Moka Pot Brew Guide
How to Brew with a Moka Pot
A Moka Pot is a metal stovetop brewer that creates a strong, espressostyle coffee, using steam pressure to push hot water through a basket of finely ground coffee. Invented in Italy and still widely used today, it’s known for being robust, affordable, and simple to use, delivering a cup with strong intensity and full-bodied character.
Watch our brew video and follow the step-by-step guide to get the most from your Moka Pot brewer.
Our Approach
Recipe: Coffee: fill the basket (fine) | Water: 10x the coffee amount
Equipment: Moka Pot | Acaia Scales | Feature Coffee Subscription
Step by Step Guide
Step 1
Prepare your setup. Gather all ingredients and equipment.
Step 2
Dissemble the Moka Pot into its three parts; bottom chamber, basket and top chamber. Whilst heating your brewing water to 97°C.
Step 3
Grind coffee to a medium-fine consistency (caster sugar texture), grinding enough to fill the basket, weighing the total added.
Step 4
Gently shake the basket to level the coffee and pat the coffee grounds gently with the back of a spoon, do not tamp.
Step 5
Fill the bottom chamber of the Moka Pot with the hot water, to just below the safety valve, using a 1:10 coffee-to-water ratio as a guide.
Step 6
Place the basket into the bottom chamber and screw the top chamber firmly on the base.
Step 7
Place the Moka Pot on the stove over medium-low heat and open the lid. Listen for a gentle gurgling as extraction begins.
Step 8
Once the top chamber is filling with a steady stream of coffee and the pot begins to hiss, close the lid and remove from heat.
Step 9
Rinse the base of the pot under cold water to stop extraction. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Why Brew Coffee with a Moka Pot?
The Moka Pot is renowned for its simplicity and durability. The steam pressure extraction produces a cup that is rich and full, but slightly smoother and less intense than true espresso. With fresh coffee, the right grind size and a controlled brew, you can achieve a clean, balanced cup without bitterness. It’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy a strong-tasting, more classic coffee cup profile.
Expert Tip
"One of the joys of brewing with a Moka Pot is how intuitive it becomes over time. Use gentle heat to allow the coffee to extract evenly, the sounds of the brew are your guide."
Freda Yuan, Director of Coffee
Brewing Tips
- If your coffee tastes over-extracted or bitter, try making your grind setting coarser; if it tastes weak or sour, try making your grind setting finer.
- Starting with hot water in the bottom chamber reduces the overall brew time and how long the coffee is exposed to the heat, making over-extraction less likely.
- Choosing freshly roasted coffee is key to getting the most from your Moka Pot. Medium to medium-dark roasts perform well, as this brew method showcases coffee with body and rich flavour notes like chocolate and nuts.
- When filling the basket with coffee, there is no need to tamp or pack down the grounds. Simply level gently to avoid over-extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bitterness is usually caused by over extraction. Try using a slightly coarser grind, reducing the heat or removing the brewer from the stove as soon as the coffee begins to sputter.
A medium-fine grind, similar in texture to caster sugar, works best for a Moka Pot. A grind that's too fine can slow the flow of water and create bitterness, while a grind that's too coarse may produce a weak, under-extracted cup. Small adjustments can make a noticeable difference, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find a balanced brew.
Starting with hot water shortens the brewing time and reduces how long the coffee is exposed to heat, helping preserve sweetness and clarity.
Medium to medium-dark roasted coffees with chocolate, caramel and nutty flavour notes tend to perform particularly well, although lighter roasts can produce a brighter, fruit-forward cup with careful, more precise brewing.
Allow the brewer to cool, then rinse each part thoroughly with warm water. Avoid detergents where possible and ensure every component is completely dry before storing.