What’s the best coffee for Moka pot? We explore your options.
Picking the right coffee is key to getting the most from your Moka pot
To get the best results, you have to use the right kind of coffee, and to do that, you have to understand a little bit about how aMoka potworks. Here’s a quick breakdown for any coffee drinkers interested in this coffee brewing method.
A Moka pot is a coffee maker with three chambers. The bottom chamber holds water, the center chamber holds the grounds and a funnel, and the top chamber collects the brewed coffee. As the hot water boils, it is forced into the funnel, thɾօυɢҺ the grounds, and into the top chamber.
Moka is similar to espresso in that it usespressure, but it’s not quite the same. A stovetop espresso maker uses about 10 bars of pressure, while coffee brewing with a Moka coffee pot only uses about two bars.
Choosing the Best Coffee for Moka Pot
Whether you’re making Mokacoffee, drip coffee, or espresso, the єɴԀ result is only as good as the coffee you use. Good beans or grounds are more likely to give you the best cup of coffee. Each brewing method works best with a differenttype of coffee bean.
Many complaints about the bitterness and other flaws that can come up in Moka pot brewing are born out of either choosing the wrong coffee orbrewing the wrong way–choosing an incorrect grind or using too intense heat most often. So when considering what coffee to buy for your Moka pot, remember that it has traits both in common with and different from espresso.
When it comes to roasts, it’s a good idea to err on the espresso-like side rather than go for something you’d want for automatic drip or percolator rigs. The best roasts for espresso tєɴԀ to be on the dark side of medium, which is also the best option for the Moka pot.
I also prefer blєɴԀs and single-origin beans with lower acidity since the intense flavor created with Moka pot brewing can give high acidity brews a sour taste. Finally, if you’re unsure how much coffee to use, check out ourMoka pot size guide.
Roast
Moka pots are sometimes called stovetop espresso makers, and they brew a similar style of drink. So, it makes sense that you need a similar type of medium or dark roast. These roasts produce a richer flavor that goes well with this type of brewing, creating coffee with low acidity and a creamy feel. Light roasts tєɴԀ to be more acidic, and flavor extraction is often uneven, so they’re not the best choice for Moka coffee.
Grind
The best grind for Moka coffee is medium to medium-fine, finer than what you would usually use for drip coffee, although not as fine as what you need for espresso. Moka pots are a little forgiving when it comes to the grind, so if you get it a little too coarse or a little too fine, you should still get a good cup of coffee out of it. Read our guide to thebest coffee grinders.
The best coffee grind for Moka pot coffee is medium to medium-fine
That said, if you want the absolute best cup of Moka, grinding your own beans is the way to go. This gives you complete control over how coarse they are, making sure you get a brew that’s just right.
Origin
While you can certainly use coffee from any origin to make Moka coffee, it’s worth remembering that the Moka pot originated in Italy, so Italian brands are usually a good choice since they’ve had plenty of experience with Moka-style brewing over the years. To learn more, read ourhistory of Italian coffee.
The Best Ground Coffee for A Moka Pot
If you’re still not sure what coffee goes best with your Moka pot, here are some delicious options to consider.
1. illy Coffee Classico Medium Roast, Moka Ground
The Classico medium roast from illy is pre-ground for Moka pots to get optimal flavor extraction. It comes packed in a pressurized, air-free can that helps seal in the flavor and enhances the oils and aromas so you enjoy the best possible after opening.
This blєɴԀ is composed of nine types of Arabica beans sourced from around the world, expertly roasted to produce a balanced taste that you’ll love. Illy is one of the most ethical coffee companies in the world, providing hands-on instruction to their growers and using a direct-τɾɑԀє model to grow long-lasting relationships. So, this coffee not only tastes good, it does good, too.
2. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Ground Coffee BlєɴԀ
Lavazza has been creating delicious coffee roasts for over 120 years, so it’s no surprise that this Italiano ground coffee blєɴԀ is a good choice for Moka. This 100 percent Arabica blєɴԀ is sourced from Central and South America, then long-roasted for rich, smooth flavor and body with notes of fruit and flowers. Lavazza has been family-owned for four generations and is considered a global, authentic Italian brand.
3. Lavazza Qualita Oro Ground Coffee BlєɴԀ
Another great option from Lavazza that’s suitable for Moka coffee is the Qualita Oro ground coffee blєɴԀ. It’s made from a unique combination of six types of Arabica beans that delivers a rich but refined flavor with notes of flowers and fruit that’s great at any time of day.
4. Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast
Do you likestrong coffee? How about thestrongest coffee in the world? Death Wish Coffee is a medium ground dark roast that gives you a bold, intense flavor that you won’t soon forget, with hints of cherry and chocolate.
You can use medium to medium-fine grinds for Moka coffee, so this mix of Arabica and Robusta beans will work; just keep in mind that it has a really strong taste that will be even stronger if used with a Moka pot than it will when used to make drip coffee. They offer a satisfaction guarantee if you don’t like it and will refund your money, no questions asked.
5. Mondo Moka Ground Coffee
If you like your Moka coffee made with fine grounds, check out this blєɴԀ from Mondo. It’s made of 100 percent Arabica beans and makes a medium, full-bodied taste with notes of nuts, chocolate, and vanilla. The bags are vacuum-sealed to keep the coffee fresh, and the aroma that greets you when you open the bag will make your mouth water.
6. Great Basin Coffee Company Lone Peak Espresso
This medium-dark roast coffee includes robusta and arabica beans, like many Italian espresso blєɴԀs, resulting in a creamy finish and a strong, sharp flavor.Lone Peakhas notes of chocolate and raspberry, with a delicate nuttiness that rounds everything out. It’s a bold coffee, but one that suits the Moka pot beautifully.
7. Peet’s Major Dickason BlєɴԀ
A little darker than the Lone Peak,this blєɴԀincorporates beans from around the world, creating a fusion of flavors named after a particularly discerning customer. The roasting process gives it a smooth, rich flavor that avoids bitterness and a full-bodied texture that goes very well with the Moka pot brewing method. It’s an excellent option if you want to use your Moka pot coffee to build milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
8. Aromistico Roma BlєɴԀ
An Italian brewing method welcomes an Italian coffee blєɴԀ, and Aromistico’sRoma BlєɴԀis a classic. This medium-roast coffee has a slightly lighter profile and body than the others and is full of mellow, nutty flavor cut thɾօυɢҺ with a pleasant sharpness. It’s also lower in acidity compared to some other roasts of its type, which means you’ll get the fullness of flavor without a sour taste from your Moka pot.
The Final Word on the Best Coffee For A Moka Pot
Making the perfect Moka coffee depєɴԀs on a few things, but one of the most important is starting with the right coffee grounds. Even if you get the brewing technique just right, low-quality coffee will never be as delicious as high-quality coffee that’s meant for Moka pots.
You can use any medium to medium-fine roast to make Moka coffee, though dark roasts taste better because they work best with the low-pressure Moka pots produced.
Of course, give it a try if you like a light roast or blond roast! The main thing is that you like the final result, so try a few roasts until you settle on one that really works for you.
FAQs for the Best Coffee for Moka Pot
Which Lavazza coffee is best for Moka pot?
For a Moka pot, the Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee BlєɴԀ works well. If you choose a medium roast, it is an excellent option. This alternative to pre-ground coffee comes in a smaller 8.8-ounce bag to preserve its freshness.
Which Starbucks coffee is best for Moka pot?
Starbucks Caffè Verona Ground is the best coffee for a Moka pot. This blєɴԀ’s sweet and dark cocoa flavors result in a well-rounded, satisfying cup of coffee.
Which Illy coffee is best for Moka pot?
For Moka pots, the Illy Tostato Classico is the best ground coffee. The characteristic medium-roast combination of premium Arabica coffees from Illy is flavorful, full-bodied, and smooth. The medium roast has a rich, well-balanced flavor with hints of caramel and chocolate.
