How to Use a Neapolitan Flip Coffee Pot or Royal Belgian Pot

If you’ve ever seen an old-school Italian coffee maker with a bulbous top and wondered how it works — or whether it’s worth trying — this guide is for you. The Neapolitan flip coffee pot (and its close cousin, the Royal Belgian pot) is a centuries-old manual brewer that makes bold, thick coffee without electricity. It’s still used in parts of northern Italy today, and it’s simpler than it looks.

To brew with a Neapolitan flip pot, use 15g of finely ground, medium-dark roasted coffee and 200ml of water (hot or cold). The whole process takes just minutes once you get the hang of the flip.

What Is a Neapolitan Flip Coffee Pot?

The Neapolitan flip coffee pot is a manually operated brewer that’s been around since the 19th century. It’s made of three main parts: a lower chamber (the bottom pot), a central tube (the filter core), and an upper chamber (the top pot). Though its design looks antique, it’s built to last and delivers a strong, rich shot of coffee reminiscent of espresso — but without a machine.

Why Use This Old-School Method?

This brewer creates a dense, full-bodied coffee with a heavy mouthfeel — similar in strength to moka pot coffee but with a slightly different texture and ritual. It doesn’t require filters, electricity, or pressure. That makes it practical, especially for off-grid or travel use, and a fun alternative to modern brewers. Many Italian households still swear by it for its simplicity and bold results.

What You’ll Need

• Coffee: 15g, finely ground (similar to espresso grind)
• Coffee roast level: Medium-dark (full-city roast, the ideal choice)
• Water: 200ml (can be hot or cold)

Step-by-Step: How to Brew With a Neapolitan Flip Pot

Despite its unusual shape, making coffee with a Neapolitan flip pot is straightforward. Just follow these six steps:

1. Add water to the top pot. Pour 200ml of water into the upper chamber. Keep the water level below the small hole located on the rim of the top pot.
2. Add coffee to the filter core. Put 15g of finely ground coffee into the central tube (the filter core). Place the filter screen on top, then set the coffee-filled core into the top pot with the coffee facing upward.
3. Assemble the pot. Place the bottom pot on top of the top pot so that the handles of both pots align.
4. Heat the pot upside down. With the top pot at the bottom, place the entire unit on your heat source (like a gas stove) and let it heat.
5. Watch for steam. When steam begins to escape from the spout of the now-bottomed lower chamber, your coffee is ready. Remove it from the heat.
6. Flip it carefully. Turn the entire pot 180 degrees so the bottom chamber is now on the bottom. Be careful not to tilt toward the spout to avoid spills.

That’s it. Your coffee is brewed and ready to pour. The process combines heating and flipping to create pressure and extract a strong brew — no electricity required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grind size should I use for a Neapolitan flip coffee pot?

Use a fine grind, similar to espresso grind. The exact grind should be fine enough to create proper extraction but not so fine that it clogs the filter.

What roast level works best?

A medium-dark roast, also known as a full-city roast, is ideal. It provides the right balance of body and flavor for this brewing method.

Can I use cold water to brew?

Yes, you can use either hot or cold water. However, using hot water will shorten the brewing time and may affect the intensity slightly.

Do I need to use a filter?

No, the Neapolitan flip pot comes with a built-in filter core and screen. You don’t need paper or metal filters.

Is it safe to flip when the pot is hot?

Yes, but be cautious. Use a towel or pot holder, and make sure not to tilt the pot towards the spout during the flip to avoid spills.

Why does the water level need to stay below the hole in the top pot?

The small hole allows steam to escape and helps regulate pressure. Keeping the water below it ensures proper brewing and prevents overflow.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Neapolitan Flip Brewing

For the Neapolitan flip pot, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend — a well-rounded mix of Brazilian Red Bourbon, Indonesian Mandheling, and Vietnamese Robusta designed for bold moka-style coffee. It offers spicy complexity with creamy, nutty sweetness, making it ideal for this brewer. For a balanced everyday cup, their Black Cocoa Blend (Yunnan and Brazilian beans, medium-dark roasted) gives smooth fruit, caramel, and chocolate notes. Both are great for creating thick, rich coffee similar to espresso without a machine. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.