Bialetti Venus Review

Bialetti is renowned as one of the leading brands of Moka pots, designed to replicate espresso-making at home.

We will see in this review if the Neewer model the venus is still a good coffee brewer especially compared to modern pods machines.

Who is Bialetti ?

They are widely credited with inventing the iconic angular device crafted from aluminum, the Moka. Recently.

Bialetti updated their Moka pots with the Venus model made out of stainless steal, which is now largely compatible with induction heat too.

How does a Moka Pot works ?

A Moka pot works on the principle of creating steam pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds, resulting in a coffee that is somewhat similar to espresso in strength and flavor.

Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. Water Chamber: The lower chamber of the Moka pot is filled with water up to the safety valve level.

2. Coffee Basket: The middle section is a funnel-shaped basket where finely ground coffee is placed.

3. Assembly: The top and bottom chambers are screwed tightly together.

4. Heat Application: The Moka pot is placed on a stove or other heat source. As the water heats up, steam pressure builds up in the bottom chamber.

5. Extraction: As the water reaches boiling point, steam is forced through the coffee grounds in the middle chamber. This extracts the coffee oils and flavors from the grounds.

6. Collection: The brewed coffee then travels up through a central spout and collects in the upper chamber of the Moka pot.

7. Final Product: The brewed coffee in the upper chamber is now ready to be poured and enjoyed.

The result is a strong coffee with a rich aroma and flavor, often described as having characteristics similar to espresso but not quite as concentrated. Moka pots are popular for their simplicity and ability to produce a coffee that’s stronger than drip coffee but not as intense as espresso from an espresso machine.

How it compares to other devices?

A Moka pot brews a coffee that falls between espresso and drip coffee on the strength spectrum. It closely resembles espresso in terms of its robustness, richness, and body, although it typically lacks crema.

The Bialetti Brikka, equipped with a heavier pressure valve, can produce a slight foam, offering a closer approximation to espresso’s texture.

Therefore, a Moka pot serves as an ideal balance between concentrated espresso and a more diluted drip coffee, addressing situations where the intensity of espresso can be overwhelming, akin to the potency of a straight shot of alcohol.

Why choose a Moka over other Coffee machines ?

The dream espresso machine the Lelit Bianca

The pros

I believe the most attractive benefit of the Moka pot is its straightforward brewing technique and affordability. It’s readily available for around 30 euros, yet you can easily find models of good quality at this price point.

It’s also notably compact compared to, for instance, an espresso machine. Moka pots are frequently taken along on camping trips, where a morning fire becomes the ideal companion for your coffee brewer.

When comparing it to an espresso machine, the difference in both price and portability is significant. Home espresso machines can range from 600 euros to as much as 4000 euros for high-end models.

Because the coffee is brewed upside down under pressure, the resulting liquid that have to travel upwards is naturally cleaner of particles compared to methods like a French press, which relies on gravity filtration and yet still have a very appreciable body.

In my view, Moka pots still produce better coffee than pods because they allow for freshly ground beans to be used. You can also have much more control over temperature, quantity, grind size and brewing times.

The cons

While the Moka pot is user-friendly, I find it lacks in ergonomics. For instance, its metal components become very hot during brewing, posing a risk when handling. It’s common practice to cool the bottom by running water over it immediately after brewing.

Cleaning a Moka pot can be somewhat time-consuming due to the need to remove the gasket and various metal filters. The most challenging part may be drying the upper section, which consists of both an upper and lower container.

It may not offer the same convenience as a Nespresso machine, but brewing with a Moka pot provides a more artisanal experience and yields a tastier coffee. I don’t think someone who goes to work on a tight schedule would bother with the process to be fair.

Why choose a Bialetti Venus?

The Venus is essentially an upgraded version of the Moka pot designed to work with induction heat, except for the 2-cup version.

Crafted from stainless steel, it provides enhanced durability and resilience compared to traditional aluminum Moka pots.

However, while aluminum is iconic and an excellent heat conductor, I believe induction heat offers a faster brewing experience than conventional radiant stoves.

However, I find that radiant and gas stoves offer more consistent heat, resulting in a more controlled brewing experience.

The challenge with induction is that it requires additional time adjustments during the brewing process to maintain a lower temperature, which, while not ideal, can be managed.

On the flip side, the Venus model can also be used on regular stoves. However, due to its thicker construction and non-aluminum material, it may take slightly longer to heat up and cool down.

The taste of the coffee through a Moka

This has been one of the best coffees I’ve made using this machine, hands down. I particularly appreciate that the coffee was nearly as robust as espresso, with a slightly higher temperature.

The depth and richness of the coffee truly surprised me. It had a strong, flavorful profile that was distinct without any bitterness, balanced with a pleasant level of sweetness.

The different sizes

Not being familiar with Moka pot sizes, I opted for the most affordable one on Amazon, which was the 6-cup version, and I have no regrets. I believe that if you’re going to take the time to brew your coffee and clean your Moka pot, you might as well make the equivalent of two double espressos, perhaps a bit more.

Interesting facts I’ve noticed about the process

With more experience, I believe I have understood some principles about using a Moka Pot. Please note that this is based on using an induction stove.

It’s important to apply pressure quickly so the coffee doesn’t remain at a high temperature for too long resulting in bitterness.
If the heat is too low, air will be generated in the flow, while too much heat will cause the process to reach the “angry phase” too quickly, ideally you have to to find a balance.
Extracting more liquid, ideally about two-thirds, will result in a more balanced and cleaner coffee flavor.
The “angry phase” with extremely hot water will extract more bitterness from your coffee, while a lower brewing temperature will result in higher acidity.
The longer it takes for your coffee to extract, the more likely it is to become bitter.
If you don’t hold enough pressure inside the pot the water will come with air at some point
The initial half portion of the coffee you pour will be the most bitter. The second cup will be more balanced, which is why it’s important to pour gradually into multiple cups at the same time.

Some cons

Occasionally, you’ll need to use white vinegar in the bottom container to clean off what appears to be mold that can build.

Verdict

8.8 out of 10.

As this product marks my introduction to Moka pots, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, especially considering this is the updated version.

Despite being a newer model, the Venus maintains the fundamental working principle of the original Moka pot, which I find quite remarkable.

I find the most intriguing aspect of Moka pots is that they allow you to engage in the process of grinding coffee beans and brewing, albeit with less complexity compared to espresso machines.

Nevertheless, I appreciate the ability to brew exceptional coffee for just 30 euros using equipment that most people probably already own. If not, you can always make a fire outdoors and still enjoy a great cup of coffee.