How does the Napoletana coffee maker work?!
Find out with us!
For over half a century now, ILSA has been producing the famous “cuccuma” at the Collegno factory in Turin. However, have you ever wondered how the Napoletana coffee maker works?
This particular product with its vintage look is a true piece of Italian cultural history. You don’t have to go that far to praise the Napoletana coffee maker. Just watch a few scenes from Vittorio De Sica’s film “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” where the beautiful Sophia Loren prepares coffee for Vittorio Gassman precisely using the “cuccumella” , complete with a“cuppetiello” (the paper cap that is placed over the spout to enhance the coffee’s aroma even more).
The ritual of making coffee with the cuccuma must be carried out calmly and following a few precise rules. Let’s see what they are!
How to make coffee with the Napoletana coffee maker:
- To open the coffee maker, lift the spouted part upward while holding the other part steady (C).
- Remove the filter unit (A+B); unscrew the filter (A) and fill the chamber (B) with coffee powder. Screw the unit back together.
- Fill the chamber (c) with water up to approximately 1/2 cm from the hole and reinsert the filter unit ensuring that the notch on it aligns with the small hole.
- Insert (like a lid) the part with the spout.
- Place the coffee maker on the heat source (the chamber C should be over the flame).
- Once it reaches boiling point, steam (and some water droplets) will come out of the small hole.
- Remove the coffee maker from the heat (1) and flip it (2) while holding firmly onto both handles.
- Wait for 3 minutes: the water from the chamber will percolate through the coffee grounds, allowing the coffee to be extracted.
- Serve by repositioning the lid!
Extra tips:
The first time you use the coffee maker, wash it thoroughly with hot water and make a few test coffees to flush it out.
Let’s recap the instructions and discover some tricks by answering the most frequently asked questions about using the Napoletana coffee maker:
How much water do I need to put in the Napoletana coffee maker?
There are different sizes of coffee makers, but the rule is always the same for all of them: water should be added up to half a centimeter below the small hole located in the body of the coffee maker.
Discover all the different types of ILSA Napoletana coffee makers!
When should I turn the Napoletana coffee maker?
Turning the cuccuma should only be done when steam starts to come out of the hole (never before). Steam indicates that the water inside has reached the boiling point and is therefore ready to percolate through the coffee to “extract” it.
Which coffee should I use for the cuccumella?
The ideal coffee for this type of extraction is coarsely ground, not as fine as the one used for a regular moka pot.
Does the Napoletana coffee maker exist for induction?
Yes, indeed! As of today, there is also the Napoletana coffee maker for induction! Made of 18/10 stainless steel and available in two sizes: 6 and 9 cups!
Watch the tutorials on how to use the Napoletana coffee maker:
GIALLO ZAFFERANO: “How to make coffee with the Napoletana coffee maker”
SONIA PERONACI: “How to use the Napoletana coffee maker”
DOLCITUTTALAVITA: “How to prepare coffee with the Napoletana coffee make” on Instagram reel.
COSTADORO: “The Napoletana coffee maker, a ritual with ancient origins.”
Original recipes to say the least!
MASSIMILIANO MATTONE, IL BARISTA DI CASA, PREPARES A COCKTAIL WITH THE NAPOLETANA COFFEE MAKER!
Did you know that the ILSA Napoletana coffee maker is traveling the world just like a real influencer? Check out some of the photos from the “Napoletana: The Journey” campaign!
