This stovetop moka express is used for making rich, authentic espresso. Made of aluminum, its distinctive 8-sided shape diffuses heat perfectly, releasing a wonderful aroma.

Bialetti is the world's most recognized coffee company - in fact, 90 percent of families in Italy own a Bialetti product. Its quality and authenticity have expanded from the original Moka Express to dozens of coffee makers used for producing flavorful Italian coffees.

To Use:
Pour water in the boiler. Insert the funnel-shaped metal filter into the base. Add finely ground coffee to the filter. Screw the upper section tightly on the base. Place the pot on a heat source until the water is brought close to boiling point creating steam in the boiler. A gasket ensures a tightly closed unit and allows for pressure to safely build up in the lower section, where a safety valve provides a necessary release in case this pressure should get too high (with clean filters, that should not happen).

The steam eventually reaches a high enough pressure to gradually force the surrounding boiling water up the funnel through the coffee powder and into the upper chamber where the coffee is collected. When the lower chamber is almost empty, steam bubbles mix with the upstreaming water, producing a characteristic gurgling noise.

As with percolators, the pot should not be left on the stove so long that the coffee boils. Ideally, with a little practice, it should be removed from the heat before it actually starts gurgling--usually, when only about half of the top chamber has been filled.