9 Best Coffees For Moka Pots
Do you enjoy a rich, bold cup of coffee in the morning? If so, a Moka pot might be the perfect brewing method for you.
This Italian classic brews coffee that is as strong as espresso, but without the hassle and expense of an espresso machine.
What are the best coffees for Moka pots? To get the best result from your Moka pot, we suggest using a medium to dark roast coffee with a medium grind. If you can find an Italian brand of coffee, then it would be a perfect match with this Italian brewing method.
Read on to learn about our picks for the best coffees for Moka pots.
What Is A Moka Pot?
Invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, the Moka pot is actually named after the city of Mokha in Yemen, where the coffee trade started taking place in the 1300s.
The Moka pots have since been primarily produced by the Bialetti company, which is why it’s also called the Bialetti.
Moka pots brew coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee.
The Moka pot is available in a variety of sizes, from small 1-cup pots to large 9-cup pots. It consists of three chambers: a lower chamber for water, a filter chamber for ground coffee, and an upper chamber for brewed coffee.
This method allows you to make coffee in just a few minutes using just a stovetop. A Moka pot is also quite simple to use — all you need to do is fill the filter chamber with ground coffee and the lower chamber with water.
Then, place the pot on a stovetop or electric burner and heat until the water boils and the pressure forces the water up into the upper chamber, where it mixes with the grounds to produce rich, flavorful coffee.
Buying Guide For Best Coffee For Moka Pots
This very specific method of brewing coffee also demands a very specific type of coffee. Oftentimes when you make coffee with the Moka pot, the result can be too bitter or too sour because the coffee you choose is too acidic.
Here are our tips for choosing the best coffee for your Moka pot!
Coffee Origins
Moka Pots are Italian creations, so the best coffee to go with Moka pots is — you guessed it — Italian coffee.
Italy is known for its coffee, so Italian brands like Illy or Lavazza really know how to make coffee that’s perfect for Moka pots.
If you are not sure what to buy for your Moka pots, then going with an Italian brand is definitely the way to go!
Coffee Grind
Although brewing coffee with a Moka pot is pretty forgiving when it comes to the grind of your coffee, this is still a big factor for consideration.
Moka pots are known for producing intense flavors for your coffee, so if the grind is too fine, there’s a high chance that the resulting coffee will become too burnt and bitter.
However, if the grind is too uneven and coarse, then your coffee won’t have any flavors at all, and you will end up with a weak, sour coffee that’s too acidic to enjoy.
Some people enjoy grinding their own coffee beans to get the best grind for every brew.
However, if you are buying ground coffee for Moka pots, make sure to get a medium or medium-fine grind — this will help you produce the best pot of coffee with your Moka pot!
Coffee Roast
A Moka pot can produce a strong cup of coffee with very intense flavors, similar to espresso. This is why Moka pots are also called stovetop espresso machines.
To accommodate the intense brewing method, you will need to get a richly flavored coffee with low acidity. This means a medium to dark roast coffee.
The darker the roast, the stronger the flavor of the coffee. Roasting will also lower the acidity level of the coffee, which will prevent the flavors from becoming too sour.
Dark roast coffees will also produce richer and fuller flavors, with more creamy feels that are perfect for Moka pots.
Coffee Type
You usually hear coffee blends that are made from 100% Arabica or Arabica and Robusta blends, but do you know the difference between these two types of coffee beans?
Arabica coffee beans are one of the most popular types of coffee beans in the world. They are used in a majority of coffees, and they are often considered to be superior in taste to other types of coffee beans.
One reason for this is that Arabica beans contain less caffeine than other types of coffee beans. This means that they can be roasted for longer without losing their flavor.
In addition, Arabica beans have a higher acidity than other types of coffee beans, which gives them a more complex flavor.
Arabica beans are known for their smooth, sweet taste, with flavor notes of chocolate and sugar. They often also have notes of fruits or berries.
The reason for this is that these beans are typically grown at high altitudes, between 3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level.
The high altitude and warm temperature result in a slower rate of maturation, which gives the coffee bean more time to develop its flavor.
Arabica coffee is usually more expensive than other types of coffee due to the strict growing conditions required to produce the bean.
However, many coffee drinkers believe that Arabica beans are worth the extra price, thanks to their unique flavor profile.
Robusta coffee beans are lower in quality than Arabica beans, and as a result, they are less expensive.
However, Robusta beans are still popular in espresso blends because they have more caffeine, and they are known to produce a better crema — the foam that forms on the surface of espresso when it is properly brewed.
Robusta beans are known for producing a crema that is both thick and creamy.
That’s why the perfect cup of coffee is usually a blend between Arabica and Robusta, which can produce a highly caffeinated cup with beautiful flavors and a creamy body!
Best Coffees For Moka Pots
Now that we’ve learned about the different factors to consider when choosing a coffee for your Moka pot, here are some of the top products on the market today!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee | Medium Roast, Ground/Moka |
| 2 | Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast Coffee | Dark Roast, Ground |
| 3 | Bialetti Coffee | Dark Roast, Ground |
| 4 | Lucky Goat, Flavored Ground Coffee | Medium Roast, Ground |
| 5 | Lavazza Espresso Italiano Ground Coffee | Medium Roast, Ground/Moka |
| 6 | Segafredo Zanetti Ground Coffee | Medium Roast, Ground |
| 7 | Bristot Moka Oro Ground Coffee | Medium Roast, Ground |
| 8 | French Market Coffee | Medium-Dark Roast, Ground |
| 9 | San Francisco Bay Coffee | Dark Roast, Ground |
1. Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee
If you’re a fan of Moka pots, then you’ll love Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee — this medium-roast coffee has a classic flavor with delicate notes of caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine.
The coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans, which are grown in the mountains of Central and South America.
These beans are medium-roasted to create a coffee that is both flavorful and aromatic. The grind also makes coffee that is also non-acidic.
It’s the perfect coffee for making rich, flavorful espresso using a Moka pot. The flavors are light and delicious enough that they can please both casual coffee drinkers and coffee lovers alike.
2. Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast Coffee
Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast Coffee is a perfectly balanced coffee with a dense caramel-like sweetness that’s perfect for brewing with a Moka pot.
The Moka pot can enhance the coffee’s intensity without amplifying its acidity, and you can even enjoy a complex spicy aroma when brewing.
The coffee beans are sourced from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, where they are grown in rich, fertile soils. This results in a coffee with exceptional flavor and aroma.
The coffee is then dark roasted to bring out the full potential of the beans. The result is a perfectly balanced coffee with a rich, complex flavor that is perfect for espresso lovers. This coffee is also certified organic and Fair Trade.
3. Bialetti Coffee
Bialetti invented the Moka pot, and the Bialetti company continues to make Moka pots to this day — of course Bialetti coffees are perfectly suited to brew with Moka pots!
Bialetti has a grind that is not too fine and not too coarse, which can help you brew a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee. This dark roast coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans and is grown in the mountains of Ethiopia.
The beans are roasted in small batches to preserve their flavor and aroma. Bialetti Coffee has a strong, rich flavor with notes of chocolate and caramel. It is smooth and well-balanced, with a lingering finish.
The coffee is best enjoyed black, but can also be enjoyed with milk or cream to compliment the chocolate and caramel flavors.
4. Lucky Goat Flavored Ground Coffee
Lucky Goat’s Flavored Ground Coffee is a blend of coffee beans that have been roasted and ground to perfection to eliminate any acidity.
This coffee is infused with natural pecan flavors, giving it a rich and distinct nutty taste that is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Because this is a ground coffee, you’ll be able to enjoy all the flavor and aroma without any bitterness.
When brewing with a Moka pot, the resulting coffee will have a rich, creamy and nutty flavor, with notes of hazelnut, vanilla, and even cinnamon. This is such a unique coffee experience that can be even more special thanks to the special brewing method of Moka pots.
5. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Ground Coffee
Lavazza is an Italian brand well-known for making amazing coffee. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Ground Coffee is a medium roast designed for Moka pot.
The coffee is crafted from a blend of 100% Arabica beans that are roasted to create a smooth and balanced flavor, but not too intense, with a flavor rating of 5 out of 10.
The beans are then ground to create a rich espresso that is perfect for brewing with a Moka pot.
The resulting coffee is a rich, full-body coffee with a smooth, creamy texture. The coffee has a well-balanced flavor with notes of chocolate and caramel. It is also very versatile, making it ideal for espresso, cappuccino, latte, or even cafe au lait.
6. Segafredo Zanetti Ground Coffee
Segafredo Zanetti Ground Coffee is a medium roast 100% Arabica that has a strong yet well-balanced flavor — the coffee beans are a dark roast, which can bring out the boldest flavors, resulting in a cup of coffee that is sure to wake you up and get you going.
When brewed with a Moka pot, it produces a smooth and well-rounded cup of coffee with tart lemon and blackberry notes, complemented by the sweetness of honey and subtle hints of chocolate.
The coffee is made with high-quality beans that are ethically sourced and roasted in small batches to ensure freshness — this is perfect for those who appreciate a complex cup of coffee with distinct flavor profiles that can be highlighted by brewing with a Moka pot.
If you want a stronger cup of coffee, you can also opt for the Enzo blend option, which is a smoky and rich blend with infusions of dark chocolate and caramel.
7. Bristot Moka Oro Ground Coffee
Bristot Moka Oro Ground Coffee is a unique blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta beans.
The medium roast brings out the natural sweetness of the beans while keeping the acidity level under control, without becoming too intense.
The coffee has a full body and a creamy texture, with a moderate acidity that makes it perfect for brewing in a Moka pot.
This coffee has a very distinct flavor profile, with notes of various spices, caramel, and sandalwood. Although this is a medium roast, the 9/10 intensity can be perfectly complemented by the Moka pot.
8. French Market Coffee
French Market Coffee is a 100% Arabica, medium-dark roast coffee blended with French chicory. The coffee beans are grown in the central highlands of Ethiopia and roasted in New Orleans.
New Orleans coffee is iconic for its unique flavor, which is imparted by the addition of chicory, a root vegetable with French origins. When roasted and ground, it takes on a deep, caramelized flavor that compliments the taste of coffee without overwhelming it.
In addition to its roasted flavor, chicory also imparts a slight sweetness and notes of caramel to the coffee, creating a well-rounded and complex cup. The coffee has less caffeine but still has a rich and strong flavor profile and a smooth finish.
These flavors are perfectly complemented when brewing with a Moka pot. This intense brewing method will bring out the strong layers of flavors without becoming too bitter or acidic.
9. San Francisco Bay Coffee
If you’re a fan of dark, rich coffee, then you’ll love this San Francisco Bay Coffee. This extra dark Italian coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans, giving it a deep, intense flavor.
The beans are 100% organic coffee, fair trade from Central and South America, which are then roasted in small batches to preserve the beans’ freshness.
The beans are roasted longer than most, resulting in a coffee that is both robust and full-bodied.
The natural flavors of the Arabica beans are highlighted when brewing with Moka pots, producing an intense cup of coffee with smoky notes without becoming too bitter.
