Want a bold, full-bodied cup of tea with real strength behind it? If you have a stovetop moka pot at home, try brewing tea in it. A moka pot pushes hot water up through the leaves under gentle pressure, and the result is a rich, concentrated brew that's wonderful on its own or as the base for a black tea latte.
What kind of tea works best in a moka pot?
In our experience, black tea is the best fit. It's fully oxidized, so it holds up to the high heat and pressure of a moka pot and still tastes smooth and malty. Green and white teas are much more delicate; at these temperatures they tend to turn bitter or grassy, so save them for gentle steeping in a cup or teapot.
Small, broken-leaf black teas are especially good here because they release their flavor quickly. Our Irish Breakfast is a CTC tea (cut, tear and curl) made from Assam and Kenya teas, and its tiny pellets pack evenly into the moka pot basket. English Breakfast and Assam Hunwal are also great choices if you love a malty, robust cup with milk.
How to brew tea in a moka pot
Fill the base with hot water. Starting with hot water shortens the time the leaves sit over the heat. Fill only to just below the safety valve.
Add the tea to the filter basket. Fill the basket with tea leaves and level them off with a spoon. Don't press or tamp the leaves down, and don't overfill the basket.
Assemble the pot. Screw the top section on firmly (use a towel, since the base will be hot) and set the pot on the stove.
Heat over medium. Keep the flame or burner at medium, and make sure it doesn't reach up around the handle.
Watch for the first trickle. Take the pot off the heat as soon as tea starts dribbling out of the spout. The remaining heat will push the rest of the tea through.
Pour and enjoy. Moka pot tea is strong and concentrated, so you can drink it as is, top it up with a little hot water, or add steamed milk for a creamy tea latte.
Tips for the best moka pot tea
Adjust the strength. If the tea is too strong, use a little less tea in the basket next time rather than packing it tighter.
Keep it clean. Rinse the basket and gasket well after each brew so tea residue doesn't build up or flavor your coffee.
Sweeten to taste. A spoonful of honey or sugar goes well with the bold, malty flavor, especially in a latte.
Prefer a more traditional cup? See our tips for brewing the perfect cup of black tea, or try making a tea espresso and cappuccino with your espresso machine. You can find all of our loose-leaf black teas here.
When tea starts dribbling out, take the pot off the stove.
