The moka pot is a stove top espresso coffee maker, based on the principle of preparing coffee with steam pressurized water. First patented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, his company Bialetti continues to produce the same model known as the "Moka Express". The moka pot is most commonly used in Europe, and has become known as an iconic design, displayed in modern industrial art museums, such as the Science Museum in London.

Mokas come in different sizes, from one to eighteen 50 ml cups. The original design was made from aluminium with bakelite handles. Water is poured in the boiler (marked A in the diagram) and the funnel-shaped metal filter (B) is inserted.

Finely-ground coffee is added to the filter as shown below. The upper part (C, which has a second metal filter at the bottom) is tightly screwed on the base. By placing the pot on a heat source, the water is brought to boiling point creating steam in the boiler.

A gasket ensures a tightly closed unit and allows for pressure to safely build up in the lower section, where a safety valve provides a necessary release in case this pressure should get too high (with clean filters, that should not happen).

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