10 BEST COFFEE BEANS FOR MOKA POTS [2022]

With a Moka pot, you don’t need to have latte art barista skills to make espresso. The Moka pot makes it easy to brew espresso, or even coffee, without ever having to pull a shot.

However, not just any beans will do. There’s a specific type of bean you want to use to get the most flavor out of your brew. Use the wrong beans, and you’ll wind up with an overly bitter or watered-down coffee. And nobody wants that!

To prevent that from happening, I rounded up the ten best coffee beans for Moka pots. Read on to discover my top recommendation, as well as some helpful information on brewing with Moka pots.
 

BEST COFFEE BEANS FOR MOKA POT: LAVAZZA ESPRESSO ITALIANO

Lavazza has been around for well over 100 years. They offer an incredible line of coffee which can make it challenging to decide on just one.

However, if you want the best Lavazza coffee for Moka pots, go with their Espresso Italiano. This non-GMO and 100 percent arabica medium roast is the definition of supreme excellency.

Blended and roasted in Italy, Espresso Italiano is rich and robust without being overly intense or bold. That means you get a nice smooth, balanced coffee.

Not too light and not too dark, Lavazza Espresso Italiano is an all-around crowd-pleaser. So if you want the best, go with a bag of these beans. Espresso Italiano was made for the Moka pot.

BEST DARK ROAST: VOLCANICA ESPRESSO DARK ROAST

The best way to enjoy a dark roast is with a Moka pot, and I’ve got just the blend for you, Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast. Volcanica produces nothing but primo coffee. So you know you’re in for a real treat with their espresso roast.

The taste, aroma, and balance of Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast are purely divine. There’s a deep layer of caramel and spice with remarkably low acidity. This makes it the perfect match for your Moka pot. Brew a cup and let your senses engage in the complexity of this coffee.

Responsibly sourced, Volcanica uses only 100 percent arabica beans, and they also only roast on demand. These two factors combined mean you get only the finest espresso.

With over 130 blends, your Moka pot journey doesn’t have to stop at their Dark Espresso Roast. However, this coffee is so good, you may want nothing else.

BEST MEDIUM ROAST: KICKING HORSE CLIFF HANGER ESPRESSO

Partially owned by Lavazza, Kicking Horse is a Fair Trade and Certified Organic coffee company that makes a mean cup of joe. And their Cliff Hanger Espresso is no exception.

This blend is the best medium roast to pair with a Moka pot, hands down. Nothing but arabica, Cliff Hanger Espresso is rich in complex flavors, including black currant, brown sugar, and milk chocolate.

For a medium roast, it produces a bold cup. And the bolder the flavor, the better the cup you’ll get when using a Moka pot. This makes it an excellent choice for coffee drinkers who like a medium roast but want optimum flavor with their Moka pot.

BEST LIGHT ROAST: AROMISTICO ITALIAN VENEZIA BLEND

Hand roasted in Italy, Aromistico Italian Venezia Blend is an exceptional light roast. While many light roasts are no match for a Moka pot, this is no ordinary light roast.

The Italian Venezia Blend has a fragrant aroma and balanced sweet flavors. Take a sip, and flavors of honey, berry, and creme will coat your palate.

Artisanally crafted, these beans are roasted in small batches and sealed tight in individual coffee bags to lock in freshness. Plus, for every 22 pounds purchased, Aromistico will plant one coffee tree.

For those who love light roasts, I recommend giving these beans a try. They pair surprisingly well with a Moka pot.

BEST MEDIUM-DARK ROAST: EQUATOR COFFEES & TEAS JAGUAR ESPRESSO

Like your espresso somewhere in between a medium and dark roast? If so, you’ll want to brew Equator Coffees & Teas Jaguar Espresso in your Moka pot.

These beans are a blend of coffees from Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Latin America. So yeah, near the equator. They’re organic, Fair Trade, and produced with the highest of standards. That’s why Jaguar Espresso tastes so supreme.

The rich, bold flavors fully come through when brewed with a Moka pot. You’ll notice a sweet, flavorful profile of hazelnut, apricot, spice, and bittersweet chocolate. All of which makes an exquisite espresso.

Milk or no milk, this medium-roast is best for those who want espresso that doesn’t require fixings. But can also be doctored up from time to time.

BEST COMPLEX ROAST: CUVEE COFFEE KARMADILLO BOLD ESPRESSO BLEND

Do you love a complex, bold roast that packs a punch of flavor? Cuvee Coffee Karmadillo Bold Espresso Blend is for you.

This dark roast has a complex profile that shines when brewed with a Moka pot. There are deep notes of tobacco, molasses, and baker’s chocolate. Rich and tasty, a cup of this espresso will jolt awake sleepy eyes and taste buds alike.

Handcrafted in Texas, Cuvee Coffee is a veteran-owned company that uses only Arabica beans and sustainable practices. They use a Direct Trade model along with ethically sourced coffee to bring you an all-around quality product.

While there are many bold roasts, Karmadillo Bold Espresso Blend is genuinely one of a kind. The range of complexity makes it a stellar option for Moka pots and bold coffee lovers alike.

BEST LOW-ACIDITY: LIFEBOOST DARK ROAST

Finding a premium dark roast for a Moka pot that’s also low in acidity can be challenging. That’s why I highly recommend Lifeboost Dark Roast.

Brewing a dark roast in a Moka pot can often mean more acidic coffee. Luckily, the Lifeboost Dark Roast is processed to reduce acidity for a cleaner tasting cup.

These single-origin beans are grown in the mountains of Nicaragua and sourced from bird-friendly farms. Additionally, Lifeboost tests all their beans for toxins, so you get nothing but pure coffee.

Lifeboost not only makes premium beans, but they use better business practices to do so. Purchase a bag of the Dark Roast, and you’ll be happy to hear you’re getting non-GMO, Certified Organic, and Climate Pledge sustainability.

If you want low-acid coffee produced with care, go with Lifeboost Dark Roast. This will make one fine brew with a Moka pot.

BEST MOKA GROUND COFFEE: ILLY CLASSICO MEDIUM ROAST MOKA

With the Illy Classico Medium Roast Moka, your coffee comes ground specifically for a Moka pot. This is a feature I highly appreciate because it means less work trying to dial in on the perfect grind. It also makes it easier to achieve the correct Moka pot coffee ratio.

If you’re worried about freshness, rest assured because Illy has you covered. They pressurize their grounds in an air-free coffee canister to make sure they arrive at your home fresh. That way, all you need to do is add them to your Moka pot and start brewing.

With notes of caramel and chocolate, the Classico Medium Roast Moka is sweet yet balanced. Morning brew or after-dinner coffee, this is an excellent choice for anyone who wants their espresso perfectly ground for a Moka pot.

BEST WITH CHOCOLATE NOTES: INTELLIGENTSIA BLACK CAT ESPRESSO

Do you love coffee with chocolate notes? Then you have got to try Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso.

These sweet beans have a dark chocolate flavor profile that includes notes of dark sugar and stone fruit. Brew this blend in a Moka pot, and you’ll get a rich espresso that’s fitting for dessert.

Intelligentsia is a Direct Trade company which means they buy straight from the source to ensure optimum quality. Take a sip of Black Cat Espresso, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Pair this with a touch of heavy cream and your favorite chocolate dessert for a special treat.

BEST CARBON NEGATIVE COFFEE: TINY FOOTPRINT COFFEE NICARAGUA SEGOVIA DARK ROAST

If you worry about the impact of your coffee consumption, consider Tiny Footprint Coffee Nicaragua Segovia Dark Roast. This dark roast is ideal for a Moka pot and better for the environment.

Featuring 100 percent arabica beans, Nicaragua Segovia is exceptionally bold with apricot, fig, chocolate, and spice notes. Brew it in the Moka pot, and you’ll get a divine robust morning cup.

For every bag you buy, Tiny Footprint donates to reforestation efforts in Ecuador. Additionally, they use compact packaging to lower carbon emissions.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or make a great cup of coffee, Tiny Footprint Coffee Nicaragua Segovia Dark Roast is an outstanding choice.

WHAT IS A MOKA POT?

The Moka pot is a stovetop Italian espresso coffee maker that Alfonso Bialetti invented in 1933. This compact manual espresso maker lets coffee lovers brew espresso at home without a big, expensive machine.
 

HOW DO YOU BREW COFFEE WITH A MOKA POT?

The Moka pot features three chambers to brew espresso. There’s a water chamber, coffee grounds filter funnel, and an upper chamber from bottom to top.

While that may sound intimidating, it couldn’t be easier. Here are six easy steps to use a Moka pot:

Step 1: Pour water into the water chamber until it is level with the valve.

Step 2: Fill the filter funnel with coffee grounds and level the grounds without packing them down. There should be about a 1:7 ratio of coffee grounds to water.

Step 3: Screw on the top chamber with the spouted lid.

Step 4: Place the Moka pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Step 5: As the water boils, the pressure will force it through the filter funnel and push espresso into the upper chamber. When the coffee makes a gurgling sound, remove it from the stove.

Step 6: Once the coffee stops bubbling, it’s ready.
 

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE COFFEE BEANS FOR A MOKA POT?

There are two factors to consider when finding the right coffee beans for your Moka pot: grind and roast. Here’s what you need to know about both so you can brew the ultimate cup.
 

GRIND

Choosing the right Moka pot grind size is the most important factor to consider. Too fine, and you’ll clog the coffee maker, and too coarse, and your brew will turn out watery.

So what’s the solution? Medium to a medium-fine grind. This will allow for complete flavor extraction and let the water flow through each chamber without causing too much pressure to build up.

I also recommend grinding your beans if you can, and this will let you have more control to ensure you’re using your Moka pot properly. If you don’t have a grinder, look for coffee beans that are labeled as Moka ground.
 

ROAST

Generally speaking, coffee lovers opt for a Moka pot because they want rich, robust coffee. That’s why dark to medium roasts are recommended, and this includes espresso roasts.

Darker roasts tend to work better with the Moka pot pressure level. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use a lighter roast. By all means, I say experiment!

Just keep in mind a lighter roast may not be as flavorful as with other coffee makers.
 

DOES ALL MOKA POT COFFEE TASTE BITTER?

Moka pots often get a bad rap for producing bitter coffee. Truth be told, any coffee maker can make bitter coffee.

So while it can happen with a Moka pot, it’s not always the case. And, when it is, it’s not always the Moka pot’s fault.

Bitter coffee is a common scenario that happens when you over-extract coffee. What do I mean by that? Well, I mean, you over-brewed your beans. This happens when you brew too long or expose your beans to too much hot water.

Another common reason why coffee is too bitter is the beans themselves are bitter. This is common with Darker roasts. And since darker beans are recommended for Moka pots, it’s not hard to see why they get all the blame.

If you find your Moka pot brew is too bitter for your liking, try reducing the brew time. You could also adjust the coarseness of your grounds or brew over a lower heat.

If you’re still getting bitter coffee, perhaps it’s time to switch to a different brand.
 

CONCLUSION

A Moka pot means you can brew rich espresso without a fancy automatic machine. When finding compatible beans, dark and medium roasts are supreme. Which you choose, however, is a matter of preference.

If you like complex layers, go with Cuvee Coffee Karmadillo Bold Espresso Blend. If you prefer low-acidity, Lifeboost Dark Roast is a wonderful choice. However, for the best all-around, you can’t beat the balance of Lavazza Espresso Italiano.

With the right beans and some practice, you can dial in on your Moka pot technique to get the perfect cup of coffee every time.