Bialetti – Italian coffee history since 1919
Bialetti is an Italian brand, best known for the iconic Moka Express – the octagonal mocha pot that has made stovetop-brewed coffee a staple of coffee culture in many homes.
The story began in 1919, when Alfonso Bialetti opened a workshop in Crusinallo in Northern Italy focusing on aluminum. In 1933, the Moka Express was launched, and the simple coffee brewer made it possible to brew an intense and concentrated coffee directly on the stovetop.
The Moka Express remains the model most associated with Bialetti today.
If you want to see the different models, you can find them among our espresso pots and mocha pots.
Who founded Bialetti?
Bialetti was founded by Alfonso Bialetti.
He had experience with aluminum and, in 1919, opened a workshop in Crusinallo, which later developed into the production of finished products.
The defining moment in the company's history came in 1933 with the development of the Moka Express.
The new coffee brewer combined aluminum with a simple construction that could be used directly on the stovetop, making it easier to brew a concentrated style of coffee at home.
When was the Bialetti Moka Express invented?
The Bialetti Moka Express was launched in 1933.
The construction basically consists of three parts:
- A bottom container for water
- A filter funnel for the ground coffee
- A top container where the finished coffee collects
When the water is heated, pressure builds up in the bottom container. The water moves up through the ground coffee, and the finished coffee ends up in the upper part of the pot.
The basic principle is simple, which is a major part of the explanation for why the mocha pot remains popular many years after its introduction.
Does a Bialetti Moka Express make real espresso?
In Denmark, a mocha pot is often called an espresso pot, but it does not technically make espresso.
Traditional espresso is brewed on an espresso machine at a significantly higher pressure.
A Bialetti Moka Express instead uses the pressure created when water is heated in the bottom container.
The result is a concentrated and rich mocha coffee, which is typically stronger than regular filter coffee, but is not the same as espresso from an espresso machine.
However, the terms mocha pot, mokka pot, and espresso pot are often used for the same type of coffee brewer.
If you want to learn the brewing method itself, you can follow our guide to better coffee with a mocha pot and espresso pot.
Bialetti Moka Express – the classic mocha pot
The Moka Express is Bialetti’s classic model and is known especially for its characteristic octagonal shape.
The traditional Moka Express is made of aluminum and is available in various sizes.
One of the advantages of the construction is its simplicity. You don’t need electricity, capsules, or advanced electronics in the brewer itself.
Basically, you need:
- Water
- Ground coffee
- A compatible heat source
- A Moka Express
At Brændeholm Risteri, you can find, among other things, the Bialetti Moka Express 3-cup.
Can the Bialetti Moka Express be used on induction?
The traditional Moka Express is made of aluminum and therefore does not generally work directly on a standard induction stovetop.
If you have induction, you have several options.
You can choose a Bialetti model specifically designed for induction, or in some cases, use a suitable induction adapter with a traditional mocha pot.
It is important to always check the specifications for the specific model and size, as compatibility can vary.
Bialetti Venus – mocha pot for induction
Bialetti Venus is an alternative to the classic Moka Express and is made of stainless steel.
Several Venus sizes are intended for use on induction, which makes the model interesting for modern kitchens with induction stoves.
The design is different from the classic octagonal Moka Express. The Venus has a more rounded and modern look but is still based on the same basic mocha pot principle.
You can, for example, see the Bialetti Venus 6-cup in stainless steel.
If you have induction, you should always check that the specific size is compatible with your stovetop.
Bialetti Moka Induction
Bialetti has also developed the Moka Induction series for coffee drinkers who want a look closer to the traditional Moka, but also need induction compatibility.
The models combine materials so the base can work on induction, while the brewer still features clear design elements from the classic Bialetti mocha pot.
You can find the Bialetti Moka Induction along with our other Bialetti espresso pots and mocha pots.
Which Bialetti size should I choose?
Bialetti usually indicates the size of its mocha pots in cups.
It is important to be aware that one Bialetti cup does not correspond to a regular Danish coffee mug.
These are small portions of concentrated mocha coffee.
If you normally drink your coffee from a larger mug, you should not necessarily choose a 1-cup model just because you are brewing for one person.
Instead, consider how much finished coffee you actually want to brew.
The capacity varies between models and sizes, so always check the specific product page before purchasing.
Which coffee beans are suitable for Bialetti?
There is no specific type of coffee bean that must be used in a mocha pot.
The choice depends on the flavor you prefer.
Medium and darker roasted coffee beans can be a good place to start if you want a classic, rich, and intense cup.
A lighter roast can also be used if you want more fruitiness and clearer origin character.
The most important thing is to combine the coffee with an appropriate grind size and a good brewing technique.
You can explore our freshly roasted coffee beans.
What grind size should I use for Bialetti?
Coffee for a mocha pot is typically ground finer than coffee for regular filter brewing, but not necessarily as fine as for traditional espresso.
If the coffee is ground very finely, it may be harder for the water to move through the coffee bed.
Conversely, if the coffee is very coarsely ground, the result can be thin and under-extracted.
Therefore, use the grind size as a variable that you can adjust according to taste.
If you have your own coffee grinder, you can change the setting a little at a time and find the grind size that works best for your coffee beans and your mocha pot.
Should the coffee be tamped in a Bialetti?
No.
The ground coffee should be filled into the filter funnel, but it should not be tamped like espresso in a portafilter.
Fill the filter evenly and avoid pressing the coffee down hard.
A mocha pot works with much lower pressure than a traditional espresso machine, and the brewing method is constructed differently.
It is therefore important not to simply transfer techniques from espresso directly to a Bialetti.
How do you clean a Bialetti?
The cleaning method depends on the model and material, among other things.
After brewing, the pot should first cool down before being disassembled.
Remove the coffee grounds and clean the parts that have been in contact with coffee and water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Pay particular attention to:
- The filter
- The gasket
- The safety valve
- The funnel
- The interior parts of the pot
The safety valve must function freely and must not be blocked by coffee or limescale.
Always follow Bialetti’s instructions for the specific model, as the cleaning of aluminum and stainless steel does not necessarily have to be handled in exactly the same way.
Bialetti makes more than mocha pots
Although the Moka Express is Bialetti’s best-known product, the company also manufactures other coffee equipment.
Among other things, Bialetti products exist for milk frothing and other forms of coffee brewing.
At Brændeholm Risteri, you will find, for example, manual Bialetti Montalatte models among our milk frothers.
You can also find Bialetti among our selection of French presses.
Why has Bialetti become so famous?
Bialetti’s position is due to more than just the brewing method itself.
The Moka Express combines a very recognizable design with a relatively simple way to brew concentrated coffee.
The octagonal shape has become closely associated with both Bialetti and Italian coffee culture.
At the same time, the basic principle has changed relatively little: water is heated at the bottom, passes through the ground coffee, and the finished coffee collects at the top.
This has made the Moka Express a product that functions both as a coffee brewer and as a well-known design object.
The little man with the mustache
Another hallmark of Bialetti is the figure L'Omino con i Baffi – “the little man with the mustache”.
The figure became a central part of Bialetti’s visual identity and is still closely associated with the brand.
The logo makes Bialetti products easily recognizable and is today almost as characteristic as the octagonal shape of the Moka Express itself.
Bialetti Moka Express or Venus?
The choice depends primarily on your stovetop and your preferences.
Moka Express is the obvious choice if you want the classic Bialetti shape and are using a compatible heat source.
Venus is relevant if you prefer stainless steel and need a model that, in the relevant size, works on induction.
There is not necessarily a flavor “winner” between them. Both work according to the mocha pot principle.
The most important thing is to choose the right model and size for your stovetop and then focus on good coffee beans, appropriate grinding, and brewing technique.
In short: Who is Bialetti?
Bialetti is an Italian manufacturer of coffee equipment with a history dating back to 1919.
The company is best known for Alfonso Bialetti’s Moka Express from 1933, which made mocha pot brewing a simple method for making concentrated coffee at home on the stove. Bialetti’s own history dates both the beginning of the workshop to 1919 and the Moka Express to 1933, and MoMA also registers the design from 1933.
Today, there are several Bialetti models for different needs, including the classic Moka Express as well as solutions for induction.
If you want to find the model that suits your kitchen, you can see our entire selection of espresso pots, mocha pots, and Bialetti.