sooner.
- Leaving it on the heat until it "roars".
- Reheating the coffee that is left.
Does it work on an induction hob?
Only if the base is made of induction-compatible steel. Aluminium pots need an induction adapter.
Cleaning and care
- Rinse it with hot water after each use.
- If it is aluminium, wash it by hand and not in the dishwasher.
- Dry it in parts and store it open.
- Replace the rubber seal when it gets hard or cracked.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Another question? Write to us →01How much coffee goes in a moka pot?
The basket sets the amount: fill it level, without pressing. Every size of pot has its own basket.
02Do you tamp the coffee in a moka pot?
No. You only level it. If you press it, the water struggles to pass and the coffee turns bitter.
03Why does my moka pot coffee taste burnt?
Almost always because of high heat or leaving it on the stove until the end. Take it off earlier and cool the base under cold water.
04What grind does a moka pot need?
A medium-fine grind: finer than for filter and coarser than for espresso. Ask for "ground for moka".
05Does a moka pot make espresso?
No. It works at much lower pressure than an espresso machine. It gives an intense coffee, but a different one.