Comparison of Moka Pot and Espresso Machine

If you love espresso, you should really add one of these coffee machines to your brewing arsenal. Both the Moka Pot and Espresso Machine can make a #espresso, but by definition only one person can make a real shot of espresso, read on to find out which one wins in this showdown!

What Makes Real Espresso?

Okay, before you get confused, let's take a moment to understand what makes a real shot of espresso.

A true espresso is produced using the pressure flow method.

Whole coffee can be a blend or a single origin.

A typical shot of espresso requires approximately 7-10 grams of finely ground coffee per 15-30ml shot (ground to an average of 325 microns).

The coffee must be ground into a disc inside a filter basket.

The optimum water temperature to create the perfect shot is around 195-205 F.

The heated water should penetrate the ground coffee at a pressure of about 9 BAR.

The entire drain time should not take more than 20-30 seconds (not including pre-infusion time).

The resulting espresso shot should include:

A rich cream.

It should contain an opaque liquid portion.

Each serving should be 15-30 ml.

A good espresso is often praised for its ability to create intense flavor profiles as well as highlight some of the unique flavors found in coffees that are often lost in longer brewing methods.

Now that you have a better understanding of what an espresso really is, you should now be able to understand why only one of the following coffee machines can produce a truly real shot of espresso.

Moka Pot

Italians often call the Moka Pot a "stove-top espresso machine", it's a simple-to-design brewing tool that consists of three main parts that screw together tightly to form a pressure vessel (like a pressure cooker).

The lower chamber is where you add your water, then a funnel-shaped metal filter basket is placed in the middle, your finely ground coffee is then added to the filter basket, you screw the upper chamber to the base and place it on the stove. As it boils, your coffee will begin to appear in the upper chamber.

Brewed coffee is typically concentrated, thick, and flavorful; however, it is very easy to under- or over-extract when using the Moka Pot.

How does it work

The Moka Pot relies on pressure to push the steam and water up the coffee bed, but the pressure produced by a Moka Pot is roughly 1-1.5 BAR, far from the 9 Bar required for a true espresso.

Due to the lower pressure used in the Moka Pot, you won't be able to fully extract all the flavors, oils and you will also struggle to produce a crema, so your shot will not be full bodied. compared to using an espresso machine.

Read this step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to use the Moka Pot.

Espresso Machine

Espresso Machine is not as simple as a stovetop coffee machine. While the Moka Pot only uses a stovetop to heat the water and then generate pressure, the Espresso machine relies on heating elements, motors and electronics to properly brew an espresso.

Some of the best espresso machines are automatic and use lots of sophisticated electronics to manage extraction time, pressure, and water flow. A semi-auto is a cheaper type of espresso machine that gives the user a bit more control over the extraction process.

How does it work

Just like a Moka Pot, the Espresso Maker has three main components and uses a built-in boiler to heat the water and build pressure, but that's where the similarities end.

The espresso machine uses a group head (like a valve) that controls the flow of heated water and regulates the pressure pushed through the coffee grounds. The water is forced through coffee grounds, tightly packed into a #portafilter using an espresso tamper; The coffee is then pushed into your cup through tiny holes.

If the technical side of a true espresso shot doesn't bother you by the definition above, the Moka Pot makes a rich, full-bodied coffee that tastes great. However, a Moka Pot will not make real espresso, but it is said to contain many similar properties along with it. It is a very strong, short coffee that is an excellent alternative for most people who are not espresso connoisseurs.

It can be made inexpensively and quickly, and once you get used to it, it tastes great.

Considering that it means investing in a very expensive espresso machine as an alternative, there's a lot to be said for the modest countertop Moka Pot. For those of you on a tight budget, it's the perfect compromise between manual coffee machines and the authentic espresso that's often marketed.

Moka Pot vs. Espresso Machine: For those of you who are looking for a real espresso, the clear winner of this showdown is the full-fledged espresso machine. Sure, the Moka Pot can make a concentrated, full-bodied coffee that will serve as an espresso substitute for people who aren't fussy.

However, what is behind the marketing of stovetop coffee machines?

People seem to want to confuse people into thinking that brewed coffee is a replica of that produced by an espresso machine, even though it actually produces great-tasting coffee on its own.

The versatility of the 3espresso made in the Moka Pot is the same as that made in an espresso machine, and you can use the coffee as a base for #cappuccino and #latte just by adding steamed or frothed milk.