All the talk last week about coffee had us craving espresso. So over the weekend, we re-discovered a very basic, filter-free way to enjoy espresso. It’s much quieter and actually less hands-on than a regular machine, and we think it makes a more velvety shot of espresso than our little plug-in.
Back to Basics: Stovetop Espresso
After three years of collective barista work, we thought we knew that the only way to make perfect espresso was to have a very powerful steam machine. Now we realize we were completely wrong.
This weekend, we dusted off our old stovetop espresso maker that hasn’t gotten much play since Christmas, when we were gifted the electric one. And we’re changing our ways and going back to the basics.
The macchinetta (Italian for “little machine”) or moka is a cast aluminum espresso maker that heats water up in the lower basin, pushes the steam up through the espresso grounds, and makes a velvety-rich espresso with a beautiful crema on top.
There’s no real trick to making this kind of espresso: there’s no tamping the grounds, no filters, no timing. The only thing to remember is to pull the machine off the heat right when it starts gurgling, so that the espresso does not boil.
It’s such a simple and efficient way to enjoy some espresso. As for steamed milk, there are also stovetop steaming pitchers.
As life seems to become more automated and less personal, we’ve become big proponents of slowing down and taking things back to the basics. From a dryer to a clothesline, from store-bought veggies to growing our own, from buying coffee at the corner chain store to making it at home.
And it seems as if all these shifts toward the “old” way of doing things have a green factor: toning down the products you use and buy will always be a great way to make a sustainable choice. What better start to the day?
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I love stove top coffee makers. If you don't like cooking with aluminum, there are stainless steel ones out there too. Besides being efficient, convenient, and making delicious coffee, they're also very beautiful!
view deidrel's profile
Actually the French press is the best way to make coffee (after cold brewing, that is.) See Ideal Bite: http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/un_cafe_sil_vous_plait . I don't know about espresso, though.
Full disclosure - I do own a moka pot. Because of our climate, though, I just cold-brew most of the year.
view whytephoenix's profile
Yep, whytephoenix--we love our French press for a good ole cuppa joe with some cream, sugar, and cinnamon... (ok, now I want some French press!) but sometimes there's the added pleasure of espresso that's just, well, different from French-pressed coffee.
And, pulling from the barista encyclopedia in the back of my brain...French press is so delicious because the coarsely-ground coffee steeps in the water longer than with any other type of hot brewing process. It really brings out the flavor of the beans and oils. An added green bonus: it's filter-free!
And deidrel, we think these are beautiful too! It's kind of sexy to have either the moka or the French press sitting out, don't you think? ;)
view amber77's profile
I love my macchinetta. And I agree about it being a gorgeous tool for the kitchen. French press is great too, but it's product is almost like a whole different animal.
view aftermath's profile
I have always wanted to buy a stovetop espresso maker... my countertop machine sees no action.
view staceyvee's profile
When we went to Berlin this winter, everyone used the stovetop espresso machines. We came back with one and love it. No more coffee filters, no plastic involved. It is simple and the cleanup is pretty easy. Just don't leave it set too long or it will get mold. About every six months I boil salt and white vinegar only through it. This get a lot of the hard water stains off of it.
view betabethany's profile
Yup, love the stovetop espresso. I just bought a little hand grinder for use with mine, so I can grind fresh... it is affixed to a small sealed container so the grinds can be stored.
view hughbert's profile
yup! i love my stovetop espresso pot. it makes beautiful coffee, and satisfies my daily iced espresso fix. i have a stainless steel ilsa brand pot i found thrifting (i totally lucked out). i also own a french press, but rarely use it since i'm kind of hooked on my espresso coffee. and yes, the french press makes great coffee, but it is different from the coffee you get from a stovetop espresso pot.
i think the other methods mentioned are good alternative as well, but they each make coffee with different characteristics. it depends on your personal taste what works for you.
view antoi's profile
could i microwave milk to mix with this espresso? i don't like the foam anyway and this would be a good way for me to get some calcium, in the form of a homemade latte instead of my morning coffee. how long does it take to brew?
view jln3681's profile