Italian coffee maker (moka)

The Italian moka, or coffee maker, has three pieces: a lower water tank, a basket with the coffee ground and a collector upstairs where the drink rises. When heated, the steam from the tank pushes the hot water through the coffee. It does not reach the pressure of an espresso machine, so the result is a concentrated and body coffee, "espresso type," but not a real espresso.

For it to come out sweet and not bitter, fill the tank with already hot water just below the valve, deny the coffee without pressing it and use medium fire with the lid open. Remove it as soon as the jet is clear and starts to bottle, and cool the base under the tap. For safety, never fill the water above the valve.

• In favour: cheap, durable and without paper or electricity.
• In favor: intense and achocolated coffee, perfect with milk and base of the Cuban coffee.
• Against: with strong fire the coffee is burned right away.
• Against: each size prepares a fixed amount.

When you buy, choose the size for the cups you usually make: a 3-cups moka gives about 150 ml. If you cook with induction, look for a steel or compatible base. A Bialetti Moka Express costs €20-45 and models for induction, €25-60.

Cheapest alternative: a Vietnamese phin (€5-15) gives an equal coffee concentrate.