I have nostalgic, childhood memories of waking up in Italy, to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the little man with the moustache. Seven at the time, I didn’t know that the cartoon-like character was Alfonso Bialetti, the inventor of this wonderful brewing system. In 1933 he had the foresight to create the Moka Express, which changed the image and essence of domestic coffee culture in Italy. Still today, using my Moka Pot gives me great comfort.Forge happy, everlasting memories by involving your children in helping you prepare your very own Moka Pot at home.

1. Remember to tell them to fill the base of the coffee pot with warm water, just below the valve.

2. Insert the funnel and fill it with fine to medium freshly ground coffee. 

3. The coffee must be leveled but never pressed down. Remove any coffee grounds on the edge of the funnel.

4. Heat the top of the coffee pot with some warm water and then discard. 

5. Firmly screw the top into the base of the coffee pot. Avoid using the handle for leverage. 

Now this is where mom and dad take over placing it onto the heat source. 

6. The handle of the Moka is made of plastic so that it doesn’t absorb the heat. Make sure the heat source doesn’t come over the sides and burn it.