When was the last time you made a cappuccino? I mean making a good cappuccino. Most people (even me) prefer buying a cup of coffee from the local coffee shop, and let’s be honest – we do that simply because we love the taste of it!
But what if I told you that you can make the same cappuccino you buy every day with just a regular Moka Pot. Yes, I’m dead serious. In this article, I’ll show you how to make cappuccino using the Moka Pot, and I promise – it will taste just as good (if not better) than the one you’re buying every day.
What is A Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that originated in Italy. It is made with steamed milk, finely ground coffee beans, and a foamy topping called “crema.”
The word “cappuccino” comes from the Italian word for “hood”, which is a reference to the hooded robes worn by the Capuchin monks.
Today, cappuccinos are popular around the world and can be found in many coffee shops and cafés. They are typically served in cute mugs or glasses and garnished with a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
How is a cappuccino traditionally made?
It is typically made with one or two shots of espresso, topped with milk foam, and served in a small mug. The milk foam is created by steaming milk and then using a steam wand to whip it into a thick, creamy foam.
The espresso shots are typically pulled using an espresso machine. To make a cappuccino, the barista will first pull a shot of espresso. They will then steam milk using a steam wand and pour it over the espresso.
Finally, the barista will finish it off by topping the drink with milk foam. This is also how latte art was born!
How Can You Make Cappuccino with A Moka pot?
Right now you are probably thinking, what are the necessary ingredients and toppings you need to have to make the recipe.
Making a homemade cappuccino with a Moka pot is actually pretty easy – and it doesn’t require any fancy equipment. All you need is a Moka pot, some espresso-grade coffee beans, and some milk.
To make the cappuccino, simply put some water in the bottom chamber of the Moka pot, add the coffee beans to the filter basket, and screw on the top chamber.
Then place the Moka pot on the stove, turn up the heat, and wait for the water to boil. Once the water boils, it will rise through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber, creating a concentrated shot of espresso.
Simple, right? Now all you need to do is froth some milk and pour it over your espresso. You can use a handheld frother to make things easier, or you can simply steam the milk using the stovetop method.
Now let’s go and see step-by-step how to make a cappuccino using the Moka pot.
Ingredients:
- Milk (You can use almond milk if you want)
- Cinnamon, or chocolate powder (optional)
- Espresso Coffee Beans
Equipment:
- Moka Pot
- Milk Frother
- French Press (if you don’t have a milk frother)
- Hand Mixer (if you don’t have a milk frother or a French Press)
1) Grind Your Coffee Beans (or use pre-ground coffee)
The first step is of course to grind your coffee beans. Usually, for cappuccino, you want to use finely ground beans, but since we use the Moka Pot, we can get away with a little bit coarser grind.
Also, if you don’t have a grinder, you can use pre-ground coffee. Just make sure it’s of good quality and fresh.
2) Weigh Your Coffee
The next step is to weigh your coffee grounds. The coffee to water ratio for the Moka Pot is 1:7, so for every gram of coffee, you’ll want to use 7 grams of water.
This will vary a bit depending on the Moka pot size you’re using. For example, if you’re using a 3-cup pot, you’ll want to use around 15 – 20 grams of coffee.
You can read our Moka pot coffee to water ratio guide for more information.
3) Turn the Heat Up to Medium-High
Now it’s time to turn the heat up to medium-high. Since most Moka Pot are made out of Aluminum, it’s important not to use too high of heat, as this can damage the pot.
Also, the final taste of your coffee will be affected if you use too high of heat. This happens because the water will start to boil too rapidly, and the coffee grounds will not have enough time to properly extract.
4) Fill The Filter Basket With Coffee Grounds
Once the water is hot, it’s time to fill the filter basket with coffee grounds. Be sure to pack the grounds tightly, but don’t overpack them.
Tamping your coffee grounds too hard can lead to over-extraction, simply because the Moka Pot uses less pressure than an espresso machine (around 1-2 bars).
5) Add Water to The Bottom Chamber
Now it’s time to add water to the bottom chamber of the Moka pot. Again, be sure not to use too much water, as this can lead to coffee that tastes watered down.
If you are new to the Moka Pot you should know that there is a small valve inside the chamber that indicates the amount of water you will need.
6) Screw On the Top Chamber and Put It On The Stove
Once you’ve added the appropriate amount of water, it’s time to screw on the top chamber. Be sure to screw it on tight, if you want to avoid your Moka pot leaking.
After the top chamber is on, it’s time to put the Moka pot on the stove.
7) Wait for The Water to Boil
Now all you need to do is wait for the water to boil. Once it starts boiling, the water will rise through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber, creating a concentrated cup of espresso.
Depending on the size of your Moka pot, this should take between 3 – 5 minutes. Once you start hearing a hissing sound, go on and remove the Moka pot from the heat.
8) Pour Your Espresso Into a Cup
Now it’s time to pour your espresso into a cup. Try to do this step a bit faster, as the coffee can start to become bitter if it sits in the pot for too long.
This occurs because the Aluminum in high heat can alter the taste of the coffee.
9) Froth Milk
Now all you need to do is froth some milk and pour it over your espresso. You can use a classic milk frother to do the job by simply heating your milk and frothing it until it’s nice and foamy.
There are a few other ways you can froth the milk and get that rich and foam cappuccino top we all know and love. You can:
- Use a Hand Mixer
- or a French Press
1. Using A Hand Mixer
With a little patience and a hand mixer, you can easily froth milk at home. The key is to warm the milk first. This can be done by microwaving it for a minute or so, or by placing it in a saucepan over low heat.
Once the milk is warm, place the whisk in the milk and turn the pin to rotate. Keep the whisk going until the milk starts to foam.
Now take a large spoon and hold it against the side of the bowl. Slowly pour the milk into the espresso cup, being careful not to overfill it.
2. Using A French Press
If you don’t have a hand mixer, you can still froth milk using a French press. Start by heating the milk on the stove over low heat until it’s warm to the touch. Then pour the milk into the French press and screw on the lid.
Now, holding the French press lid down, pump the plunger up and down until the milk starts to foam. Once it’s foamy, slowly pour it over your espresso.
10) Add Your Toppings And Serve!
The final step is to add your desired toppings and serve. If you want to keep it classic, sprinkle some chocolate powder on top or add a dash of cinnamon.
You could also get creative and add some whipped cream or even a scoop of ice cream. The possibilities are endless!
Suggested Read: Moka Pot Brewing Guide
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Moka Pot Latte?
Do you also wonder if you can make a Moka pot latte? The answer is obviously yes!
There’s something special about a Moka pot latte. The rich, full-bodied flavor of the espresso combined with the creamy milk creates a perfect balance in every sip.
And when it’s topped with beautiful latte art, it’s a truly elevated experience. Just follow the above steps and add some steamed milk to your Moka pot espresso. Then, pour it into a cup and top it with latte art.
Moka Pot Latte vs Espresso Latte
When it comes to making a latte, there are two main ways to do it – with a Moka pot or with an espresso machine. Both methods have their pros and cons, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Since espresso uses higher pressure to extract the coffee, it generally has a more intense flavor. This is why many people prefer to make their lattes with an espresso machine.
However, Moka pot coffee is also quite flavorful. And since it’s less bitter than espresso, some people find it to be a more enjoyable latte.
Some notable differences between Moka pot lattes and espresso lattes include:
1) The Taste.
As mentioned, Moka pot coffee is less bitter than espresso. This is because the Moka pot uses lower pressure to extract the coffee, which results in a more mellow flavor. Espresso, on the other hand, has a more intense flavor due to the higher pressure used to extract the coffee.
If your Moka Pot coffee tastes sour, then you are probably doing something wrong!
2) The Cost.
Espresso machines can be quite expensive, whereas Moka pots are relatively affordable. If you’re on a budget, a Moka pot is the way to go.
3) The Difficulty.
Espresso machines are easier to use than Moka pots. This is because they require less effort to extract the coffee. Moka pots, on the other hand, need to be monitored closely to prevent the coffee from burning.
It really comes down to you and your personal preferences. So, experiment with both methods and see which one you like better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put milk in the Moka Pot?
You certainly can put milk in a Moka pot! Many people enjoy making coffee with milk using this brewing method. The key is to make sure that the milk is steamed properly before adding it to the coffee. This will ensure that your coffee has a smooth, creamy texture.
What is a Moka Cappuccino?
A Moka Cappuccino is a cappuccino made with a Moka Pot. It’s the same as making coffee with an espresso machine, except that you’ll use a Moka pot instead.
Last Thoughts
So there you have it – a simple guide on how to make cappuccino using the Moka pot. It’s really not as difficult as it may seem, and with a little practice, you’ll be able to create perfect cups of this delicious coffee beverage every time.
If you haven’t already given the Moka pot method a try, we highly recommend that you do so – you won’t be disappointed!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
