The Bialetti Brikka is a moka pot coffee brewer with one key difference. A weight on top of the water spout increases the pressure of the water during extraction. This results in a stronger coffee and a rich, creamy crema.
If you want to brew espresso-like coffee on the go or can’t justify the cost of an at-home espresso machine, the Bialetti Brikka is the best option. In this brew guide, you’ll learn how to brew the best cup of coffee using the Bialetti Brikka…
Bialetti Brikka Brewing Specs
- Brew Time: 5–10 minutes
- Coffee/Water Ratio: 1:10
- Grind: Fine grind
- Water Temperature: 208ºF (98ºC)
- Recommended Coffee: Cafely DaLat (100% Arabica)
Bialetti Brikka Brewing Summary
- Measure & grind the arabica coffee.
- Assemble the Bialetti Brikka.
- Place the Brikka on the stove.
- Wait for the pot to start brewing.
- Turn down the heat and wait for the pot to finish brewing.
- Pour the shot and enjoy black, or add steamed or frothed milk.
What You Need to Brew Coffee with a Bialetti Brikka
To brew delicious coffee using the Bialetti Brikka, you’ll need the following tools and ingredients:
Tools
- Bialetti Brikka — This moka pot coffee brewer is available in a few different sizes (two-cup, three-cup, and six-cup Brikkas).
- Coffee grinder — You’ll need a burr coffee grinder to achieve the fine consistency needed for the Bialetti Brikka.
- Stovetop — The Bialetti Brikka is a stovetop brewer. Gas stoves are best, but electric stoves also work.
- Demitasse cup — A small espresso-sized mug is best for serving this strong, concentrated brew.
Ingredients
- High-quality arabica coffee — Opt for a whole-bean arabica coffee such as DaLat to create an espresso-like shot of coffee with smooth, rich flavors.
- Water — Use cold, filtered water in the Bialetti Brikka.
- Milk (optional) — You can add frothed or steamed milk to this coffee to create a latte.
Coffee Recommendations
The best coffee for use in the Bialetti Brikka is arabica. We recommend a dark roast arabica coffee such as Cafely DaLat (100% arabica) for making an espresso-like coffee using this moka pot.
Opting for a whole-bean coffee and grinding it fresh before brewing will result in a more complex brew with a greater range of identifiable flavor notes. If you don’t have access to a coffee grinder, make sure to opt for a fresh, high-quality pre-ground coffee.
You can also use a blend of robusta and arabica in the Bialetti Brikka if you prefer a more robust brew with a higher caffeine content. We recommend a lighter blend such as Cafely Saigon OG (Arabica, Robusta, & Peaberry) if you want to brew a strong, balanced shot of coffee in a Brikka.
How to Brew Coffee with a Bialetti Brikka: Step-by-Step
Making coffee using the Bialetti Brikka may seem complicated, but it's actually a rather simple process. There are a couple of ways this brewing method can go wrong, but as long as you understand how to avoid these, you'll be brewing great coffee time and time again.
Avoid packing the grounds into the filter basket too tightly, and don't let the pot boil on the stove for too long. Avoid these two factors, and you'll be a master of the Bialetti Brikka.
With that said, here’s how to use the Bialetti Brikka to make coffee:
1. Measure & Grind the Coffee
First, you’ll need to measure and grind the coffee. The amount you’ll need will depend on the size of the Brikka you own.
Here’s a coffee-to-water guide for the Bialetti Brikka:
- 2-Cup Brikka — 12 grams of coffee to 120 mL of water.
- 3-Cup Brikka — 20 grams of coffee to 200 mL of water.
- 6-Cup Brikka — 30 grams of coffee to 300 mL of water.
If you don’t want to measure your coffee using a scale, fill the filter basket with coffee beans — this will give you the correct measure for your Brikka.
Once you’ve measured the coffee, grind it finely (a similar consistency to powdered sugar) using a burr grinder.
2. Assemble the Bialetti Brikka
Fill the water reservoir (bottom chamber) up with water to the fill line. Then, fill the filter basket with the ground coffee, lightly level the grounds off using the back of a spoon, and insert it into the water chamber.
Screw on the top half of the pot securely and place the pot on your stove.
3. Build up the Pressure
Turn the stove on a medium-high heat and wait for the pot to start gurgling. This will take anywhere from two to 10 minutes depending on your stove and the size of the Brikka.
If you’re using gas, make sure the flames remain underneath the pot and don’t travel up the sides — this can scorch the coffee and produce an overly bitter brew.
4. Reduce the Heat & Begin Brewing
Once the pot begins to gurgle, turn your stove down to its lowest heat setting.
Observe the pot as the brew travels up the spout and into the collection chamber above. The brewing process will take a minute or two to complete. You'll know it's ready when the pot begins to splutter.
As soon as the Brikka has finished brewing, remove it from the heat immediately.
5. Pour the Coffee
If you want to consume your shot of coffee black, pour it up into a demitasse cup. Observe the shot. It should look dark and rich and have a distinct espresso-like aroma. It should also have a velvety, caramel-colored crema on top.
6. Add Milk (Optional)
If you don’t enjoy black coffee, you can use your Brikka shot in a variety of ways. One of the most popular is to use it to make a latte.
To make a latte with your coffee shot, warm some milk in a pan and froth with a milk frother or fine whisk until light and velvety.
Pour the shot into a coffee mug or heat-proof glass, followed by the frothed milk. Garnish with a couple of roasted coffee beans, serve, and enjoy while warm.
Expert Tips & Tricks: Bialetti Brikka
Although making coffee with a Bialetti Brikka is relatively simple, there are a few simple factors in the brewing process that can be overlooked. These small mistakes can ruin the quality of your coffee shot.
Here are some expert tips and tricks to ensure you make the perfect Brikka coffee every time:
1. A Consistent Grind Creates a Consistent Shot
Next to high-quality coffee, grind size is the biggest factor that can affect the quality of a cup of coffee. The Bialetti Brikk requires a fine grind. A consistent grind size ensures the coffee is extracted evenly.
Achieving a consistent fine grind is difficult without a burr grinder. Avoid using a blade grinder and make sure not to over or under-grind the beans with a burr grinder.
2. Don’t Over-Tamp the Grounds
When filling the filter basket with coffee, use the back of a spoon to gently smooth out the grounds. Avoid packing the coffee into the filter basket — this will lead to an inconsistent extraction.
If your shot tastes overly bitter or acidic, check the grounds in the filter basket after brewing. If you see channeling or dry patches of coffee, you’ve likely over-tamped the grounds.
3. Avoid Overheating the Pot
This factor isn’t just applicable to the Bialetti Brikka. Avoid overheating the pot — this can result in bitter, harsh, burnt flavors in the finished coffee.
Once your pot begins to gurgle, turn the heat on your stove right down. Keep a close eye on the top chamber. Once filled and the pot begins to splutter, remove it from the heat. Doing this will ensure you create the perfect extraction every time.
4. Use Filtered Water
The water used to brew coffee is often overlooked. It’s easy to fill the water reservoir of your Bialetti Brikka with regular tap water. However, you should avoid doing this. Hard, unfiltered water can damage the integrity of the pot over time and taint the taste of your brew.
Always use clean, fresh, filtered water when brewing coffee with a Bialetti Brikka.
FAQs: The Bialetti Brikka
Learn more about the Bialetti Brikka and other brewing methods in the answers to the frequently asked questions below:
1. What is a Moka Pot?
A moka pot is a small, stovetop coffee brewer that creates concentrated espresso-like coffee. It works by passing boiling water up through a filter basket filled with finely ground coffee. The concentrated brew is collected in a chamber above.
2. Is a Bialetti Brikka the Same as a Moka Pot?
The Bialetti Brikka is a high-quality moka pot that creates rich, espresso-like coffee with a creamy crema.
3. Does a Bialetti Brikka Make Espresso Coffee?
Only an espresso machine can produce a true espresso coffee. However, the Bialetti Brikka produces a similar brew with a rich, dark body and a deep, creamy crema. It's the perfect alternative to an espresso machine, and it's far more portable.
4. How Much Caffeine is in a Coffee Brewed with a Bialetti Brikka?
A typical 60 mL shot of coffee brewed with a Bialetti Brikka contains around 90 to 100 mg of caffeine. However, this can vary depending on the type of coffee used — robusta produces a much stronger brew.
5. What’s the Best Coffee for a Bialetti Brikka?
The best coffee to use in Bialetti Brikka is arabica. Arabica coffee produces a smooth, rich shot with a fine crema. However, robusta and blends can be used to create a darker shot with nutty, bitter notes and around twice the amount of caffeine.
6. Can You Make Espresso with a Drip Coffee Maker?
No. You cannot make espresso using a drip coffee maker. However, you can make a strong, concentrated shot of coffee by increasing the coffee-to-water ratio. This shot won't have the same characteristics as an espresso, but it can be used to make iced coffee and as a replacement espresso-based drink such as a latte.
7. Can You Make Iced Coffee with a Bialetti Brikka?
Yes. The Bialetti Brikka is perfect for making iced coffee. The strong, concentrated shot of coffee works incredibly well when poured over ice and combined with milk.
8. What is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica is a type of coffee bean harvested from the Coffea arabica species. It produces a sweet, rich brew that's smooth and mildly caffeinated. It's the most commonly consumed type of coffee in the West — it's used to make espresso, lattes, and (often) drip coffee.
9. What is Liberica Coffee?
Liberica coffee is made using the beans of the Coffea liberica species. This rare coffee only makes up around 1% of the world's coffee production. It produces a sweet, fruity brew with a mild acidity.
10. What is Robusta Coffee?
Robusta coffee is made using the beans of the Coffea canephora (robusta) plant. It produces a rich, dark, bitter brew with around twice the caffeine of arabica coffee. It's commonly used in Southeast Asian brews — like Vietnamese coffee that's brewed with a phin filter.
