Eagle-eyed viewers spotted a group of colorful moka pots from Bialetti, the original Italian stovetop coffee maker
From Mariah Carey to the Parade of Nations, there was no shortage of star power and spectacle at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. But one colorful moment stood out in particular, as a group of dancers dressed as espresso makers waltzed through the stage during a part of the festivities.
Eagle-eyed viewers immediately deduced that it was a Bialetti machine, the original Italian stovetop coffee maker. Founded in 1919, Bialetti was a pioneer of the moka pot, which uses hot water vapor pressure to brew ground coffee over a stove or open flame. Bialetti calls its model the “Moka Express” and it’s still one of the most popular ways to make coffee quickly and consistently in Italy and beyond (worth noting: the name “moka pot” is actually inspired by the city of Mokha in Yemen, which is famous for coffee production).
Social media lit up all weekend after users were able make out the moka pot from the Opening Ceremony festivities, while searches for “Bialetti moka pot” were up 20%, according to Google Trends.
Though it’s not clear if Bialetti was an official partner of the Opening Ceremony, the company does have a collection of Milano-Cortina merchandise on its website (currently only shipping to Europe). For everyone else, there are a number of Bialetti espresso makers available to ship in the U.S., including a few limited-edition models still available online.
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (6 Cup)
The original Bialetti Moka Express is still made in Italy with high-quality aluminum and with the same shape invented by company founder Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. This unit makes up to six cups (or shots) of espresso.
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (1 Cup)
I personally have been using this single cup moka pot at home and the same Bialetti unit I bought in college is still going strong some 20 years later. This unit pulls a 2 oz. espresso shot (about 60 ml.) and I usually add hot water to my espresso to make an Americano. The compact size is no larger than a large coffee mug which is convenient for my small studio space.
Bialetti Moka Express Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker (3 Cup)
The Bialetti espresso maker comes in a number of other colors including this black model. This one makes up to three cups of espresso.
Bialetti Moka Express: Bridgerton Edition
Just in time for the new season of Bridgerton, you can buy this Bridgerton-themed Bialetti, which captures the “essence of the Regency era,” with a cerulean blue colorway, gold handle and floral detailing. This limited-edition release is an officially-licensed collaboration between Netflix and Bialetti.
Primula Classic Stovetop Espresso and Coffee Maker
Want a Bialetti alternative? More than 1,000 shoppers have purchased this moka pot on Amazon in the last month, with reviewers giving it top marks for brewing strong and rich coffee, its compact size and its durable cast aluminum construction. Choose from multiple colors online.
Though there have been a number of other similar models released in recent years, the official Bialetti coffee maker features the iconic “Man With the Moustache.” The Bialetti Moka Express also has a patented design.
Coffee aficionados appreciate the moka pot for making strong, concentrated coffee thanks to the water-to-grounds ratio, and your coffee is usually ready in less than five minutes. Unlike K-cup or pod machines, there is no waste — the coffee grounds are compostable — and you can clean your moka pot easily with a little light dish soap and water.
One thing to keep in mind: while it’s often marketed as an “espresso maker,” a Bialetti or moka pot is not a true espresso machine since it uses less pressure than the bars it takes to produce a real espresso shot. It also won’t deliver the crema you would get from an actual espresso machine.
