The moka pot comes in a range of sizes and is sold by many different brands. What unites these different versions is the way coffee is brewed – steam pressurizes boiling water so that it passes through ground coffee, thereby creating brewed coffee without using a filter. The moka pot’s introduction meant people could start enjoying espresso at home. While not quite restaurant-grade quality due to its lower pressurization, moka pot espresso still tastes good enough for many espresso drinkers. Luigi di Ponti invented the original moka pot in 1933 and to this day, many versions maintain its iconic octagonal shape and are made from aluminum rather than stainless steel, the modern material of choice for kitchen tools. The pot’s design has been featured in museums including the Cooper Hewitt and the Museum of Modern Art.
