Bialetti Moka Express stovetop espresso maker

The Bialetti Moka pot is a cultural icon of Italian industrial design. Invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, it revolutionized the way coffee was brewed at home by using steam pressure to push water through ground coffee. The distinctive octagonal shape was designed to help diffuse heat perfectly to enhance the aroma of the coffee.

While the brand remains deeply rooted in its Italian heritage, production today is multifaceted. The classic aluminum Moka Express models are still widely manufactured in Italy to maintain the 'Made in Italy' prestige, whereas certain stainless steel models and electric versions are produced in other locations, including Romania and China. The brand is instantly recognizable by 'L'omino con i baffi' (the little man with the mustache), a caricature of the founder's son, Renato Bialetti.

Currently, the brand is owned by Bialetti Industrie S.p.A., a publicly traded company on the Italian stock exchange. The company continues to lead the market in stovetop coffee makers while expanding into small kitchen appliances and branded coffee capsules.