Is ‘Italian” synonymous with “design”? Perhaps my husband could help answer that question. A proud European to the core, he practically shuddered with delight when a Bialetti Moka Express arrived in our home. Was I excited too? Yes, I adore coffee, especially any with a European preparation involved, but for my husband it meant a glimpse of home. He even researched the little unit and discovered the Bialetti is a 70-year-old Italian design icon, found in most Italian kitchens. And a big hurrah was let out from the man who yearns for something more lasting (and more Old World) these days.
So what is this Bialetti? Envision a simple coffee pot that brews espressos and prepares unbelievable coffee-house style coffee on your stovetop, without electricity, loud whirring noises, or attitudinal, heavily-pierced baristas rolling their eyes at you. If you wanted an espresso machine but didn’t want to cough up hundreds of dollars for the countertop hogging unit of your dreams, this darling Bialetti takes up no more than a few inches of space and starts at only $19.95, well worth every dime. Mine stays on the stove because it’s just that darned charming looking! And the coffee? Let’s put it this way: Since the Bialetti Moka Express’s arrival, my cappuccino machine has been in storage. The operation is simple. Place water in the bottom portion, fresh ground coffee in the strainer, screw on the top half, and set the unit on low heat until all the water from the bottom has found its way to the top. (I wait for this pleasant little gurgling sound; then I know my coffee is waiting.) The results is smooth, heavenly coffee with no grounds to chew around. I haven’t prepared a bad brew yet! It’s very consistent in its results, with the simplicity of the unit most likely its secret.
And my Euro husband? He used to work for an American movie company overseas and says this: “I did see the Bialetti Moka Express sometime in 1993, and had a taste of the coffee it produced. It was a great starter for a hard working day. And it was three Italians that brought this wonderful coffee maker to the film crew. A lot of us gathered there to jumpstart the day. Gianni was brewing, Aldo would comment and Adolfo would bless it, the rest would drink and wish for more.” I’d say that sums it up nicely! With no Adolfo for the blessing, though, I’ll just have to thank heaven each morning myself.
Want to win your own Bialetti Moka Express? The people of Bialetti are kindly offering one to a lucky carp(e) libris reviews reader!
Multiple Options for Multiple Entries:
1.) Just visit Bialetti and tell me something you liked or learned about the company or their products. (You may enter once a day.) Remember, leave an interesting comment. If I cannot contact the winner, you might be chosen instead based on your comment.
2.) Blog about, Twitter, and/or Subscribe! Get an extra entry for each of these activities. Blog about and/or Twitter this giveaway with a link to the post. Subscribers to carp(e) libris reviews and get an entry too! Just leave a separate comment for each, giving me a link to your blog post, your Twitter name, and/or a note saying you’re a subscriber. SUBSCRIBE HERE!
(Psst! My Twitter name is dkMommy.)
Feel free to do all four to gather multiple entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, to enter.
subscriber
Twittered here
http://twitter.com/mommyjen99/status/2128117477
They have a really cute cow print Cappuccino maker!
Thanks for offering this contest. Hope we win.
Bialetti takes up no more than a few inches of space
The use cutting edge design, materials, and colors to appeal to a whole new audience of cookware buyers which makes them so.
How nice that the company works with the breast cancer foundation! I love a company that gives back!
The company dates back to 1933! Thanks for the chance.
What a classic coffee maker. Would love to win it.
Here is my daily entry. I like that it’s hard to make a “bad” cup of coffee with this. Nobody likes watery coffee!
happy friday
I like that they’re easy to repair – no trashing the whole coffeemaker if one part malfunctions!
Friday’s Tweet
For a Coffe Maker So Sweet
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/2133840777
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
(in Canada)
I love the space-saving features of this coffeemaker. With the counter rapidly filling up with my Mom’s special diet stuff, I need all the space I can get.
they’re renowned for combining the best of italian quality, style and design with functional problem solving features that consumers want.
bialetti makes all kinds of cookware, not just coffee pots
They have such neat products!
daily entry for june 12 – thanks!
i subscribe still neeed that coffee LOL friday 12th entry
The Dama stovetop espresso maker is now available as a special Pink-Edition.A portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
great prize
I love the classic Italian tools and gadgets. I want all of them!
I’m a subscriber!
Friday entry and thanks for the giveaway! This would be so great to win! Have a nice evening!:)
I’d like to win this
6/12 entry. Thanks!
I love the Pink Dama coffee maker.
I subscribed.
Man, the cow-spotted cappuccino Bialetti is SO CUTE. I like the stainless one even better (matches everything), but the cow-spotted one deserves mad props for being a witty design statement that makes perfect sense.
Shoppistas last blog post..Goosie Wool Felt Appliqué Pillow ($70)
saturday entry
The Moka Express can be found in 90% of Italian households.
Bialetti’s “Cuor di Moka” will provide you with a perfectly smooth and rounded flavor by extracting only the pure essence of your espresso.
The fact so many Italians use this means I can get a great cuppa.
daily entry for june 13 – thank you!
uses the highest grade aluminum
I tweeted this giveaway again!
I love coffee!
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/2155546231
Thanks
anne_c_taylor@hotmail.com
(in Canada)
happy saturday
I love their garlic press!
I like the Pink Mukka Express and that part of the proceeds sold on this go to the NBCF
electricisland(at)gmail.com
I learned that the Mkka Express can be found in 90% of Italian households
I like pink cookware set. So cute!
I love that Bialetti has teamed up with the Breast Cancer Foundation. Being Italian, I already have a stovetop espresso maker, but alas, it is not a Bialetti! It is on its last legs – the water no longer all comes to the top – so I would LOVE to win this!
Wow. The moka express can be found in 90 percent of italian homes! If that doesn’t convince this is a great product for coffee…what will?
I’d love to win this
I learned that the little man on the pot has been around since 1933 and his name is L’Omino.
I’m subscribed.
Tweet! http://twitter.com/AsTheNight/status/2158607805
I also like the Pizza Cutter, Pizza Server and Lasagna Server. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
i subscribe my daily entry sat the 13th
NEED COFFEE
it’s so cute! I love that they’ve been around for so long but are just recently being available in the US