I remember the numerous downhill and enduro races that I have competed in throughout Europe in recent years. At such races, the paddocks often resemble colorful campsites, full of like-minded people. However, most of the riders have more in common than just racing - coffee. If you walk through such a paddock in the morning, you can often smell fresh coffee bubbling out of the "La Moka" Bialetti makers.
 

When the fresh coffee comes out, a beguiling aroma wafts through the air - thanks to Bialetti.

On February 11, Renato Bialetti, the mastermind behind this much-loved coffee machine, passed away at the age of 93 at his home in Ascona. Hardly more dignified, Bialetti was buried on February 16 in his home town of Omegna in Italy - in a coffee pot instead of an urn. But let's turn the clock back a little first: this espresso maker, which works with positive pressure, was invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. But the fact that the octagonal cult coffee machine can be found today at many racecourses and campsites, as well as in numerous households, is largely thanks to his son Renato. After he took over the company in the 1950s, Renato Bialetti landed a marketing coup without which the small coffee machine might never have become famous.

Success through caricature
Renato Bialetti, who had a distinctive moustache, had himself portrayed as a caricature by comic artist Paul Campani. From then on, this adorned all La Moka machines. Numerous subsequent commercials made Renato Bialetti an icon, his coffee machine world-famous and, of course, a huge success. According to "The Local", around 330 million La Moka pots have been sold to date.
 

"The little man with the moustache" is very popular with mountain bikers. Even Ralph Näf always had a small Bialetti machine in his luggage when traveling.

What is successful is also imitated, and so today there are numerous imitations in circulation and also among our own kind. But whether original or imitation, the next time we brew a cup of coffee in one of these overpressure coffee machines, we can thank the "man with the moustache" in our thoughts for the fragrant bean tea.