James Hoffmann Explores the Bialetti Moka Express: History and Brewing Guide

James Hoffmann, a coffee authority and the author of The World Atlas of Coffee, shares a video that delves into the origins and proper usage of the Bialetti Moka Express. This coffee maker was developed by Luigi de Ponti around 1933 while working for the Bialetti company, established by Alfonso Bialetti in 1919 as an aluminum manufacturer. The design drew inspiration from a washing machine used by Alfonso's wife, which employed fire and a tube to circulate vaporized soapy water. The Moka Express became the first all-in-one stovetop coffee maker, signaling completion with a gurgling sound. In 1945, Renato Bialetti took over the company after returning from a POW camp, promoting the Moka Express into a global brand and commissioning cartoonist Paul Campani to create its iconic mustachioed logo. Renato passed away in 2016, with his ashes placed in a large replica pot. Hoffmann also highlights common brewing errors and characterizes Moka Express coffee as a blend between espresso and pour-over. An earlier version of this article was published on Open Culture in 2022.