The Moka Pot brews full-bodied, flavor-rich coffee. It is much stronger and more intense than what you get from a drip coffee machine or French press.
Moka Pot coffee is how I enjoy my daily caffeine dose! I love how the brew always comes out strong, flavorful, and full of rich aromas that fill the room.
It’s like making a near-espresso coffee without the expensive espresso machine. Moka Pots are super affordable and pretty easy to use and clean!
But not all coffees are meant for the Moka Pot. In my experience, I’ve got the best results from fine ground “espresso-quality” dark roast coffee beans.
The Moka Pot works by using steam pressure to force hot water through the coffee grounds which extracts the coffee. Hence the rich flavors and aromas!
The trick is to grind the coffee beans to table salt particle sizes and feel. But not much finer like powdered sugar or flour, which might make the coffee bitter!
I prefer the best coffee beans and use my Vitamix A2500 to grind a fresh batch for every brew. In this article, I’ll explore some of the best coffee for the Moka Pot!
TL;DR – 10 Best Coffees for Moka Pot in 2024 at a Glance!
| Moka Pot Coffee | Bean Type | Roast Level | Grind Size | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illy Classico | 100% Arabica | Medium Roast | Fine Grounds | Most Coffee Drinkers |
| Pellini No.82 Vivace | 90% Arabica and 10% Robusta Blend | Dark Roast | Beans | Italian Coffee Enthusiasts |
| Café Bustelo | Blend | Dark Roast | Fine Grounds | Habitual Coffee Drinkers |
| Lavazza Qualita Rossa | Arabica and Robusta Blend | Dark Roast | Superfine Grounds | Budget Coffee Drinkers |
| Bialetti Perfetto Moka | 50% Arabica and 50% Robusta Blend | Medium Roast | Fine Grounds (Moka Pot Specific) | Bialetti Moka Lovers! |
| Lavazza Crema E Gusto | Arabica and Robusta Blend | Dark Roast | Fine Grounds | Most Coffee Drinkers |
| Spring Valley Coffee Espresso | 100% Finest Arabica Beans | Dark Roast | Beans, Coarse, Medium, or Fine Grounds | Specialty Coffee Enthusists! |
| Supreme By Bustelo | 100% Arabica Beans | Dark Roast | Fine Grounds | Low Caffeine Coffee Drinkers |
| Kicking Horse Decaf Coffee | 100% Arabica Beans | Dark Roast | Beans | Decaf Coffee Drinkers |
| Volcanica’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee | 100% Exotic Arabica Beans | Medium/Light Roast | Beans, Coarse, Medium, or Fine Grounds | Exotic Coffee Enthusiasts |
10 Best Coffees for Moka Pot in 2024 [Handpicked & Ranked]
If you are new to the Moka Pot coffee brewing method, pick Illy Classic Ground Moka Coffee. They come pre-ground in a thoughtful “keep-fresh” tin!
But if you want to enjoy the best Moka experience, you should try the Italian Pellini No.82 Vivace dark roast coffee. It makes for a stronger brew with a crema.
I’m hooked on the Spring Valley Coffee Espresso. It’s top-quality Kenyan coffee that makes a full-body brew with hints of vanilla, burnt sugar, and chocolate!
1. Overall Best Moka Coffee – Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee
Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee has a rich aroma and smooth, well-balanced flavor. It’s an exceptional choice for the habitual coffee drinker!
It comprises 100% Arabica coffee beans. Illy collaborates with farmers in over 30 countries worldwide who grow the coffee sustainably.
Their long-lasting relationship ensures the harvesting process is meticulous. Only the finest and flawless top 1% Arabica coffee beans are picked!
The processing is carefully done for quality control. After processing, the beans go through another layer of selection to ensure zero defects.
The beans undergo medium roasting to obtain a rich aromatic profile with a balanced flavor. And the ground level is especially suited for the Moka Pot!
Pros:
- 100% Arabica coffee beans.
- A rich aroma with a balanced flavor.
- Specifically pre-ground for the Moka Pot.
- Notes of caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine.
- It comes in a special “keep-fresh” tin.
- A smooth taste – not bitter!
Cons:
- Not robust enough for those who prefer strong, dark roast coffee!
My favorite thing about Illy’s Classico is the tin packaging that helps keep the ground coffee fresh and flavorful for a long time.
The Illy Classico Ground Moka Coffee suits most coffee ritualists who want to make the perfect, flavorful Moka Pot brew with a crema.
2. Best Italian Moka Coffee – Pellini No.82 Vivace Roasted Coffee
The Pellini No.82 Vivace roasted coffee is what you buy when you want to enjoy an authentic Italian coffee experience with your Moka Pot.
Pellini is a family-owned Italian company founded to spread the Italian espresso culture worldwide! The quality of this coffee is proof of that mission!
It comprises a blend of 90% Arabica and 10% Robusta beans of the finest quality! It has a full-bodied and well-balanced flavor with an intense aroma.
Pellini No.82 Vivace is sold as coffee beans! Not pre-ground. I love this since you get to grind them right before brewing for a fresh, flavorful coffee experience.
HINT: Coffee beans retain potency and freshness longer than ground coffee! You also get to control the grind level for a perfect brew, every day.
Pros:
- Finest quality Arabica and Robusta beans.
- Dark roast for an intense aromatic profile.
- The brew is strong with a thick crema.
- It has a balanced taste with low acidity.
- It’s available in large 1kg or 500g packages.
Cons:
- It might be pricey for the habitual coffee drinker.
The Pellini No.82 Vivace Dark Roasted coffee beans have a strong, full-bodied, flavor-rich aromatic taste with medium caffeine content.
The beans come in a high-quality, airtight coffee bag with a one-way degassing valve to ensure they stay fresh long after opening the package.
3. Best Budget Moka Coffee – Café Bustelo Espresso Dark Roast
Café Bustelo Espresso Dark Roast is an old-timer’s favorite! The ground quality suits Moka Pot coffee enthusiasts who want a strong, flavorful brew.
What I love about Café Bustelo is its availability! It’s among the widely stocked coffee brands. You’ll find it in most grocery stores and online retail stores.
It comes in a vacuum-sealed can that helps keep the coffee grounds fresh. But they lose their aromatic profile within a few days after opening the can.
Pros:
- A budget-friendly option for habitual drinkers.
- High-quality, dark-roasted ground coffee beans.
- The can is vacuum-sealed to keep the grounds fresh.
Cons:
- The coffee flavor is much stronger and intensely bitter.
Café Bustelo Espresso Dark Roast is a great choice for habitual coffee drinkers who are on a budget. But the brew has an intense, bitter taste!
The Café Bustelo is ideal for all types of Moka Pot coffee enthusiasts who want to brew a great cup of “Moka expresso” without breaking the bank.
4. Best-Value Moka Coffee – Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee Blend
Lavazza Qualita Rossa is a perfect middle-ground between the expensive Pellini No. 82 Vivace and the low-budget Café Bustelo Espresso Dark Roast.
It comprises high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans that are medium roast and ground for a perfect balance of smoothness and aromatic flavor.
But the ground level is too fine. Like powdered sugar! So, don’t pack it tightly in the Moka Pot coffee basket to avoid over-extraction and a bitter taste.
Pros:
- Great quality coffee, making it a great value!
- It’s medium roast full-bodied flavor.
- It has a rich aromatic, flavorful aftertaste.
- It’s non-GMO and blended in Italy.
Cons:
- The ground level may be too fine for most people.
If you often prefer medium roast coffee, Lavazza Qualita Rossa is a great option. It produces full-body coffee with a bittersweet flavor and hits of caramel.
5. Best Bialetti Moka Coffee – Bialetti Perfetto Moka Ground Coffee
The Bialetti Perfetto Moka Ground Coffee is specifically roasted and ground for the Moka Pot. It makes for a great choice if you don’t want to grind the beans yourself!
It comprises 50% Arabica and 50% Robusta coffee beans of the finest quality! Bialetti uses a carefully controlled artisanal roasting process.
The careful roasting helps bring out all the flavors and aromas of the Arabica beans. They then skillfully grind the beans. The ground level is perfect for the Moka Pot.
A cup of freshly brewed Bialetti Perfetto Moka Ground Coffee has full-bodied strength and aromatic flavors with hints of flowers and dried fruits!
Pros:
- Bialetti is the original maker of the Moka Pot.
- It makes a full-bodied brew with an intense aroma.
- The careful roasting helps enhance its flavor.
- A skillful grinding that’s ideal for the Moka Pot.
Cons:
- It’s medium roasted and not as intense as dark roast coffees.
Bialetti Perfetto Moka Ground Coffee suits Moka Pot enthusiasts who want to make a full-bodied brew with an aromatic aftertaste but don’t want to fuss with grinding!
I prefer dark roast coffee. It’s more intense and flavorful than medium roast! But if you enjoy medium roast coffee, then the Bialetti Perfetto Moka is worth trying.
6. Best Lavazza Moka Coffee – Lavazza Crema E Gusto
Lavazza Crema E Gusto is among the most popular coffees for Moka Pot! It makes a much stronger and more intense brew than Lavazza Qualita Rossa.
It comprises a high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans blend. They are dark roast for a full-bodied brew with intense, spicy notes and a rich aftertaste.
Pros:
- One of the best coffees for Moka Pot enthusiasts!
- It makes a strong brew with bold flavors and crema.
- The best choice for milk-based recipes like lattes.
- An authentic Italian blended, non-GMO coffee.
Cons:
- The Robusta beans give it a noticeable bitter taste.
The Lavazza Crema E Gusto is an authentic Italian blended and roasted coffee. But it’s not a pure Arabica blend, which gives the brew a spicy, bitter aftertaste.
If you prefer black coffee or Americano by watering down the Moka Pot brew, you may not enjoy the bitterness. It’s great for a flat white, cappuccino, and lattes.
7. Best Kenyan Moka Coffee – Spring Valley Coffee Espresso
Spring Valley Coffee Espresso is among the best coffee you can get in the world. It comprises purely Kenyan-grown Arabica coffee beans of the finest quality!
I’d class Spring Valley as a specialty coffee! They have built strong relations with Mt. Kenya region coffee farmers to ensure they only source high-quality beans.
The Spring Valley Roastery is located near the coffee farms. The freshly picked beans arrive quickly for processing, where they undergo a “fully washed” process.
The clean-washed beans are meticulously dried and selected as a mark of quality! They then go through a skillful, attentive artisanal hand-roasting process.
The dark roasted espresso coffee bean is full-bodied with hints of burnt sugar. A fresh cup of the Moka Pot coffee is aroma-rich and has vanilla malt sweetness.
Pros:
- It comprises 100% Arabica beans of the finest quality.
- They undergo a careful washing and selection process.
- A skillful artisanal roasting with expert coffee roasters.
- It makes for a full-bodied brew with intense aromas.
- Subtle flavor of orange peel acidity and baker’s chocolate.
Cons:
- Being an almost specialty, expert-processed coffee, it comes at a pricer cost!
Spring Valley Coffee Espresso is simply spectacular! It’s among the top 1% of best coffee for Moka Pot and espresso and arguably the finest I’ve tasted!
The packaging is thoughtful to keep the beans or coffee grounds fresh! It’s opaque and airtight with a one-way degassing valve and a handy resealable zip lock.
The expertise that goes into processing and roasting Spring Valley Coffee means it comes at a cost! But if you’re a true coffee lover, then it’s 100% worth the price!
8. Best Low-Caffeine Moka Coffee – Supreme by Bustelo
Some coffee enthusiasts enjoy the brew for the ritual and aromatic flavors and not really for the extra dose of caffeine that comes with this wonderful drink!
If low-caffeine coffee is something you prefer, then try the Supreme by Bustelo ground espresso-style coffee. It comprises 100% Arabica coffee beans.
Pros:
- It’s among the best coffee for Moka Pot.
- 100% dark roasted Arabica coffee beans.
- A bold, distinct flavor that is not bitter.
- A good quality “keep-fresh” canister.
Cons:
- It’s slightly pricer than other Bustelo variants.
Supreme by Bustelo is an exceptional choice for low-caffeine coffee lovers. It’s medium-dark roasted and pre-ground for the Moka Pot and espresso.
9. Best Decaf Moka Coffee – Kicking Horse Decaf Coffee
Kicking Horse Decaf Blend is a great choice if you want to start your morning with the intense aromas of freshly prepared coffee while cutting back on caffeine.
It comprises 100% organic Arabica beans of the best quality! It makes a flavorful Moka Pot brew with intense, full-body flavors and hints of chocolate and citrus.
Pros:
- The best decaf coffee for Moka pot brewing.
- A deep, dark, tip-top taste and a fine finish.
- A fresh brew has deep baker’s chocolate aromas.
- Notes of chocolate and citrus undertones.
- It is Fairtrade Certified and Kosher Certified.
Cons:
- It’s pricer than other Kicking Horse coffee variants.
Kicking Horse uses the Swiss water decaffeination process that guarantees 99.9% caffeine-free coffee. Yet, it still makes for a full-body, flavor-rich, aromatic brew!
10. Best Specialty Coffee for Moka Pot – Volcanica’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee
The Spring Valley Coffee Espresso may be exceptional, but Volcanica’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee takes things a notch higher. It’s simply exotic!
Yirgacheffe is a coffee region in southern Ethiopia. It produces unique fruity coffees from traditional Arabica plants that came from wild coffee trees.
Volcanica Coffee buys the beans directly from Ethiopia. Their skillful processing and selection process ensures only the finest coffee beans are roasted.
Pros:
- Yirgacheffe is rated the world’s best Arabica coffee!
- Volcanica Coffee only focuses on high-quality exotic coffees.
- A fully washed process with careful selection and processing.
- It’s light-medium roasted to retain its floral, fruity flavors.
- It has hints of lemon, blueberry, and blackberry.
Cons:
- It’s among the most expensive coffees on the list.
Volcanica’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee is Fairtrade, Kosher, and USDA Organic certified. I recommend it to anyone looking to try specialty, exotic coffees!
With specialty coffees, espresso machines are the best brewing method. But you don’t need to break the bank for one, since, a high-quality Moka Pot comes close!
I recommend buying the medium roasted whole beans and grinding a fresh batch for your Moka Pot to enjoy its exotic, fruit-toned flavors with pleasant acidity.
I would say, this isn’t the coffee you decide to enjoy every day, well, unless you don’t mind your coffee habits breaking your bank!
How to Choose the Best Coffee for Moka Pot Brewing!
If want to learn how to choose the best coffee for Moka Pot brewing this section of the article should help you.
I’ll explore the key factors I consider in my 10 years of experience as a staunch coffee lover and caffeinehead!
What is a Moka Coffee?
The Moka Pot is a stovetop espresso maker that brews strong, flavor-rich coffee by passing pressurized hot water through the coffee grounds.
Moka coffee is much stronger than pour-over and French press! Its strength lies somewhere between the well-balanced espresso and regular drip coffee.
If you enjoy bold, flavorful coffee with rich hints of aromas the Moka Pot is a perfect brewing method. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and clean!
To ensure you always end up with a well-balanced, flavor-rich brew, consider the following key factors when choosing the best coffee for the Moka Pot.
1. The Coffee Brand
With coffee the brand comes first! The brand determines where the beans were originally sourced, and how they were processed, roasted, and packaged!
Since the Moka Pot is originally an Italian coffee brewing method, you might want to start by narrowing it down to Italian coffee brands like Lavazza, Bustelo, and Illy.
These brands mainly source high-quality coffees that are destined for Italian coffee consumers who predominantly use Moka pots and espresso machines.
Once you learn how to differentiate the different coffees from these brands, you can then explore other specialty brands and coffees to find your perfect taste!
2. The Coffee Beans Origin
The region where the coffee is grown determines its flavors and aromas. You want to select coffee from countries known for its rich flavor and aromas.
Arabica coffee-growing regions like Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are known for producing some of the most flavorful, aroma-rich coffees.
3. The Type of Coffee Bean
There are two types of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica coffee is known for its bold flavors and sweeter, smoother taste.
A cup of fresh Arabica coffee from the Moka Pot reveals hints of burnt sugar and baker’s chocolate aromas which fill the room.
Robusta coffee, on the other hand, has a more bitter taste. It’s also less acidic! But you get twice the caffeine content in Robusta.
Most brands craft a perfect blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. The blends ensure a great balance of flavor and caffeine content.
4. Single Origin or Blend
Single-origin coffee is sourced from a single producer (farm), crop, and region! It allows for high-quality processed coffee with a more distinctive taste.
Specialty and exotic roasteries mainly process coffee from a single origin. Such coffees like Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Colombia, Brazil, and the Kenya AA.
Coffee blends are beans combined from different origins! They are often a mix of beans from different regions, and even of Arabica and Robusta coffee.
Coffee roasters and brands might create a unique blend as a mark of their distinct taste that creates a brand-specific flavor profile, like the Pellini Espresso Bar.
5. The Roast Level
Roasting is an important coffee-making step. It helps bring out and enhance the unique flavors and aromas of the coffee beans.
Dark roast coffees have more intense flavors and rich aromas. They also have low acidity which leads to a sweeter, flavorful brew.
6. The Grind Size
The ideal coffee grind size for the Moka pot is fine grounds! I always recommend targeting table salt particle size and feel if you grind them yourself!
Finer, powder-like grounds result in the coffee packing too tightly in the Moka Pot basket which creates too much pressure and leads to over-extraction.
Over-extraction produces a much stronger, bitter brew! But coarser grounds make an under-extracted brew that is weaker with less flavor.
I suggest starting with pre-ground espresso coffee like Illy’s Classico, then you can later get whole beans and experiment with different ground levels.