Prior to the invention of contemporary coffee-making techniques, including home-brewed espresso, French press, drip, Moka pot, and convenience store coffee, all one had to choose from for a cup of joe was either instant or percolator.
If you are familiar with lava lamps, roll-down car windows, and leaded gasoline, then it is likely that you have heard of coffee percolators.
This is the United States’ contribution to the world’s coffee culture, in addition to the drip-brewed coffee. People often joke about percolator coffee being something from the past. For decades, it has been the go-to choice for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the basic means of preparation, making large quantities of coffee, and have no desire for anything too extravagant like steam milk or rare types of coffee beans.
The advent of the Moka pot ushered in a new age for coffee. It was the closest approximation of espresso coffee created at home until the advent of machines specifically designed for making espresso in the home kitchen.
Does a Percolator Make Espresso?
In the past, Moka pots and percolators were referred to as ‘stovetop espresso makers’, but in reality, neither of them actually make espresso. Moka pot coffee however, is a lot closer to what espresso should be. Coffee pots that percolate have a much different brewing process than espresso; it takes longer and the pressure used is less, almost eliminating any oily extracts, so there is no crema. This process produces larger amounts of a milder roast with a more coarsely ground texture.
The sole characteristic of percolator brewed coffee which is similar to espresso is its intensity. Espresso is able to produce a strong flavor by utilizing pressure, whereas a percolator gets the same outcome through multiple cycles of percolation.
A Moka pot brews coffee that is closer to espresso than other brewing methods by grinding the beans much finer, using darker beans, and applying pressure similar to an espresso machine to pull out a bit of crema. The flavor of Moka pot coffee is more robust and has a distinct soil-like quality, although it is not the same as an espresso. If you require a more robust and intense beverage and have to pick between a Moka pot and a Percolator, the Moka pot will produce coffee that more closely fits your desired outcome.
Is a Moka Pot the Same as a Percolator?
The visual appearance of moka pots and percolators is similar, though their brewing methods and resulting coffee flavors are hugely diverse. They both have an enclosed space for holding water and necessitate an instantaneous heat source to force hot water upwards via pressure, but that is where the similarities come to an end.
The Moka pot creates flavor by pushing the pressure through the coffee puck whereas the percolator functions more similarly to a drip coffee maker where the hot water seeps in from the top to collect at the bottom of the pot.
Moka pot coffee has a strong, full-bodied taste, can be prepared quickly using darkly roasted beans, and it has a deep and slightly acidic flavor. Percolator coffee is much more similar to drip coffee than espresso since it is extracted for a longer period of time and from a course grind, which gives it a thinner and more astringent flavor.
The Moka Pot
In 1933, Alfonso Bialetti from Italy conceived the modest, uncomplicated coffee maker.
Moka pots were originally known as stovetop espresso makers and while the market is now saturated with manufacturers, Bialetti stands out as the first and foremost inventors.
One of the reasons it is so appealing to coffee enthusiasts is its affordability, enabling brewing of high-quality espresso in the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank, as many espresso machines require.
Alfonso Bialetti is credited as the originator of the Moka pot, and is seen as a symbol of Italian design. He created and perfected the model during the peak of Art Deco time and the main design has stayed intact until now. Italians have been relying on the Moka Pot for its robust and diverse flavor in their home kitchens for a number of years. It has come back into fashion as people have begun to prefer certain methods of roasting and blending.
The Percolator
You will be astonished to discover the age of the Percolator.
This brewing process, which has been present for many years, is generally referred to as the old-fashioned way of making coffee.
Joseph-Henry-Marie Laurens, a tinsmith from Paris, constructed the first up-to-date percolator in 1819. He founded it on the thought of creating hot water ascend via a tube to formulate a regular brewing process.
It was a groundbreaking accomplishment when it came out, and it swiftly replaced the usual method of making coffee in a saucepan.
The drip-coffee machine brought about a decline in its favor in the 1970s.
Even though it is old, the French invention continues to exist and be popular, with a group of devoted fans.
Joseph Henry-Marie Laurens, a tinsmith from Paris, originated the percolator pot. However, it was Hanson Goodrich who improved the current coffee percolator 70 years later and established its notoriety in America, thereby allowing folks in smaller communities remote from the major population centers to savor a decent cup of coffee.
These coffee makers evoke an old-timey vibe often affiliated with the classic Western movie and outdoor family camping. Their classic charm, however, is not quite as refined as some of the coffee produced today, as they make copious amounts of coffee with basic, tried-and-true methods.
Electric percolators make brewing percolator coffee simple, which allows for it to be more common in places that prioritize creating mass amounts quickly and easily. They were formerly seen often in shared kitchens, where they were simple to keep in good condition. Manual coffee makers are not as widely available anymore due to the increasing popularity of automatic drip machines, and automatic espresso is becoming more widespread.
How Are They Different?
Moka pots and percolators work on different principles. It’s possible to produce great coffee with either one, but it’s important to recognize the differences between them to ensure the proper beans, grind, and flavor are selected.
Moka pots produce a strong cup of coffee by forcing hot water up out of the below chamber and through a strainer into the top compartment through the use of pressure. The strength of the brewing is powerful despite not precisely being espresso-level, still enough to make a thick and intensely flavorful espresso-style beverage.
Percolators don’t generate the same amount of pressure as Moka pots because the latter forces the coffee grounds through the filter. Rather than using gravity, they force the water up from the reservoir through the top and it eventually winds its way down into the container beneath, passing through the coffee grounds on the way.
The Moka pot uses power of pressure to produce highly concentrated coffee within one brewing cycle, another significant distinction. The percolator works by continually moving the coffee through one chamber depending on the boiling duration, so you can determine how intense the taste should be.
The brewing temperature is an additional difference. Brewing coffee with a moka pot or espresso machine occurs at a temperature lower than boiling. In order for a percolator to work, hot water needs to be circulated through the coffee grind which makes the coffee stronger and stronger. Using a Moka pot will help steer clear of a bitter flavor because it has a shorter brew time.
Percolator coffee requires grinds that are not as fine as what is used in a drip coffee maker, but are instead slightly more coarse. The ground coffee is put into the filter holder and evened out, but it was more typical before for prepacked coffee to come in round shapes. A blade grinder is necessary to obtain the coarse ground coffee typically used in a percolator, as some burr grinders can only make the coarser grind used for drip coffee.
A percolator will create a batch of coffee which is usually comprised of multiple cups, while a Moka pot will make an individual serving. The Moka pot produces coffee quickly in around 60 seconds, whereas the stovetop percolator takes 5-7 minutes, or even more time for larger ones frequently used in places such as business meetings and conventions.
Percolators tend to function better on electric stoves than the Moka pot does, as electric stoves take an extended period of time to heat up. Percolators can do prolonged brewing at a low temperature, unlike a Moka pot which is just meant for immediate use.
Ease Of Use
Operating either a Moka pot or a percolator is relatively straightforward, depending on which kind you pick.
Fill up the coffee maker with water, add the grounds in the basket, and then place it on the stovetop. Let the magic happen!
No need for complicated clocks or thermometers since both machines will make a loud noise when the coffee is done. These selections do not necessitate the use of paper filters, making them ecologically sound.
In order to make coffee, all you will require are some coffee beans, a pot and something to provide heat.
Certain percolators are designed with an integrated heating mechanism that simplifies the process further by regulating the temperature, shutting off the machine when the coffee has cooked sufficiently.
Price
When you get your daily cup of joe in the morning, you are accomplishing more than just giving yourself a caffeine boost. You are enjoying yourself and having a great experience with both the percolators and Moka pots.
The cost of your coffee maker depends on a variety of factors, such as its size, brand name, and multiple great characteristics.
In comparison to a similar sized Moka pot, stovetop percolators are generally lower in cost. Even electric percolators are reasonably priced.
A Moka pot will also not break the bank.
Most Moka pots are more expensive than percolator pots. It is possible that the Moka pot is more complicated due to its greater number of components. Percolators have a simpler structure than Moka pots, resulting in them being less costly.
It’s possible that you might come across a percolator that is pricier than a Moka pot. Even so, Moka pots generally cost more than percolators.
Mechanism
An apparatus known as a percolator features one valve in which both the ground coffee and the water are introduced while preparing coffee.
In contrast, the Moka pot has three pieces that work cooperatively.
Grind Size
To get the best taste, you will require various coffee grounds for various brewing methods.
To obtain the most optimal outcome from the Moka pot, the coffee beans need to be ground finely.
Steam coming into immediate contact with the coffee grinds means that if the grinds are too coarse, the resulting cup of coffee will be weak and subpar.
A coarser grind of the beans is necessary when using the percolator as the coffee is prepared for a prolonged period, allowing the bigger particles to emit their flavor more gradually, thus producing a tastier cup of coffee in the end.
If you are using a finer grind size, you will have a strong and over-brewed coffee.
The Brewing Process
Preparing coffee using a Moka pot is a method that is very easy to understand and complete.
The brewer utilizes heated vapor to make a robust, full-bodied coffee that’s erroneously referred to as “stovetop espresso”.
Begin by pouring water into the bottom compartment, then add the freshly ground coffee to the filter holder, and assemble the whole contraption.
The Moka pot is put on the stovetop so that the heat can bring the water to a boil and create steam.
It will take around 4-5 minutes for the steam to generate enough pressure, unlike an espresso machine, to push the quality coffee into the tube, which will then fill the upper chamber.
Once you have finished making the coffee, take the pot off the stove and decant the liquid.
Making coffee with a percolator is a process that requires minimal effort; simply put everything together and wait for the coffee to brew.
This device utilizes a low pressure while in contact with a heat source to ensure a steady stream of coffee brewing.
To make your coffee, insert the ground coffee in the filter basket at the top of the percolator and fill the bottom chamber with water.
When you put the percolator over a source of heat, hot water ascends from the tube and spills out over the ground coffee, starting the brewing method.
Nevertheless, there is one major contrast: percolators do not store the brewed coffee.
Rather than the coffee flowing directly through the filter, it goes into the lower chamber where it is heated again, made into more coffee, and goes up a straw.
Coffee Taste
Coffee aficionados particularly focus heavily on the flavor testing experience.
Moka pots that are of good quality will provide a tasty espresso-like beverage that is strong and intense, and you can have it black or with cream and milk.
This is why they are also known as stovetop coffee makers.
The biggest downside of espresso is its occasional bitter flavor; nevertheless, this problem can be fixed by combining it with steamed milk to make a mocha or latte, or if you prefer americanos, then add some water.
Those partial to cappuccinos now have the ability to craft their go-to drink utilizing this coffee.
In order to create frothed milk, you will need a tool for frothing.
A little diplomacy is required while discussing Percolator coffee. Despite its powerful taste, people are not a fan of the flavor of this coffee.
The issue is over-brewing, which leads to over-extraction.
It employs temperatures that are much greater than average to brew the coffee, leading to a strong taste.
This type of coffee is prone to over-brewing, producing a strong, acrid beverage.
This is a great perk for coffee lovers who enjoy adding in sugary items or creamers.
Some coffee experts strongly believe that what they are drinking is not really coffee and think it is wrong to brew it many times.
They present a strong case because this process yields a markedly sour brew.
The Moka pot wins in a taste test.