When asked to test the 9Barista espresso machine, I couldn’t fathom why a brewer that looked like a modern moka pot would cost north of $700. After months with the 9Barista Pro espresso machine , I found the company’s claim that you can make true espresso on your stovetop to be more than just marketing flair.

The British-made manual brewer is a study in simplicity, if you call a system that fits in one hand and uses the same principles as a jet engine “simple.” While I’m not sure I’d be willing to drop that much on a 9Barista — in fact, I’m sure I wouldn’t — I can see why someone with the means and an appreciation for simple, sophisticated engineering might.

9Barista espresso vs. moka pot coffee

Moka pots are a classic stovetop method of making strong coffee that resembles espresso. These metal brewers are beloved for the simple three-piece construction invented by Bialetti in 1933. Cold or hot water is filled in the bottom chamber.…