history of the world famous Bialetti moka pot, ouritalianjourney.com

 

Bialetti Moka Pot

The famous Bialetti Moka Pot… I’m sure you know what it looks like. When most people think of Italy a few things come to mind. Food, wine, culture, and coffee. Coffee is highly revered by all Italians but it wasn’t introduced to Italy until the early 17th century. It wasn’t very popular since coffee was thought of as an Arab affectation and the church called it exotic and threatening. It was an “Eastern thing.”

This post contains affiliate links that help keep this website running. By purchasing through our links, we make a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for your support!

History of the world famous bialetti moka coffee pot. https://ouritalianjourney.com/history-world-famous-bialetti-moka-pot
photo credit: atlasobscura.com
 

History

Until the 19th century, coffee in Italy was brewed the Turkish way which was putting the coffee and water into a long-handled pot called a cezve. You then would bring it to a boil and serve it in small cups with the grinds settling to the bottom.  In the early 19th century Italians started to brew coffee in a new way.

Mr. Angelo Moriondo designed an espresso (not expresso) machine that used steam and forced water to make coffee. The problem was the machine was even bigger than those used in restaurants and coffee bars today. Therefore, he never produced or marketed this machine.

History of the world famous bialetti mok coffee pot. https://ouritalianjourney.com/history-world-famous-bialetti-moka-pot
photo credit: atlasobscura.com

In 1906, Mr. Pavoni introduced his machine at the World’s Fair held in Milan. It was called the “La Pavoni” and it was a big hit. It made such a hit at the World’s Fair that Mr. Pavani started manufacturing and selling espresso machines throughout Italy. But the problem still remained that his machine was too large for use in the home. Consequently, he only sold them to restaurants and coffee bars.

 

 Bialetti Moka Pot

In 1918 a Piedmontese metal worker named Alfonso Bialetti returned home to Italy after a trip from France where he learned how to work with aluminum. He started a business crafting pots and pans out of aluminum and in 1933 he patented his “Bialetti Moka Express.” It was a three-chambered pot using steam power to force water up through the coffee chamber and into the top reservoir making that wonderful liquid we call espresso. Its hourglass shape and eight flat-sided design never changed and are still what you find today. The best part is that it was small enough and inexpensive so every Italian household could afford one. As a result, it became very popular with Italians everywhere.

History of the world famous bialetti moka coffee pot. https://ouritalianjourney.com/history-world-famous-bialetti-moka-pot
Renato Bialetti
photo credit: atlasobscura.com | courtesy of Bialetti

 

Bialetti History Continues

Alfonso’s son Renato took over the family business in 1946. He decided to stop manufacturing pots and pans and just make the Bialetti Moka Express coffee pots. It was in 1958 that the company logo was designed. It was “The little man with the Mustache” (L’omino con I baffi) and is still used today. By 1990 the Bialetti Moka Express could be found in over 90% of Italian households throughout the world. They could be found in cities with large Italian populations like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and countries like Argentina, Australia, and even Cuba. Renato Bialetti died in 2016 and was buried in a large replica of the Bialetti Moka Express complete with the “Little man with a mustache” logo.

History of the world famous bialetti moka coffee pot. https://ouritalianjourney.com/history-world-famous-bialetti-moka-pot
photo credit: atlasobscura.com

 

“Our Italian Journey,” is a memoir written during a year in Italy experiencing the seducing charm of the country, twists and turns, and humorous moments along the way. This experience changed our lives forever. Join us and let us be your guide to some of the most beautiful places in Italy.
🏆Awarded: Author Shout, Top Pick 2025
🏆Awarded: Author Shout, Recommended Read 2022

Our Italian Journey is now a paperback and audiobook, narrated by the authors themselves! ouritalianjourney.com

“When Your Heart Finds Its Home” is a stand-alone memoir but also a continuation of Ilene & Gary’s first book, “Our Italian Journey.” The possibilities of a new home came to fruition for them when they finally found their “perfect Italian town.”
🏆Awarded: Author Shout, Recommended Read 2024

When Your Heart Finds Its Home travel adventure memoir by Ilene and Gary Modica - ouritalianjourney.com

Today

Unfortunately, with the advent of the Nespresso-type machines using pods, cheap knockoffs from China, and places like Starbucks becoming popular, sales of the iconic Bialetti Moka Express started falling. Almost to the point of near bankruptcy. In fact, the company is still struggling to this day.  I can’t imagine this iconic symbol of Italy disappearing forever and I hope to never see that day.

You can find the world’s most popular coffee pot in the Museum of Modern Art, the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Guinness Book of World Records.


How to use a Bialetti Moka Pot?
Official Bialetti Use of Moka Pot


Personal Note

We owned a Nespresso machine and had coffee from Starbucks back in the USA. Neither compares to the flavor of espresso made in a Bialetti Moka Express. Every apartment we’ve rented in Italy has one. We use this little pot every day and will continue using one to make our espresso.

ouritalianjourney.com
ouritalianjourney.com
History of the world famous bialetti moka coffee pot. https://ouritalianjourney.com/history-world-famous-bialetti-moka-pot

2 Comments

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You might also enjoy: