Neapolitan flip coffee pot facts for kids
The Neapolitan flip coffee pot is a special kind of coffeemaker. People in Italy used it a lot in the past. It's also known as a napoletana or cuccumella. This pot makes coffee on the stove. It works differently from other coffee makers. For example, a Moka pot uses steam pressure. But the napoletana uses gravity. This means water drips through the coffee grounds naturally.
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The Story of the Neapolitan Coffee Pot
This unique coffee pot was invented in 1819. A Frenchman named Morize created it. The first pots were made from copper. Later, in 1886, they started using aluminum. It got its name from the city of Naples. This is because Morize was in love with a girl from Naples. The name cuccumella comes from the word "cuccuma". This word means "copper or terracotta vase".
How the Neapolitan Coffee Pot Works
The napoletana has three main parts. There's a bottom section for water. A filter section sits in the middle. You put finely ground coffee in this filter. On top, there's an upside-down pot.
Making Coffee Step-by-Step
First, you fill the bottom part with water. Then, you put coffee grounds in the filter. Place the upside-down pot on top. Heat the pot on your stove. When the water boils, you flip the whole coffee maker over. This lets the hot water drip through the coffee grounds.
Serving Your Coffee
Once all the water has dripped through, you remove the bottom and filter sections. The coffee is now ready. You can serve it directly from the remaining pot. If you use coarse coffee grounds, the coffee will be mild. Using very fine grounds makes a stronger coffee. This is similar to the "Neapolitan" style.
The Cuppetiello: Saving Aroma
The cuppetiello is a small paper cone. People in Naples use these cones for many things. For example, they might hold food in them. For the coffee pot, the cuppetiello goes over the spout.
Why Use a Cuppetiello?
Its main job is to keep the coffee's aroma. The coffee can take up to 10 minutes or more to drip. The paper cone helps trap the wonderful smell. To make one, you just fold a small piece of paper. Eduardo de Filippo, a famous Italian, described the cuppetiello. He also wrote about how important coffee is in Naples.
Modern Designs of the Classic Pot
The Italian designer Riccardo Dalisi redesigned this classic pot. He started his work in 1979. His new design became very popular. It went into production in 1987 for Alessi. These pots have become popular again. Now, companies like Ilsa also make them. They are often made from stainless steel.
