Moccamaster filter coffee makers are so popular and well-known that the name of this brand is nowadays used as a synonym for all filter coffee makers in general. Over the last few years, the popularity of filter coffee machines has only increased, so it should come as no surprise that in the circles of true coffee connoisseurs, discussions about Moccamaster are becoming more and more frequent.
“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee.” This is the motto that inspired Gerard Smit to found the Dutch company called Technivorm in 1964. Four years later, in 1968, the company developed the world’s first Moccamaster filter coffee maker, which quickly gained millions of fans all over the world. So, what’s the secret behind the phenomenal success of this brewing appliance?
Filter coffee makers had had a bad rep for quite a while before Moccamaster came around—this was due to how bitter the coffee they brewed used to be. What was the cause of this bitterness, you may wonder? Well, it was all due to boiling water. The first filter coffee makers used to boil it, then immediately let this boiling water pass through the coffee, which would inevitably burn the ground beans. The man behind Moccamaster managed to change this by using a unique copper heating element perfectly capable of creating the optimal brewing temperature of around 92–96 °C. Why is it optimal though? That’s because lower temperatures make the resulting brew taste exceedingly acidic, while higher temperatures add unwanted bitterness. Coffee brewed in a Moccamaster is just right, however: it’s hot, and it’s also delicious. Brewing duration is important too because this is what the intensity of your coffee depends on. Luckily, Moccamaster coffee makers boast the optimal setting in this respect too (around 4–6 minutes).
In addition to their unique heating element and the right brewing duration, these coffee makers offer other benefits too:
All coffee makers made by Moccamaster boast official certificates from two well-known international coffee organisations: the ECBC (European Coffee Brewing Centre) and SCA (Specialty Coffee Association). These certificates are issued to appliances that meet the Golden Cup coffee brewing standards, which involve the following:
Certificates like these are important, as they’re only awarded to products that have undergone extensive quality control and numerous lab tests.
These coffee makers are manufactured with sustainability in mind. All Moccamaster appliances are made using durable materials of the highest quality. Moreover, they can be recycled, repaired and cleaned. They also contain no phthalates or BPA/BPS/BPF.
These filter coffee machines operate very quietly. Plus, Moccamaster has its coffee makers assembled by hand in the Netherlands.
Moccamaster filter coffee makers are very easy to use. We’ve laid out some basic guidelines for you below. IMPORTANT: before using your new coffee maker to brew your first serving, run a few cleaning cycles using regular water.
Your Moccamaster will do the majority of the work for you—however, there are still a few important nuances you’ll need to know to brew the perfect cuppa every time.
All filter brewing methods involve water staying in contact with coffee for a fairly long time, which is why a certain type of coffee is required. The first thing to consider is the roast level. The darker the roast, the more easily and quickly the flavours are absorbed. Coffee of this kind works perfectly when brewing an espresso. However, if poured into a filter coffee maker, dark-roasted coffees can result in an unpleasantly bitter, exceedingly intense drink. Fans of filter coffee should go for medium or light roasts instead. The packaging of some beans even expressly indicates they’re suited for filter coffee makers or filter brewing tools. As far as the grind is concerned, it’s all quite similar. The finer the grind of your coffee, the more readily it releases its flavours, and the better suited it is for the espresso brewing method. When using filter coffee makers, go for a medium to coarse grind. You’ll find coffees like that here.
Coffee is always at its best when it’s freshly ground. That’s why we always suggest our clients get a quality coffee grinder and grind beans right before preparation: if you’re looking to experience everything your coffee has to offer, this is the only way to get there (you can read more about it here).
Your best bet is always high-quality specialty coffee. Specialty varieties boast particularly rich flavours and aromas, and these are unveiled splendidly by filter brewing methods. Keep in mind though that filter brewing methods make any defects in your coffee just as evident, so it’s more crucial than ever for fans of filter brews to go for fresh, quality coffee.
For the finest possible results, Moccamaster suggests using oxygen-bleached filters and avoiding reusable ones (they often fail to ensure consistent extraction, and they’re difficult to keep clean). It’s always a good idea to go for original Moccamaster filters: you can find and buy them here.
As long as your brewing water tastes good, so will the brew it results in. You can use fresh tap water, or filtered/bottled water. Avoid using water that’s been distilled or purified with the help of reverse osmosis: it can end up damaging the brewing unit.
You’re unlikely to go wrong by choosing the coffee-to-water ratio approved by the Specialty Coffee Association (55 g of coffee per 1 l of water), but don’t forget that coffee’s always a matter of personal taste. Here’s a handy tip: if your brew is too strong for your taste, simply add some hot water to it.
If you’re using a filter coffee maker with a capacity of 8–10 cups, you should be brewing at least 4 cups at once to obtain the required balance of flavours.
Only a well-maintained coffee maker will keep serving you with truly delicious coffee for years to come.
Coffee does, in fact, contain a fair amount of oil. When you brew coffee day in and day out, these oils eventually turn into oil deposits that cover the walls of the carafe, as well as the filter holder of your coffee maker. That’s why we recommend cleaning the carafe and holder at least once a month. For maximum efficiency, use special cleaning tablets: simply pop a tablet into the carafe, pour water over it, leave it for 10–20 minutes, and rinse well using clean water. Then do the same with the filter holder.
It’s also important to regularly descale your coffee maker. This should be done every 100 brewing cycles (or each time you finish a box of paper filters, as most boxes contain 100 units), or once every three months at least. Use a special coffee machine descaler for this purpose (other descalers may damage your coffee maker or fail to remove all limescale deposits). Once you’ve descaled your appliance, make sure to let two reservoirs full of water pass through the coffee maker before brewing drinks again: this will help you get rid of any leftover descaler.
Important! Limescale deposits are the most common cause of coffee machine malfunctions. If enough limescale has accumulated within the system, it may slow down the water flow (sometimes even preventing water from flowing altogether) or cause the temperature of the brewing water to drop, hence damaging the entire brewing process.
We hope you’ve learned something new about Moccamaster filter coffee makers! If any of your questions have been left unanswered or if you’re interested in exploring other types of coffee machines, don’t hesitate to reach out to Coffee Friend’s consultants. They’re always ready to provide assistance and guide you in selecting the perfect coffee machine to suit your preferences.
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