Coffee and Caffeine FAQ

Actually, the aluminum, in a well-kept and well-used moka will not affect the flavour of the coffee. It must be "seasoned" properly, though, forming a protective layer of aluminum oxide over parts exposed to the water and coffee. Making several pots of coffee and letting them sit all day will effectively kill the "aluminum" taste. As with any seasoned cookware, soap should not be used when cleaning, as at best it'll strip the seasoned layer, and at worst it'll impregate the seasoned layer and add unpleasant soapy flavours to your coffee.

The history of the moka is wrapped around the history of aluminum in Italy, so they're not made of aluminum just because it's "cheap".