Mukka Cappuccino express
Hi, Just got, and started working with the Bialetti Mukka Cappuccino Express. This is another interesting, well-made product from the makers of the Brikka pot (which I also own and use). Tried it a few times and it works just as described. I like cappuccino and was making coffee in the Brikka pot and frothing the milk seperately. Since the Brikka worked so well, I thought I would try this product as well.
This pot is not for anyone who finds mechanical devices challenging. The valve that controls the steam can be a bit of a puzzle. Although the valve fits well and requires no special effort to mount, it must be aligned and fitted according to the instructions. The way the valve is fitted is very hard to describe in words, although once you have the nack there is no problem. For impatient types there is a real temptation to force and break things. You load water and coffee like the Brikka. The milk is poured into the top section of the pot. A black plactic valve is mounted onto the center post inside the top part. The button is pressed down about 1/8" to activate the pot for the frothing sequence in the brewing. The valve is a much more sophisticated device than the weight in the Brikka pot. Milk is loaded into the top chamber to a level that is well marked. The Mukka requires somewhat more heat that the smaller Brikka. I have a European designed gas cooktop with burners that are perfect in size and heat output. The flames form a circle about 2.5 '' in diameter ideal to focus heat on the bottom of the Mukka or the Brikka. Because of the match between the burner and the pot bottom the brewing process takes place within 3-4 minutes and the finished product is hot. I use a Solis Maestro Plus conical grinder to grind the coffee beans. I feel the Mukka works best with a grind just a small bit coarser than espresso grind, same as for the Brikka pot. After you put the pot on the burner, it takes 2-2.5 min until the valve pops up. The coffee quickly enters the top and mixes with the milk. Then steam is injected into the mix for close to a minute producing a loud hissing churning sound. When the noise of the steam mostly dies off it is time to serve the finished cappuccino. One pot just fills my 14 oz. mug. As the pot is cooled a partial vaccuum forms inside the pot, which makes disassembly difficult. Removing the valve ends the problem. Come to think of it, I found a similar condition with the Brikka pot. Lifting the weight eases things as well.
Aaron
Posted by nghy on Mon, Mar 30, 2009, 19:02 Permalink
Article category: Other gadgets
Article keyword: Cappuccino
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Mukka --> Brikka: I've had my Mukka Express for a month or two now, and I love it. This was my first experience with moka pot coffee, but all the videos I watched convinced me that I had to have one. I can brew two large cups of cappuccino in less time than it takes to warm up my espresso machine ... largely unattended.
I can prepare breakfast, or pack a lunch while the coffee brews behind me on the stove. It only takes a few moments to clean up (after I've finished my cappa).
I've also brewed straight espresso simply by leaving out the milk: the "turbo frother" pressure nozzle froths up the plain coffee quite nicely ... but, I wanted to try the Brikka to compare. Since the Brikka is designed to brew crema/espresso I'm really curious to see the difference.
I won a 2-cup Brikka on eBay just yesterday (for about half the retail price), and I should have it some time next week.
Tom.
Beans: Home roasted or store-bought
Grinder: La Pavoni Zip, Zassenhaus hand mill
Espresso: Gaggia Coffee
Moka: Bialetti Mukka Express (and soon: Brikka)
Other: French press, Aerobie Aeropress, Drip
Posted by tmaynard on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, 12:52
Mukka sans milk:
tmaynard: How does the Mukka compare to the Brikka for making coffee with "crema" (Mukka without milk)? I'll be receiving my 2-cup Brikka this morning via FedEx.
Posted by rule870 on Tue, Dec 22, 2009, 10:39
This site is powered by the people powered by the good caffeine of the Brikka coffee.
This site is not related to the Bialetti corporation, but we still cheer and love their products!