No espresso machine? No problem. Great coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, and our blends are crafted for a range of home brewing methods, including the classic stovetop/moka pot.
This step-by-step guide will help you get the best out of your beans.
Why Stovetop?
The stovetop or moka pot is loved for its rich, espresso-like flavour, simple design, and timeless appeal. It produces a strong, aromatic cup that’s perfect for milk-based coffee or can be enjoyed black for a bold hit. Because it brews under pressure, it highlights the chocolate and caramel depth in our Rich Strong Blend, while highlighting the balance of our Smooth Medium Blend.
Smooth Medium Blend
Our recommended brewing ratio using our Smooth Medium Blend is 1:8 – this means, for every 10 grams of coffee, use around 80ml of water. A 3-cup moka pot typically uses 15g of coffee and 130ml of water. If you're using a larger 6-cup pot, use 30g of coffee and 260ml of water.
Rich Strong Blend
For our Rich Strong Blend, our recommended ratio for stovetop is 1:10 – this means, for every 10 grams of coffee, use around 100ml of water. For a 3-cup moka pot, this will be 15 grams of coffee coffee and 150ml of water. For a larger 6-cup pot, double the amounts to 30 grams of coffee and 300ml of water.
What You’ll Need:
- A stovetop moka pot (3 or 6 cup is perfect for most homes)
- Coffee beans (we recommend Rich Strong for a bolder cup or Smooth Medium for balance)
- A grinder (or pre-ground coffee)
- Filtered water
Step-by-step:
1. Fill the base
Fill the bottom chamber of your moka pot with hot water up to the safety valve. Using pre-heated water helps reduce bitterness by keeping the coffee from overheating.
2. Add your coffee
Fill the filter basket with ground coffee. Use a medium-fine grind – finer than filter coffee, but not as fine as espresso. Level it off with your finger, but don’t tamp it down.
3. Assemble and heat
Pop the filter basket into the base then screw the top and bottom chambers together carefully (watch for steam). Place the moka pot over medium heat with the lid open.
4. Watch and listen
You’ll hear a gentle gurgle as the coffee brews and fills the top chamber. When the stream turns golden and starts to sputter, remove from the heat.
5. Serve and enjoy
Pour straight into your cup. Drink it black for a bold, espresso-style cup, or add hot milk for a rich coffee at home.
Pro Tips for Better Stovetop Coffee:
- Use beans that are roasted for home use
- Avoid overpacking: a flat fill is best
- Don’t walk away: stovetop brewing only takes a few minutes – timing matters
- Clean gently: rinse with warm water and dry well and skip soap to protect the flavour
The Espresso Club™ Difference
Many beans are roasted for commercial cafe machines. At The Espresso Club™, our blends are designed to extract beautifully in home setups, from espresso machines to moka pots.
That means smoother flavour, less bitterness, and cafe-quality results at home.
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