Bialetti Moka Express
I just had what might very well have been the best cup (actually 3) of coffee I've ever had. No joke. I bought a 3 cup Bialetti Moka Express pot and a tin of Illy espresso coffee today and am in awe of how damn good it was. When the water started perking through the bed of grinds and bubbling into the top of the pot I took a deep breath and bit my lip in anticipation. Well worth the short wait.
I've been wanting to buy an espresso machine for some time now but our kitchen badly lacks the required counter real estate for even the smallest machine, so a moka express seemed to be the next best thing for espresso-like coffee at home. Looks pretty cool on the shelf too, puts my coffee press to shame in terms of style that's for sure. If you like thick strong coffee but don't want to invest in a proper espresso machine the moka express (stovetop espresso) is defiantly the way to go.
That's the espresso machine that every country house in Italy has (not that brand per se.) I have one too and it does make great expresso when used with good coffee.
::posted by: Gen Kanai at January 6, 2005 11:19 AM
Stovetop espresso pots are awesome, there's something special about them. You might also try coffee out of a french press for similarly (though different) rich coffee.
If you do that, I would recommend beans from Peet's Coffee (there are several that have opened in Tokyo and outlying areas during the past year or so). I used to work for the company (based here in the bay area) and I promise you the beans are some of the best anywhere, especially if you like a dark roast. Try the Moka Java blend, or Sumatra if you prefer something amazingly smooth and rich.
::posted by: Erik at January 6, 2005 02:37 PM
The Illy I bought was recommended as a pre-ground coffee and is readily available at most grocery stores here. Another that that I'll try is the lavazza espresso blend, their Qualità Oro was rather nice considering the price.
Michael, I was on my way to buy it at Tokyu Hands and made a quick stop at Sony Plaza and sure enough they were also selling the 3 and 6 cup pots for basically the same price.
Erik, I have a one cup french press I bought for the office (yes, coffee snob). Brewing coffee in the press is a delight and a larger one could easily replace our drip machine. I'd love to try Peet's if I knew where to find 'em. I can't find any Japanese site nor does peets.com list any shops in Japan. The last I heard was that they packed up shop a few years ago. Over-saturation with Starbucks, Tully's, not to mention all the Japanese chain coffee houses.
::posted by: mark at January 6, 2005 11:13 PM
And with your coffee, can I recommend you sit down with a cool new book on Japan called
Extremes: Contradictions in Contemporary Japan by a chap called G M Thomas. Will open you eyes, make you smile, and you can buy it off www.amazon.co.jp
I promise you'll enjoy it.
::posted by: Charlie at January 7, 2005 02:10 AM
Yikes - I did a little Google'ing and it seems like the Peet's in Japan are indeed all gone. Their website (http://www.peets.co.jp/) no longer exists. Gosh darnit.
::posted by: Erik at January 7, 2005 02:16 AM
Charlie, (of ex-Japaneze fame by any chance?) thanks for the recommendation. I see you've posted this to quite a few Japan weblogs lately. You wouldn't have any financial gain in the sale of this book now would you? Erik, when I make it to California one of these days I know where to get my coffee then.
::posted by: mark at January 7, 2005 07:56 AM
I just purchased a Bialetti Moka Express and don't know how much coffee to use in it. The directions on the box are not very specific and there were not any directions in the box when I opened it. Any help would be greatly apprecitated!!!~Kim~
::posted by: Kim at April 10, 2006 04:51 AM
