In this article, we’ll explain how one of the easiest ways to make coffee was invented.
Almost 90% of Italian families prepare coffee in a geyser coffee maker these days, however, the first similar device appeared in France in 1827.
Geyser coffee maker working principle.
The main components include a water tank, which is located at the base of the Moka pot brewer, the vessel for a finished drink, and a filter that is worn on a container and serves to pour coffee into.
Under the influence of high temperature and increased pressure, the water vapor passing through the funnel with the ground coffee rises to the top of the appliance.
First French Inventions
In 1822, Louis-Bernard Babaut created a device that, under pressure, made steam pass through a layer of ground coffee. He suggested that more coffee could be prepared under the steam boiler pressure.
The idea was reviewed by the Paris Academy of Sciences, but never saw the light of day.
5 years later, Jacques-Augustin Gandet built the first steam-pressurized coffee maker, which included 2 containers, a filter, and a tube - through which was needed for the hot water to pass from one container to another, after penetrating the layer of ground coffee.
Parker Steam Fountain
In 1833, the British Samuel Parker patented his version of the coffee maker which became known as a “Parker Steam Fountain” and actually looked very similar to the modern ones.
His creation included an alcoholic burner, a filter for ground coffee, 2 vessels for water, and a finished drink.
Later one Viennese craftsman decided to improve the design of the device later on by adding a handle and a porcelain stand. As a result, the name got changed to the “Viennese” coffee maker.
Italian company Bialetti
In 1933, Luigi de Ponti and Alfonso Bialetti created a coffee machine called the “Moka Express”, based on Parker's steam fountain. The first Bialetti geyser coffee makers were made out of aluminum with plastic handles.
Alfonso Bialetti with Moka Express prototype. source: wikipedia.org
Moka gained popularity in Italy because anyone could prepare the same delicious coffee at home instead of going to coffee shops. It became very common in the 30s of the last century - the economic crisis did not make it affordable for Italians to visit cafes as often as before.
During the World War II, Bialetti was forced to suspend production and sales of coffee makers resumed in 1945. That was the time when Moka Pot Brewing reached the peak of its popularity and was especially favored by Italians.
As claimed by the company, about 200 million devices have been sold to date.
Moka Express has set foot in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most popular coffee maker and remains the leader in the production of Moka pot brewer to this day.
Modern geyser coffee makers
Geyser coffee maker is one of the easiest ways to make coffee at home.
You can find the recipe and how to brew it in our Brewing methods Guideline.
Even though different kinds of modern geyser coffee makers exist on the market, some examples include: stainless steel devices, coffee makers with a ceramic or glass upper container, as well as with a transparent plastic lid; the traditional Italian-made aluminum coffee maker still remains to be the leader.