[harshaguduru]

Originally Posted by kumar2007

Just read thru the first few pages and found one of the best ways to make coffee missing. Don't know if it was covered later but here it is.

The Italian Mocca Pot. Absolutely superb coffee from it. Got a gift from a close friend years ago, and now we have many of different sizes, and carry one even when we travel [abroad included].

Everyone we have given one to has become an addict too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot

Image is from wiki and not mine.

Check three post above you.
Indeed my favourite way . I have an electric moka pot. Cant live without it.

[kumar2007]

Yes, after you pointed it out, I saw it. I had skimmed the first few pages only.

Just brilliant, and like you said, the aroma is awesome. In fact we carry coffee powder from here even when we travel to Europe. It's a matter of what you get used to, even though you get great coffees in Europe.

It's better than the South Indian decoction system in my opinion. Thicker, richer, and it's hotter when done.

[kippu]

where do we get good moka pots in india?
will the pigeon coffee maker or the one in cafe coffee day be a good buy?

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by kippu

where do we get good moka pots in india?
will the pigeon coffee maker or the one in cafe coffee day be a good buy?

The Pigeon Xpresso Coffee Maker is pretty similar to the Moka pot or Bialetti. Should make a good buy at around Rs. 300 for a 3-cup pot. Mfg quality might not be the same as the Bialetti though. Also, it seems to be stainless steel rather than Aluminium.

Would anyone happen to know if Pigeon also offers replacement rubber gaskets and safety valves that fit the original Italian Bialetti? It would be nice to have a few spare safety valves and not be stranded on a Monday morning without coffee

Cheers,
Rahul

[D-nav]

Originally Posted by kippu

where do we get good moka pots in india?
will the pigeon coffee maker or the one in cafe coffee day be a good buy?

This is called "perculator" down south. Ask for it in any vessel stores (Bhartan bhandars)

[archat68]

Originally Posted by kippu

where do we get good moka pots in india?
will the pigeon coffee maker or the one in cafe coffee day be a good buy?

These are not easy to clean and use.
You can get a steam driven espresso machine for ~3K.

[kippu]

well i have already had filter coffee our south indian style , now to experiment other ways . starting with this the italian way

Added to that is completely over the top recommendations of the users of this moka pot ,so I am very curious to see this little boy in action

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by archat68

These are not easy to clean and use.
You can get a steam driven espresso machine for ~3K.

Inferior coffee for ten times the price??

The Bialetti is very easy to clean. Ensure you clean the rubber gasket at the bottom of the upper vessel, as rubber is chemically sensitive. Just rinse everything else, simple!! No soap, it might take away the flavour
So you save on electricity bills AND on dish soap!

[archat68]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

Inferior coffee for ten times the price??

The Bialetti is very easy to clean. Ensure you clean the rubber gasket at the bottom of the upper vessel, as rubber is chemically sensitive. Just rinse everything else, simple!! No soap, it might take away the flavour
So you save on electricity bills AND on dish soap!

Basically the Moka pot and the steam driven espresso works on same principle. They both drive the water using the steam through the coffee powder. So, I don't think the electrically operated one is inferior. But if you can always go for the pump drivem model.

I had the CCD one and it would leak every now and then due to coffee powder in the threads. Also, the Moka pot is a burn hazard. Burnt myself numerous times when decanting the coffee.

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by archat68

Also, the Moka pot is a burn hazard. Burnt myself numerous times when decanting the coffee.

True, handling a hot Bialetti is a bit of a nuisance, especially when one hasn't yet woken up fully
I tend to double-filter my coffee, so it involves a thick cloth and other sundry apparatus on the filter. Never done myself an injury though.

Since I discovered the Bialetti, I've relegated my old thambi filter to the darkest corners of the kitchen cabinet. It was just too slow, poor thing! But I've never really fancied the coffee from the electric machines. I know they work the same way, but there's just something different.

[girimajiananth]

I am a big coffee freak , and 2 bits from my side to this lovely thread.

1. Go to you local steel utnsil shop or any good electrical appliance shop and ask for preeti drip cafe (preeti coffee maker).

2.Purchase coffee day powder from the coffee day outlet the best Coffee: chicory mix is either 70:30 or 80:20 depending on your like.
(i get 70:30 usually)

3.Use the new coffee maker and create a stong decoction ie add more powder and less water.

4.Once the decoction is made , add a few sachets of bru or nescafe instant coffee powder , its sort of adds more taste.

5. Do not dilute the milk , heat the milk , mix with coffee , add sugar to taste and serve is steel tumbler with a big cup . This is typical south indian coffee

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

I am a big coffee freak , and 2 bits from my side to this lovely thread.

1. Go to you local steel utnsil shop or any good electrical appliance shop and ask for preeti drip cafe (preeti coffee maker).

2.Purchase coffee day powder from the coffee day outlet the best Coffee: chicory mix is either 70:30 or 80:20 depending on your like.
(i get 70:30 usually)

3.Use the new coffee maker and create a stong decoction ie add more powder and less water.

4.Once the decoction is made , add a few sachets of bru or nescafe instant coffee powder , its sort of adds more taste.

5. Do not dilute the milk , heat the milk , mix with coffee , add sugar to taste and serve is steel tumbler with a big cup . This is typical south indian coffee

Ayyayyayyo!!! Saar! I was all ears until the 4th point! With all due respect, if you're using instant coffee then your filter coffee powder is NOT good enough, pure and simple! If you've got a 20-30% chicory blend, there is no need of this instant business. Preeti is a simple lady, she doesn't take too well to expensive stuff

On a serious note, have you tried the Cotha's or Bayar's blend? If not, please please do. Coffee Day powder is far from it. Really! If you already have, and then shifted to Coffee Day, I shall withdraw respectfully.

[archat68]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

On a serious note, have you tried the Cotha's or Bayar's blend? If not, please please do. Coffee Day powder is far from it. Really! If you already have, and then shifted to Coffee Day, I shall withdraw respectfully.

+1
Cothas and Tata coffee are far better than CCD stuff.

Also, there should be good quality coffee beans available in BLR. Get them and grind a small quantity everyday morning. The difference is tasted to be believed.

For those who love their coffee and is willing to spend some time for it take a trip to Madikeri /Koorg. A beautiful place to spend your weekend and while returning buy coffee beans (green/roasted according to your choice).

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

Ayyayyayyo!!! Saar! I was all ears until the 4th point! With all due respect, if you're using instant coffee then your filter coffee powder is NOT good enough, pure and simple! If you've got a 20-30% chicory blend, there is no need of this instant business. Preeti is a simple lady, she doesn't take too well to expensive stuff

On a serious note, have you tried the Cotha's or Bayar's blend? If not, please please do. Coffee Day powder is far from it. Really! If you already have, and then shifted to Coffee Day, I shall withdraw respectfully.

Its been a while since we tried Bayars or cothas . Must try it again. we used to get that years ago and i dont know why we shifted.

those bru and nescafe are just for kicks , or may be our coffee maker is old and is not as efficient as it used to be .

Are you talking about the cotha's available in ready made packet or freshly ground powder?

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

those bru and nescafe are just for kicks , or may be our coffee maker is old and is not as efficient as it used to be .

Are you talking about the cotha's available in ready made packet or freshly ground powder?

The consistency of the powder can also be instrumental in the quality of coffee you get from the filter. Our regular steel filters require a slightly coarse ground powder. If its very fine, it tends to pack very tightly when compressed, and filtration is very slow and tedious. Or the powder may just flow down through the holes.
For the Bialetti filters, a finer grind works too, since the powder is not compacted/compressed in the container.

Cothas/Bayars are available as pre-ground powders in vacuum-sealed packs, so some taste is preserved even if not opened for a while.

However, since you're in Bangalore, it would be best to visit a local coffee bean store and ask for a medium or coarse grind with 20% chicory (just for taste, nothing else). Works best with the good-ole filter.

And try to stay far far away from the CCD stuff. There's other things you can use for "kicks"

Cheers,
Rahul