A9095/3 B La Cupola - Design Espresso Coffee Maker, Aluminum and Thermoplastic Resin, 3 Cups, Black Handle

Like the original Bialetti Moka Express these pots are modified percolators that build up a little pressure in the sealed lower chamber so that the coffee doesn't boil before migrating to the upper chamber for serving. The brew, a cross between espresso and regular coffee, is called mocha java or "moka" and is served practically everywhere in Italy. This particular pot is designed by Aldo Rossi for Alessi and is the largest of the 3 sizes available. Rossi also designed the $300 Alessi La Conica which is made of stainless steel with a copper bottom. This model is a similar design but constructed of thick, highly polished cast aluminum with an elegant and substantial handle. It's finely finished to the standard that you'd expect from an Alessi product and, after a couple initial throw away pots, makes an excellent brew. I buy Lavazza beans and use the same blend I use for espresso, but ground medium which produces a rich cup. You don't want to use an espresso grind as it's too fine and will silt your coffee. If you take cream or frothed milk you might want to use a darker roast that holds up to the dilution. illy makes a pre-ground "moka" blend that's reliably pretty good, though rather pricey. This is a premium product and the only downside is that it's a little unwieldy to wash. It should never be put in the dishwasher as the chemicals in the soap can oxidize the bare aluminum and turn it grayish black. A simple sponge and rinse in hot water is all that's needed along with a through towel drying before putting the top, bottom and funnel back together. Let it cool completely before disassembly and always clean the grounds from the funnel filter with a spoon as the compressed puck creates a vacuum seal in the lower chamber making funnel removal near impossible until the seal is broken. Finally, don't bang the funnel on a knock box or trash can like you might with a porto-filter because you'll put it out of round with the first whack, necessitating a replacement. While expensive for it's 6 demitasse capacity, I doubt you'll ever regret your purchase.

I love this little pot. I bought this size because I wanted to cut down on my daily cappuccinos. It looks great on the stove. This pot is far superior than the Bialetti I've been using, which blackens easily and doesn't look that great on the stove unless you're looking for a grunge look. lol The coffee tastes great, the crema is nice and frothy. The only down for me is it is very difficult to open. I try to remember not to tightened too hard when making a pot. If anyone has a recommendation for making it easy to open for cleaning, please, I'd love know.

Good looks matched by good performance. Makes excellent coffee.

This is a very well made appliance. It is easy to use and makes about 8 oz of espresso. It is easy to clean and I expect it will last for decades. I was trying to replicate espresso that I had in Paris and this has helped me to recreate it at home.

I love the design and ease of use of this coffee maker. And most importantly, the coffee was delicious. I just want to warn folks. When they say it makes 3 cups, they mean 3 ESPRESSO cups. It fills barely half of a standard coffee mug. But if you just need a little cup of good, hot coffee on a fall / winter day, this is an excellent and stylish choice.

A super nice top stove espresso from Italy.

When you are looking gor something, you do not want only one thing. This is an icon. Perfect coffee maker, good quality aluminum, it is also an architectural piece. Everybody should have it and enjoy. How cam we live without alessi and italian genius??

Makes good espresso, but take care with gas stoves as the modern ones have a large ring of fire, much larger than the base of the coffee pot,. Not only is the fire-ring waaay bigger than the pot, but the gap in the center of the iron stove-top ring is much bigger too. Therefore you need to precariously place the pot at the edge of the ring of fire, and take care not to let the whole thing tip into the gap of the iron ring on your stove (that iron thing that sits on top of the ring of fire that holds up your pots.) Aside for the above challenge, it's a good little thing. Pretty, and makes a good cuppa joe. Easy to clean, and makes a fast cuppa (6 minutes).