A good Italian coffee with Moka pot? Few, easy steps to follow!

I- Fill the espresso pot with cold water up to the relief valve on the side and don't let the water surface touch the pressure valve (the little button looking thing). 

The water should not seep through the strainer when you insert it. This will waterlog the coffee and possibly affect the flavor.

2-Insert the strainer assembly into the base.

3- Fill the strainer with espresso. Ensure that you do not get any grounds on the outside rim of the container because there must be a perfect seal,  otherwise water will spew out once it begins to boil. Simply wipe with a finger any excess grounds off before assembling the pot.

Warning: Do not press the espresso down into the strainer ! This could possibly clog the system and generate too much pressure.

4- Assemble the Pot

Now you need to screw the top part on. Once again, ensure that no grounds are on the outside rim. Screw the pot onto the base by holding the pot itself, not the handle. Screw it on just pretty tight, but you really don't have to twist as hard as you can,  only just enough for it stays on well and won't leak .

5 -Place Coffee Pot Over Heat

Place the pot over a low flame, the flame should not be pass the bottom of the base: a low flame increases the brew time, which enhances the flavor.

 Low flame, do not let it going beyond the bottom of the base.

6- After a little while you will start hearing a little "noise" which is the water boiling and distilling through the coffee grinds and up to the top. You shouldn't have your lid open when coffee starts comming up because the coffee can squirt from there, and it's hot. So be careful.

When the noise get louder you can turn off the flame of the stove.

Now your espresso is ready!

7-(A secret that only people of Naples know). Turn the coffee with the spoon into the coffee maker before pouring it into the cups:

the strongest coffee is the first to come up, lastly rises the light coffee; mixing the coffee inside the moka the liquid becomes homogeneous.   

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Washing up Moka Coffee:

 We do not have a dishwasher, but also if we had you'll need always to wash it up by hands, you're gonna use only water and your hands.

1. Open your pot
2. Throw away your used coffee grinds ( blowing up on the bottom of the filter, do not slam the coffee filter to get the coffe powder out or the filter could dent)
3. Wash the filter part under running water
4. Do the same to other parts too
5. Dry

Do not use dishwashing soap!!!!!!  The soap changes the taste of coffee and it might eats away the pot!

Now you know ( almost ) everything about how to make a good Italian coffee!!!

J