Going Old School with the Moka Pot
We all have our favorite ways to brew coffee. I make pourovers at home every morning. Once in a while, I’ll add an AeroPress into the rotation. That and hand-pressed espresso to make cortados, and that’s the extent of how I make coffee at home. However, I have made coffee with my moka pot several times over the past month. I have to admit; I really love it.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of when the moka pot was invented. When using the moka pot, there are usually two distinct camps: those who swear by it and those who swear at it. You’re either hot or cold about it, with very little middle ground.
Several weeks ago, I packed the moka pot on a trip to Mountain Bike Oregon in Oakridge. It was one of 4-5 other brew methods I packed for the trip. The plan was to brew coffee in Nacho the Van, take photos, and write a series of articles like this about brew methods. The setting was perfect. With the sun beaming in through the window, I made coffee with the moka pot and took a lot of photos. Unfortunately, I discovered later that day I had forgotten to put the memory card in my camera. Those pristine shots were gone. But I still enjoyed an exquisite cup of coffee.
Dialing in brewing coffee with the moka pot takes a while. That means experimenting with the grind size of your coffee more than anything. Regardless of the coffee you use, it makes for a full-bodied cup. While pourovers and an AeroPress make fantastic cups of coffee, you immediately notice the difference when you make a cup of coffee with the moka pot. It’s as if the flavor profile of a coffee comes alive. A coffee description may point out flavor notes such as citrus, stonefruit, chocolate, or nuts; they are more noticeable with a moka pot.
A few weeks ago, I used Nacho again for photos. This time it was to take photos for the release of Trail Builder Magazine. I also decided to bring my moka pot to try again to get photos. While the sunshine and setting weren’t as sublime, I did snap some pics … with my memory card this time.
I’d recommend getting one if you don’t have a moka pot. They are inexpensive to pick up. I always see ones for $5 at the thrift store (just make sure the rubber seal is in good shape). It’s a fun way to enjoy your coffee.