Latest news with #Bialetti
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Here's Why Coffee Pros Love a Moka Pot — and How to Make the Perfect Cup
Making coffee doesn't have to be costly or complicated. The inexpensive stovetop moka pot should be a leading contender for an easy, top-quality brew. Invented in the 1930s by Alfonso Bialetti in Crusinallo, Italy, this modest coffee maker has become an archetypal symbol of efficient design around the world. Moka pot devotees have flooded social media with adoration and brewing tips. And top coffee professionals have joined in to share step-by-step tutorials. Renowned coffee expert James Hoffmann has dedicated several videos to the best practices and science behind the moka pot. He even sliced one in half to show its structure and inner workings. Related: Why the Best Coffee Is Made in a Moka Pot 'The moka pot extraction concept is based on speed, simplicity, and intensity of flavor,' says Simone Amenini, head of quality control and education for Ditta Artigianale and the Scuola del Caffè Firenze. 'It took the place of the cuccuma, the Neapolitan coffee pot — which isn't actually Neapolitan — widely used in Italian homes starting from the mid-1800s.' The moka pot could create a stronger-flavored brew, as it extracts the coffee grounds under pressure. 'This decidedly breaks with the trend in other European countries that continued to prefer a softer and smoother coffee on the palate, using infusion-based extractions like coffee pots, French press, syphon, and pour-over,' says Amenini. Moka pots were always present in the homes where Amenini grew up. 'For a long time, it represented the ideal of coffee at home,' he says. 'It represents the morning coffee that my parents prepare when I am at their house. It represents the after-meal coffee at my grandmother's house when we had the whole family gathered together.' A moka pot harnesses steam to push water up through ground coffee and into the top chamber where the completed brew sits. The boiler at the bottom of the pot is filled with water. As the water heats up, it begins to steam and expands the air to press the water up through a funnel and into the middle section, where the ground coffee sits in a basket. The liquid is then pushed through the grounds to the top chamber. The brewed coffee's journey is the opposite of the many drip coffee machines or pour-over methods which rely on gravity. These techniques allow water to drip down over grounds and into a pot below. Morgan Eckroth, drink developer and 2022 U.S. Barista Champion, prefers a moka pot to make coffee without the bells and whistles of a high-powered espresso machine. 'I've always found the tactile and methodical nature of the moka pot to be very grounding,' she says. 'I think, for many folks, moka pots hold a lot of nostalgia, and while I don't necessarily have those same memories, there's something about the brewing style that transports me back. It's a coffee maker that requires you to be present for every stage of the brew in a way that's pretty rare nowadays.' Eckroth loves to travel with a moka pot. Her go-to is the six-cup Bialetti Moka Express. 'It's a brewer that doesn't require the same level of gear that others typically do. A moka pot, grinder, heat source, and coffee are really all you need,' she says. 'A strong, hot cup of coffee from a moka pot while camping is my ideal scenario.' Many award-winning baristas gravitate to detailed brewing recipes with intensive focus on grind size, gram measurements, and water temperature. But the moka pot has been known to inspire a more intuitive process. 'While I'm a huge proponent of utilizing repeatable and trackable coffee recipes, I typically find myself reverting to simpler brewing with the moka pot,' says Eckroth. 'I fill the bottom chamber with preheated water up to the pressure valve and add enough medium-fine coffee to fill the basket. Following these two steps will usually result in a 1:10 ratio of coffee to water.' Eckroth recommends to put an AeroPress filter atop the grounds for an extra level of filtration. 'I start the brew on medium heat, and as soon as the first coffee rises into the upper chamber, I turn the heat down to low, and let it brew slowly,' she says. 'At the very first signs of sputtering, as the lower water chamber empties, I cover and remove the brewer. The coffee should then be served immediately.' Francesco Sanapo, co-founder of Ditta Artigianale and three-time Italian barista champion, feels a deep connection to the moka pot. 'The moka pot is a cultural symbol of Italy,' he says. 'When I was young, I would wake up for school to the smell of moka in my house. Moka plays an important role not only for me, but for all Italian people.' Sanapo uses a moka pot at breakfast every morning with his family. 'My best advice to is always use good, filtered water.' Los Angeles chef Royce Burke, the host of the Carpetbagger podcast, brews coffee in a moka pot daily. Burke's love of the moka pot is also sentimental. 'It's so simple, and the tradition of unscrewing it, tapping out the spent grinds, rinsing, filling the water chamber, grinding the beans by hand, pouring them in, screwing it back on, igniting the burner and listening for the gurgling sound of morning, it makes me so happy,' he says. Fill the bottom chamber with filtered water up to just below the safety valve (the pros often suggest to begin with boiling water for ideal extraction). Add medium-ground coffee to the filter basket. Level the grounds. Do not overfill or press down. Add an AeroPress filter over the coffee grounds for extra filtration (optional). Screw on the top of the moka pot and place the brewer on medium heat. Open the top of the pot to watch for the beginning of extraction. Keep an eye on the pot to see when the coffee begins to fill the top chamber. Take the pot off the heat before it begins to sputter with bubbles. Be careful in case the handle becomes hot on the stove. Close the top and wait a few minutes for the coffee to finish brewing. Most moka pots are not dishwasher safe, so clean them by hand. After you make coffee, rinse with hot water only, and dry thoroughly. When coffee oils build up, add vinegar or citric acid to water in the bottom chamber and brew normally to allow the mixture to enter the top chamber. Then rinse with fresh water. Read the original article on Food & Wine
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italian coffee pot maker Bialetti to be sold to Chinese business NUO Capital
Bialetti, the Italian manufacturer of the famed stove-top moka coffee pot, has struck a deal to sell the business to an investment vehicle owned by a Chinese tycoon. Founded in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, an engineer who produced the first coffee pots from his workshop in Crusinallo, Piedmont, the company is being bought by Luxembourg-registered NUO Capital, which will pay €53m (£46m) for 78.6% of its shares. The deal is expected to close by the end of June before a tender for the remaining shares is launched, at a price of no less than €0.467 each, before the company is delisted from Milan's stock exchange. The buyout is subject to regulatory approval, including scrutiny under 'golden powers' regulations that allow the Italian government to block or set conditions for corporate takeovers. NUO Capital is headed by Stephen Cheng, a member of one of Hong Kong's richest families. The acquisition of the Italian brand to a Chinese fund comes at a sensitive time for Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, according to Wolfango Piccoli, a co-president of political risk advisory at the London-based research company Teneo. Meloni will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday in an effort to reignite dialogue with the EU over his threatened trade tariff increases. But Italy's relationship with China, with whom the US is embroiled in a fierce tariff war, could be problematic. 'On one hand, she is attempting to pursue a soft reset with China following Italy's withdrawal from the belt and road initiative,' said Piccoli. 'On the other, she is keen to position herself as president Trump's preferred European partner.' Bialetti's inexpensive but stylish octagonal moka pots were aimed at bringing the espresso-style experience into the home. The name moka originated from the city of Mokha in Yemen, one of the first places in the world to produce coffee. Bialetti struggled during the second world war due to a shortage of aluminium but was then revived by Alfonso's son, Renato, who was celebrated for turning the moka pot into a global icon after introducing 'the little man with a moustache', a mascot representing a caricature of himself that was printed on the side of the pots. Renato died in 2016, with his ashes buried inside a giant moka. Although other brands have replicated the moka pot, a study in 2010 found that 90% of Italian households owned a Bialetti. But the company has struggled in recent years due to poor investments and competition from capsule coffee makers. Bialetti expanded by opening stores in shopping malls, but business took a hit during the Covid pandemic, and its venture into the sale of kitchen utensils has been unsuccessful. In 2024, company posted a €1.1m loss and closed the year with adjusted net financial debts of €81.9m. Egidio Cozzi, who will stay on as Bialetti chief executive after the acquisition, said: 'Today Bialetti is a more solid company, with a clear strategic vision and a globally recognised brand.' Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
16-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Italian coffee pot maker Bialetti to be sold to Chinese business NUO Capital
Bialetti, the Italian manufacturer of the famed stove-top moka coffee pot, has struck a deal to sell the business to an investment vehicle owned by a Chinese tycoon. Founded in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, an engineer who produced the first coffee pots from his workshop in Crusinallo, Piedmont, the company is being bought by Luxembourg-registered NUO Capital, which will pay €53m for 78.6% of its shares. The deal is expected to close by the end of June before a tender for the remaining shares is launched, at a price of no less than €0.467 each, before the company is delisted from Milan's stock exchange. The buyout is subject to regulatory approval, including scrutiny under 'golden powers' regulations that allow the Italian government to block or set conditions for corporate takeovers. NUO Capital is headed by Stephen Cheng, a member of one of Hong Kong's richest families. The acquisition of the Italian brand to a Chinese fund comes at a sensitive time for Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni, according to Wolfango Piccoli, a co-president of political risk advisory at the London-based research company Teneo. Meloni will meet the US president Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday in an effort to reignite dialogue with the EU over his threatened trade tariff increases. But Italy's relationship with China, with whom the US is embroiled in a fierce tariff war, could be problematic. 'On one hand, she is attempting to pursue a soft reset with China following Italy's withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative,' said Piccoli. 'On the other, she is keen to position herself as president Trump's preferred European partner.' Bialetti's inexpensive but stylish octagonal moka pots were aimed at bringing the espresso-style experience into the home. The name moka originated from the city of Mokha in Yemen, one of the first places in the world to produce coffee. Bialetti struggled during the second world war due to a shortage of aluminium but was then revived by Alfonso's son, Renato, who was celebrated for turning the moka pot into a global icon after introducing 'the little man with a moustache', a mascot representing a caricature of himself that was printed on the side of the pots. Renato died in 2016, with his ashes buried inside a giant moka. Although others brands have replicated the moka pot, a study in 2010 found that 90% of Italian households owned a Bialetti. But the company has struggled in recent years due to poor investments and competition from capsule coffee makers. Bialetti expanded by opening stores in shopping malls, but business took a hit during the Covid pandemic, and its venture into the sale of kitchen utensils has been unsucessful. In 2024, company posted a €1.1m loss and closed the year with adjusted net financial debts of €81.9m. Egidio Cozzi, who will stay on as Bialetti chief executive after the acquisition, said: 'Today Bialetti is a more solid company, with a clear strategic vision and a globally recognised brand.'
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Italian coffee pot maker Bialetti to be sold to Hong Kong's NUO Capital
ROME, April 16 (Reuters) - Bialetti ( opens new tab, inventor of the octagonal moka coffee pot hailed as an icon of Italian industrial design, has reached a deal with NUO Capital which will see the business sold and delisted, the two companies said on Wednesday. NUO Capital, registered in Luxembourg, is an investment vehicle controlled by the Pao Chengs, one of Hong Kong's wealthiest families. Bialetti, whose stove top coffee pot first introduced in 1933 is on display at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), has struggled in recent years with bad investments and competition from capsule coffee makers. It launched an expansion strategy based on the opening of stores in malls and city centres that was wrongfooted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and branched out unsuccessfully into kitchen utensils. In 2024, it posted a 1.1 million euro ($1.25 million) loss and closed the year with adjusted net financial debts of 81.9 million euros. Under the deal, NUO Capital will buy 78.6% of Bialetti's shares from its current main investors for 53 million euros, with a close expected by the end of June. A tender for the remaining shares will then be launched at a price no less than 0.467 euros each. The offer represents a significant premium to Bialetti's market value. On Tuesday, its shares closed in Milan at 0.279 euros. On Wednesday they failed to start trading and were indicated up 50%. The buyout is subject to regulatory approval, including scrutiny under "golden powers" regulations that allow the Italian government to block or set conditions for corporate takeovers. The deal includes the refinancing of Bialetti's debts, through a junior loan of up to 30 million euros from Illimity and AMCO and a senior loan of up to 45 million euros from Banco BPM, BPER Banca and Banca Ifis. NUO Capital also plans an equity contribution of at least 49.5 million euros, the joint statement said, adding that CEO Egidio Cozzi would remain in charge of Bialetti after the change of ownership. The moka pot's name derives from Yemen's Mokha, an important city for coffee commerce between the 16th and the 19th century. ($1 = 0.8794 euros)
New York Times
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Spring Is Actually a Great Time to Give Gifts. Here Are Deals on Some of Our Favorites.
What we like: A jewelry case we recommend in our gift guides for bridal showers and bridesmaids. Structured and hard-sided with an elegant, diminutive design. Constructed with embossed leather and rose-gold, brass-plated zipper. Other things to know: Zipper can be sticky at first. Petite size is about the size of a fist. On sale in white. Price includes shipping. Within $2 of previous deals, but FINAL SALE. For an extra fee, drop-shadow printed monogramming is available. Read more: 15 Great Bridal Shower Gifts What we like: A massage mat gift pick for mothers and fathers. Covered in 27-point plastic spikes for increased circulation and relaxation. Portable, linen, cushioned-foam mat. Effectively relieves tense muscles via acupressure massage. Other things to know: Might be a little intense at first. Removable cotton cover must be hand-washed and hung to dry. Street price has risen over the past year. 90-day Woor warranty. Available in black or green/white. Free shipping for Prime members, Read more: The 30 Best Cheap Mother's Day Gifts Under $50 $12 $10 from Amazon What we like: A gift pick in our guides to the best white elephant gifts under $25 and gifts for cats (and the humans they tolerate). Each sock features a sweet cat face at the top and paw prints at the bottom. The stretchy cotton stays soft and comfortable even after months of wear. Other things to know: Comes to just above the ankle. Pack of five in one size suitable for women's shoe sizes 5-8. Recurring deal. Read more: The 20 Best Gifts for Cats (and the Humans They Tolerate) What we like: A striking designer version of our favorite moka pot, recommended in our guide to the best gifts for coffee lovers. The pot's classic, simple design makes it easy to use and clean. Brews smooth-tasting coffee. Intricate pattern inspired by horse-drawn Sicilian carts. Other things to know: 3-cup size. Designer collaboration is pricier than the standard Bialetti pot, but still less than many fancy espresso machines. Deal available in red Dolce & Gabbana design. Read more: The 31 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers $8 $6 from Amazon (2-pack) (deal on blue and purple) What we like: A knot-busting spiky massage ball that we like as a gift for runners. Perfect for rolling under sore foot arches or loosening knots in other muscles. The little points and hard plastic are especially effective, offering intense pressure in a more targeted way. Other things to know: A tennis ball can do a similar job, but these have less give, and deliver more intense pressure distribution. Deal is for the blue and purple two-pack of spiky balls. Read more: The 27 Best Gifts for Runners What we like: The best action camera for 360-degree action. Creates footage that offers unusual views and angles. Better and easier to use than other 360 cameras we've tested. Can "delete" a selfie stick from the footage. Takes extremely high quality video. Can function as a standard action camera, and takes great still photos, too. Other things to know: Includes 2 total batteries, 114-cm selfie stick and 256 GB memory card. Includes a lens cap to protect the protruding lens, but you can buy an optically clear glass lens cap if you'd prefer. Insta360's app is easy to edit with. Costco membership required. Read more: The Best Action Camera What we like: One of our top warm, woodsy scented candle picks that we also like as a gift. Handsome black glass jar. Earthy and elegant fragrance isn't overpowering. Top note of Japanese cypress (hinoki) smoke with hints of warm amber, sweet vanilla, florals, and fresh moss. Other things to know: Our testers found this ultra-popular pick lives up to the hype. No lid. 20-hour burn time. Label may be crooked. Glossy vessel may show fingerprints. Not the best deal we've seen, but still solid since street price shot up by $10 last year. Use code FREESHIPPING for the 8.5-ounce size. Read more: Our Favorite Scented Candles What we like: The best smokeless fire pit for backyard grilling. Versatile and customizable, with a low-smoke design. Made for cooking; you can cook almost any way you imagine over an open flame. Compatible with the most cooking accessories (sold separately) of any brand we tested. Other things to know: Open-fire cooking isn't for everyone. Cleaning out the ash is fairly arduous. Will end up looking like a dirty grill if not properly cleaned. Limited lifetime warranty. 90-day returns, but after 30 days there's a 20% restocking fee. Use code CASHFORCLUNKERS (which should still work without taking the related survey). Read more: The Best Smokeless Fire Pits This article was edited by Hannah Rimm. The Wirecutter Deals team breaks down a few simple ways to save money all year long. Here's what the Wirecutter Deals team is looking for when they hunt for the best prices on Wirecutter picks every day of the week. Elissa Sanci Senior Staff Writer What I Cover I cover a little of everything, from travel gadgets and car-organizing tools to label makers and reusable tumblers. I have an affinity for testing the buzzy products you've probably seen clogging your social media feeds—my goal is to figure out which trending items are actually worth your time, and which are a waste of money.
