'Splain Moka to me

[Chik]

Edumacate me, please.

I would like to get consistency in flavour but can't seem to manage. Sometimes it's a bit bitter. Other times, very bitter. On occasion, it's free of bitterness.

Hardware: Alessi Pulcinea (3 servings). It's made of Al alloy of some sort.

The amount of coffee is practically consistent, that is, I fill the thing to a bit above the top and run my finger over the top to get rid of the excess, without pressing it down.

I have tried the following methods but have not been able to achieve consistency with each method using the same batch of coffee.

1) room temperature water, on the stove at medium heat, take off the stove when the rising coffee becomes aerated, pour.

2) pre-boiled water, on the stove at medium heat, take off stove when the rising coffee becomes aerated, pour.

3) pre-boiled water, on the stove at medium heat, take off the stove when the rising coffee becomes aerated, cool pot bottom under running cold water, pour.

I rinse the various bits of the pot with water without detergent. The top half gets a rub with a finger to get rid of brown bits sticking to the surface.

I'm not a coffee person (I prefer tea), but when I do have coffee, I'd like it to turn out reasonably well without the whole thing turning into some ordeal or having to grow a beard.

So, I'm all ears. Thanks!

(If you are tempted to suggest Nespresso, you should go back to stroking your mass-produced-in-China bike.)

[rwsaunders]

Chik...my only offering is that I never fill the basket to the brim with coffee...perhaps 2/3 full. Never compacted and a grind just North of espresso...I wish that I could offer more advice.

The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Moka Pot Coffee



– JavaPresse Coffee Company

[thollandpe]

Chik, my recommendation is the same as Mr. Bob's, less coffee.

My Bialetti Moka Express is theoretically twice the size as yours, and I use about 3 tbsp in it. Cold tap water.

Also water rinse the pot, but wipe out the oil residue with fingers (why waste it?) and then a dry cloth.

PS Lately been supplementing the coffee load with a pinch (<1 tsp) ground Chaga, anybody else shrooming the morning?

[ldamelio]

Cold water up to just below valve, but do not cover it.
Coffee grind a little coarser than espresso but finer than French press
Fill basket with coffee, tap lightly so it settles and then again top off the basket with coffee, level it with a knife. Don't compress.
Flame covers surface area of pot bottom but doesn't come up sides.
Take off heat and pour immediately after the sputtering stops.

This has worked well for me. Definitely some trial and error.

[Too Tall]

Ditto. Less coffee. For giggles weigh your grounds a few times until you get it right.

[Chik]

Thanks, all. I'll have a read through the linked site and try using less coffee.

[Chik]

Less coffee is improving outcome. Tried a few different amounts and think I found what suits me.

Thanks again.