Moka Pots have become quite a rage when it comes to brewing coffee. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, a Moka pot is an Italian invention that is said to make great coffee.
It is a stovetop (or sometimes electric) coffee maker that brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. The coffee made in Moka pots is much stronger than filter coffee, and the steam really brings out the delicate flavors in the grounds.
Espresso is the strongest type of brewed coffee, but there is a lot of technology that goes into making a pot of espresso. For a better understanding of the differences between Moka pots and Espresso coffee, check out this article that compares the differences.
Some people, however, prefer Moka pot coffee to both filter coffee and espresso. But not all coffee is suitable for being used in a Moka pot. For this reason, we have curated a comprehensive buyer’s guide for the best coffee for a Moka pot here so that you can know enough to choose wisely. We have reviewed the six best options for you available today.
Six Best Coffees For Moka Pots
1. Lavazza Ground Coffee - Caffe Espresso
Lavazza is one of the biggest household and commercial names when it comes to brewing coffee. The coffee is rich in flavor and is made of top quality seeds. Since Lavazza is an international brand, quality assurance is an important factor for their products.
This particular product is an Arabica blend of coffee beans and is medium roast. The beans are claimed to be carefully selected and evenly roasted, giving the coffee a smooth flavor and a tempting aroma. Medium roasted beans can be used for sweet-tasting coffee with the addition of cream according to one’s preferences.
Specifications
- Product weight — 8 ounces
- Roast — Medium
- Flavor — Strong
- Blend — Arabica
What’s Good
- Evenly blended to ensure the best flavors
- Medium roast for a mellow experience
- Can be used in Moka pots as well as espresso machines
- Espresso label means that the coffee is decently strong
- Blend ensures that you get foamy cream every time
What’s Bad
- Might be a little too grainy for some coffee lovers’ taste/might not appeal to everyone
- Medium roast is not the best coffee if you’re looking for something that’s very strong
- Seasoned coffee drinkers might want a darker roast
2. Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee Blend, Medium Roast
Another addition to this list comes in the form of Lavazza’s Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee Blend, which is also a medium roast option. The packaging for this comes in four bags of 8.8 ounces each. Blended and roasted in Italy, this coffee is a full-bodied medium roast that claims a rich flavor and a persistent aftertaste.
This coffee is non-GMO in nature. GMO means “genetically modified organism” and this implies that this coffee has been made naturally and no external genetic modification has been performed on it. The intensity of this coffee is described as a five on a scale of one to 10, making it a moderate blend.
Specifications
- Product weight — 4x 8.8 ounces
- Roast — Medium
- Flavor — Mellow
What’s Good
- Perfect for casual coffee drinkers because of the mellow taste
- If you prefer your coffee sweet, this can be a great choice for you
- Rich flavor for the best experience
- Can be made in Moka pots as well as espresso machines
What’s Bad
- Mellow taste with 5/10 intensity, not suitable for people who prefer their coffee very dark and strong
- On the expensive side
- The aftertaste might not be suitable for everyone
3. Bialetti Coffee Moka Ground Dark Roast Robusta Arabica Blend
This coffee from Bialetti is a dark roast and is specifically made for Moka pots. The coffee originates from Napoli, Italy, known for its rich and flavorful coffee blends. With Moka pots, you need a perfect particle size. If the grains are too coarse, the coffee tastes watery, and if they are too fine, they clog the pot. With just the right size, this coffee is an excellent pick for Moka pots.
The blend in this coffee is 70% Robusta and 30% Arabica, giving you the best of both types. With a dark blend and full body, this coffee is on the stronger side. If you’re a seasoned coffee drinker who needs it to be as bitter and strong as possible, this could be a great fit for you.
Specifications
- Product weight — 8.8 ounces
- Roast — Dark
- Flavor — Strong
What’s Good
- Dark roast and strong flavor is perfect for seasoned drinkers
- Perfect grind for Moka pots, not too coarse and not too fine
- Bitter cocoa aroma for stronger feel
- Blend of 70% Robusta and 30% Arabica for the best experiences from both types of coffee
What’s Bad
- Not for casual drinkers, as it has a very bitter aroma
- If you take milk in your coffee, you might prefer choosing a medium roast over this dark roast
4. Lavazza Italian Espresso Crema Gusto Ground Coffee
Lavazza brings you yet another addition to your list of Moka pot coffees with the Espresso Crema Gusto Ground Coffee. The products and ingredients used in this coffee are plant-derived, GMO-free, and organically certified. They are also sourced from domestic suppliers to help local businesses.
Since this is a crema coffee, the roast is light to medium and the coffee is not very strong. This is a good fit for people who like to have a cup once or twice a day with milk and sugar in it to enjoy the taste as a beverage, not for people who have been drinking coffee for years and prefer the strongest blends and roasts.
Specifications
- Product weight — 8.8 ounces
- Roast — Medium/Light
- Flavor — Medium/Light
What’s Good
- Great for occasional coffee drinkers
- Can be made into a light and sweet coffee with milk and sugar
- Locally sourced for supporting domestic businesses
What’s Bad
- Not very strong
- For people who are seasoned coffee drinkers and who want a strong coffee that gives them a kick, darker roasts and stronger flavors are recommended
5. Illy Classico Espresso Ground Coffee, Medium Roast
Illy is another brand that is very popular with coffee connoisseurs. With a 100% Arabica profile, this coffee comes with a medium roast that results in rich flavor. It is composed of nine Arabica coffee sources and provides a rich and balanced taste.
An interesting fact about this coffee is that it has notes of caramel and chocolate for great taste. If you go to a coffee house anywhere in the world, you will find coffee-based beverages that will give you added chocolate or caramel or some combination of the two, but with the Illy Classico Espresso, you get these flavors blended in for the perfect combination of energy and good taste.
Illy is also known for its ethical industrial practices, as it was named on Ehitsphere’s list for the seventh consecutive year for carrying out their business with a sense of integrity.
Specifications
- Product weight — 8.8 ounces
- Blend — 100% Arabica
- Roast — Medium
- Grain — Very fine
What’s Good
- Hints of chocolate and caramel in the coffee give it a delightful edge if you’re looking for good taste
- Medium roast gives you a rich taste while maintaining its balance without being too bitter
- Made from nine Arabica beans sources, ensuring good quality and taste
What’s Bad
- Not the strongest coffee on the list
- Fine grains work best with Espresso machines but might get stuck in a Moka pot
6. Boyd’s French No. 6 Coffee, Ground Dark Roast
Moving away from the Italian theme of the list, Boyd’s French no. 6 is a pure, 100% Arabica blend coffee. This dark roast coffee has a deep, wine-y flavor, making it a great option for people who don’t want to compromise on taste for a very strong flavor.
Boyd’s is an American brand founded in Portland and was originally designed to make coffee that was strong enough to give you a kick. Each type of coffee bean in the Arabica blend is assessed carefully before making this proven recipe, and the French no. 6 comes with smoky, sweet notes and a mixture of slightly floral and nutty tones.
This coffee is best paired with heavy desserts and dark chocolate.
Specifications
- Product weight — 6 x 12 ounces (72 ounces)
- Roast — Dark
- Blend — 100% Arabica
- Flavor — Strong
What’s Good
- With a strong flavor profile with smoky tones, it is a great choice for people who like their coffee with a kick
- Slightly floral and nutty tones do not let you compromise on the taste as well
- Taste profile ensures that it goes great with desserts and chocolate
- Large packet, no need to go shopping for coffee anytime soon
What’s Bad
- Not for beginners or people who are not coffee connoisseurs, as it might be too strong for their taste
- The smoky and dark taste can come off tasting like metal if not made properly
Buyer’s Guide
So, you’ve gone through our list of the best coffee for Moka pot, but you might still not be sure about which one to get. There can be a lot of choices when it comes to picking out a good option, and the sheer variety in flavors, blends, and roast profiles can get confusing. So, for your benefit, we have curated a comprehensive buyer’s guide that should help you pick out the best coffee from the list based on your individual liking.
- Strong, Bitter Coffee — If you’ve been drinking coffee for years and medium roasts and mellow flavors don’t even wake you up in the morning, you need one of the stronger coffees. We would suggest that you go for Boyd’s French no. 6 Dark Roast or Bialetti Coffee Moka Dark Ground Roast.
- Light, sweet coffee — We get it. You don’t want something that hits your brain with a sip, but you do want a coffee flavor that you can sit back and sip slowly while also enjoying its taste. For you, we would suggest Illy Classico Espresso Ground Coffee or Lavazza Italian Espresso Crema Gusto Ground Coffee.
- Best of both worlds — If you’re someone who wants their coffee to give them a kick, but not because of how bitter it is, Lavazza Ground Coffee Caffe Espresso or Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee Blend could be great picks for you.
Final Thoughts
Moka Pots are certainly in fashion. And coffee has been around for thousands of years with no chance of going away. Whether you are a seasoned coffee drinker, or are just beginning to discover the magic of what good coffee can do for you, there is no denying that coffee is one of the best parts of the day for many people. Days are divided into what happens before and after coffee breaks, and in such a world, it is important to do your research and select the right coffee for yourself.
We hope that this article has helped you find the best coffee for Moka pot according to your needs. If you’re interested, do check out our other articles on the topic. Happy brewing!
Product Advertising API - Last Updated on 2024-04-25. DISCLAIMER: Some or all of the product links on this page are affiliate links. The operator of this website received a small commission if you purchase products through these links, HOWEVER, there is no added cost to you. These commissions help to fund the operation of this BDMetrics.com
