Makin' Coffee

I have a hand-me-down coffeemaker from a previous volunteer, but unless I'm brewing for more than just me, I like to pretend that I'm roughing it in a thatch hut on the side of a windy mountain. So I use this:

Have you ever seen one of these? They're called moka pots. They were patented in 1933 in Italy. Having one makes me feel cool.

For the longest time, these things baffled me. How could it be possible to brew coffee in one of these without defying the laws of physics? I wanted to open one up and look inside, but I never got the chance. So I just believed in the power of magic and coffee.

But now, I have one. And I can show you how they work. And guess what? The process follows the laws of physics, and it's still magical.

Ready?

Step 1: Unscrew the moka pot and fill the bottom compartment with water.

Step 2: Put in the tube thingy...

...which is capped with a filter:

Step 3: Heap a few spoonfuls of coffee on top of the filter.

Step 4: Screw on the top and put on the stove!

The top also has a filter, so the coffee grounds are effectively sandwiched between two filters.

Step 5: Wait for coffee to percolate.

Percolate...percolate...percolate...

...here's where the physics comes in: something about water reaching a boiling point, and then it rises through the filter, through the coffee grounds, and into the upper chamber of the moka pot...

...and before you know it, you've got a nice strong cup of coffee to start the day. Good morning, sunshine!