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.
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I learned that Bialetti made it’s official trade debut in the US in 2001 at the International Housewares Show in Chicago. Thanks for the review and giveaway…I’d love to try coffee brewed from this!
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Pick me, your next winner!!. Starving artist here desperately needs coffee maker to drink.
Pink mukka Express purchases help supporting the fight against Breast Cancer.
I love how unique it is; it would be nice to be able to own one of these.
Th company was established in 1933.
I loved the stainless collection they had. I am a coffee freak! I would love to win the giveaway.
With thanks. Still yet another wonderful thread, this is the key reason why we come back to your internet site usually…
I know that my husband; who love to cook, would love their trendy
“Spice Cookware!” Both of us would enjoy the Italian Bialetti
Coffee Maker immensely!
Many thanks, Cindi
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Thanks very much…..Cindi
I love coffee and like to try it the many various ways which it can be brewed. Right now, I am into pressed coffee, so let’s try something new!
My wife love one of those. She alwasys ees them in Winners and asks if she can try it first….
This is a great coffee making device. My girlfriend has one and now my mother would ike one too.
Maybe if I thought coffee tastes good, I might try it!
I’ve only had perked or instant. This is something new.
Me and hubby love coffee no matter which way you brew it!
Sounds like there’s a trick to this. I’ve never heard of this method. What does it taste like?
I love coffee flavored anything!
I’ve seen so many fancy coffee pats in the stores these days and always wonder what it tastes like and how difficult they are to use.
The Bialetti is an awesome machine. I am so glad I got one, every morning I use it!