La Bella Macchinetta
Posted By Mary Freeland on February 2, 2011
What was made in Italy in the early 1930’s, looks great in your kitchen and makes a fabulous cup of coffee? (I mean, besides Sophia Loren…)
The Italian stove-top coffee maker – sometimes called a “Moka” or “Macchinetta”. First patented in 1933 by Luigi di Ponti for Alfonso Bialetti, this little gem produces espresso-like coffee right on your range top, through the use of steam pressurized water. Stronger than a drip or percolator but not quite as strong as espresso, coffee brewed in a macchinetta is rich, flavorful and aromatic. The process forces steam from the lower chamber or boiler up through the grounds and into the upper chamber. This allows for a high rate of extraction of caffeine from the ground coffee, so a cup of “macchinetta caffe” can pack a wallop!
The striking design of that first Bialetti Moka has remained unchanged, and is now easily recognizable throughout the world. In many Italian families the ten-sided, angular pot is a kitchen staple – a familiar site on generations of stovetops. While the originals are made of aluminum, you may also find stainless steel versions at gourmet or specialty stores. Sizes range from one cup to eighteen cup capacity, and prices from as little as ten dollars to a hundred. Regardless of your choice, you can be assured that using your own macchinetta will transport you to another time…deliciously!
Meta Inverno Anice Caffe (Mid Winter Anise Coffee)
(Follow manufacturer’s instructions for amount of coffee to use based on size of your macchinetta.)
· Strong finely Ground Coffee (I use Caffe Kimbo)
· Ground Chicory Root
· Dried Anise Seed or Dried Star Anise
· Freshly Ground Nutmeg
· Whipped Heavy Cream
Fill lower chamber of macchinetta to line with cool water. Fill basket ¾ full with ground coffee, ¼ with ground chicory. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon anise over the chicory and brew.
Gently fold ½ teaspoon nutmeg into whipped cream, add a dollop to your steaming mug of coffee. Enjoy with a nice biscotti and chase away those bleak midwinter blues!
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