Best Coffee For Moka Pot: 13 Top Picks

Want to find the best coffee for Moka pot? Check out our review of top coffees and a buying guide so you can make your perfect cup of joe.

In a rush? Our top choice is Lifeboost Espresso Coffee!

Finding the best coffee for Moka Pot can be really tricky.

In this article, I’ll list my top picks for Moka Pot coffees.

I always use my Moka Pot and spend hours testing different brands.

I’ll even give you a buying guide on things to look for when getting coffee for your Moka Pot.

Let’s get started!

Recommended

Lifeboost Espresso

From $24

This bold and dark Espresso Coffee has a smokier and fuller flavor, making it the perfect complement to creamy lattes or sweet add-ins.

Buy Now

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1. Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast

As detailed in our Lifeboost coffee review, this up-and-coming roaster keeps putting out winning coffees. And this one another choice ideal for Mok pots.

It’s a medium-dark roast that gives you a smooth, balanced, and rich-tasting coffee. So that means it’s a great daily brewer. And when I say daily brewer, I mean you can brew this repeatedly and never get tired of it.

The 100% Arabica blend means it’s of higher quality and tastes better than an Arabica/Robusta blend. The benefit of that? You get a smoother and more balanced cup.

That’s another reason it’s a great daily drinker.

The Central American blend gives it an almost buttery flavor, making it a great Moka Pot coffee. I find that the subtler flavor notes do better in the Moka style.

The low acidity means it does well with cream and sugar.

The only downside is that it’s still a blend, so you lose some of the unique flavors and notes of single-origin coffees.

Pros

• Medium-dark roast that leaves you with a balanced, smooth, and rich coffee, which makes it a great daily brewer
• 100% Arabica beans make it a higher quality than a Robusta bean blend
• a Central American blend, which means it has a smooth and almost buttery flavor, which makes it a great Moka Pot choice
• Has a low acidity, which means it goes well with cream and sugar

Cons

• It’s still a blend, so you lose some unique flavors and profiles
• Cheaper Moka pot coffee is available locally
• US and North America only

2. Lifeboost Espresso Whole Bean Espresso Coffee

Moka pot is as close as you can get to an espresso without having an espresso machine. That’s why Lifeboost’s espresso roast is an excellent choice for those who want to make an espresso-style brew with their Moka pot. It makes a great base for espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

This coffee offers a bold and dark flavor profile with a smokey and full taste. If you are looking for a robust coffee experience, these flavor notes are going to give it to you. Plus, it’s Arabica coffee, so it won’t be overly bitter.

Lifeboost is known for its meticulous production process. This includes hand-picked beans, washed with spring water, and sun-dried, which preserves the natural flavors and ensures top quality. Furthermore, Lifeboost coffee is organic and third-party tested for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and over 400 other toxins. This guarantees a clean and safe coffee experience.

However, for high-quality coffee, you will need to pay the price. Lifeboost is expensive, so if you are a casual coffee drinker on a budget, you might need to search elsewhere.

Pros

• Shade-grown on high altitudes, which provides an ideal environment for growing exceptional beans
• Sustainably grown,  you sou can rest assured you are supporting eco-friendly practices
• Certified organic and 3rd party-tested for toxins, making it free of chemicals and additives
• .Freshly roasted each time you place an order, so you can be sure you get a fresh batch every time

Cons

• On the expensive side, so it’s not for those on a budget

Recommended

Lifeboost Espresso

From $24

This bold and dark Espresso Coffee has a smokier and fuller flavor, making it the perfect complement to creamy lattes or sweet add-ins.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

3. Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast

Volcanica seems never to disappoint when it comes to quality coffee. And this espresso roast is also a winner.

The dark roast coffee gives a caramel sweetness and intensity, which means it works awesome in a Moka Pot coffee maker. I drank this coffee for a long time when I was brewing my Moka Pot every day, and let me tell you, I loved every cup.

It has a light acidity, so I found that it worked really well when I wanted to add cream and sugar to my morning brew.

But it also tasted great on its own!

Volcanica designed this coffee as an espresso, which means it works well in the Moka Pot. Moka Pot isn’t technically an espresso machine, but it makes a small and strong coffee, so it works.

The only downside is that the coffee beans are a little oily. So you must stay on top of cleaning your Moka Pot every few uses.

Pros

• The dark roast gives it a caramel sweetness and intensity, making it a great Moka coffee
• It has a light acidity, making it a good choice for pairing with cream and sugar
• It’s a coffee designed for espresso, which means it was designed in part for the Moka Pot
• It’s Kosher Certified, which means there were no chemicals used while processing this coffee

Cons

• These coffee beans are oily, so you’ll need to clean your Moka Pot more often

4. Volcanica Cafe Cubano Miami Espresso Coffee

Cafe Cubano is a traditional Cuban Coffee espresso blend crafted from a combination of Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala beans. It’s the perfect coffee for a Moka pot since the widespread use of this brewer in the 20th century led to the café Cubano as we know it.

Volcanica Cafe Cubano is low-acid, which makes it a good choice for those who prefer a coffee that won’t cause stomach discomfort. The beans undergo a washed process, contributing to their smoothness and well-rounded taste.

The dark roast brings out the full-body and rich texture that complements any espresso-based drink such as a latte. The roast profile harmonizes perfectly with demerara sugar, making it great for Cuban coffee recipes. The velvety body and bold flavor notes of bitter dark chocolate, caramel, and macadamia nuts make the addition of cream or sugar enhance the flavor and not overpower it.

However, keep in mind this is very bold and slightly bitter coffee. So it’s not really for those who like to drink it black, and especially not for those who like nuanced and bright flavor notes.

Pros

• Captures the essence of traditional Cuban Coffee brewed in a Moka pot
• A Blend of Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala beans creates a strong and robust espresso
• Low acidity makes it gentle on the stomach and palate
• Ethically sourced beans from Central and South America ensure a socially responsible coffee choice

Cons

• Might be too bitter and bold for those who like bright and nuanced brews

5. Volcanica French Roast Coffee

Volcanica French roast is the darkest roast, which makes it a great choice for a bold Moka pot brew. Volcanica French roast has all the richness and depth you can expect from this kind of roast. You will get pronounced smoky overtones and heavy notes of bitter dark chocolate, lemon, cherries, and thick syrup tones. Plus, it’s a low-acid coffee, so you can expect it to be gentle on your palate and stomach.

Volcanica French roast beans are of superb quality. First, it’s Arabica coffee, which is of higher quality and smoother flavor than Robusta. Plus, Arabica beans can withstand high heat during roasting without losing character. Also, the coffee is organically grown, Rainforest Alliance, and Fair-Trade Certified, so you can rest assured it has been produced sustainably and ethically.

The great thing is that you can buy whole-bean or ground coffee. Whole beans are great if you own a grinder since you can have freshly ground coffee any time you want. However, if you don’t have a grinder, Voklcanica offers three different types of grind sizes, including espresso grind, which is suitable for Moka pot.

One downside of this coffee is that dark roasted beans lose some complexity due to the longer roasting process. If you prefer more complex flavor notes, go for lighter roasts.

Pros

• The bold flavor profile and smokey chocolatey notes make it a great choice for a Moka pot brew
• High-quality Arabica coffee beans ensure a consistent and smooth flavor that can withstand the intense roasting process
• This coffee carries the Kosher Certification, guaranteeing its compliance with specific standards and quality requirements
• You can choose between whole beans and ground coffee, so you can enjoy it even if you don’t have a grinder

Cons

• Dark roasted beans lose some complexity

6. Illy Moka Medium Roast

Illy is a great roaster that’s been around a long time. Part of that history is designing coffees specifically for Moka Pots.

This coffee was created for stovetop espresso brewing, making it a solid and reliable choice for you.

It’s a 100% Arabica blend. That means it has a smooth, rich body and tastes much better than an Arabica/Robusta blend.

This is a great option if you don’t prefer a dark roast espresso. It’s a medium roast that leaves you with a smooth, somewhat bright, well-rounded Moka Pot coffee.

And yes, it is a blend, but it’s a blend from around the world. That means you get a great, classic, diner-style coffee from your stovetop espresso maker.

The only downside is that it only comes ground. So you will lose some of the freshness and quality you would get grinding the coffee beans yourself.

Pros

• This blend is specific for the Moka Pot, as it was designed with the stovetop brewer in mind
• It’s a 100% Arabica bean blend, which means it is of higher quality than a Robusta bean blend
• It’s a medium roast, so you will find it smooth, a touch bright, and well-rounded
• It’s a blend from around the world, so you’re left with a coffee that has a classic, diner-style taste

Cons

• It comes as a coffee ground, so you lose some of the freshness you would get if you ground the beans yourself

7. Coffee Bean Direct Dark Sulawesi Kalossi

Alright, let’s talk about Indonesian coffee like this Sulawesi Kalossi.

It’s a super dark roast coffee, almost as dark as dark gets. So you get a really rich, smooth, and intense body. But you also get a low acidity.

Indonesian coffees are known for their earthy flavor and exotic aroma. This coffee is no different.

I find that the earthy flavors of Indonesian coffees do best when brewed strong, like in a Moka Pot coffee maker. It also means they make great winter morning coffee.

Coffee Bean Direct even has an option for grinding specifically for percolators when you buy, so it’s a great option if you don’t have a grinder at home.

Plus, it’s a single-origin coffee, so you’ll still get a lot of the flavors unique to the region.

The only downside is that Indonesia isn’t known for exception flavors, so I would actually recommend drinking this with cream and sugar.

Pros

• It’s a super dark roast, which means it has a smooth body and low acidity, making it a great Moka Pot coffee to pair with cream and sugar
• This comes from Indonesia, which means it has an earthy flavor, exotic aroma, and a heavy body, making it a great winter morning coffee
• When you buy, you can ask for it to be ground for a percolator, which is a nice touch
• It’s a single-origin coffee, so you get a lot of flavors unique to the region

Cons

• Indonesian coffees aren’t known for their exceptional flavors, so I would actually recommend adding cream and sugar

8. Lavazza Espresso Italiano

Lavazza is another one of my favorite roasters. They are consistent and reliable. And this Espresso Italiano roast is a staple in their lineup.

It’s actually recommended for Moka Pot. And if Lavazza recommends it for Moka Pot, you can rest assured it will taste great.

They use 100% Arabica beans for this coffee, which means it tastes better and is of higher quality than an Arabica/Robusta blend.

The blend is mostly Brazilian coffee, with the typical intensity and fun nutty flavors.

The dark roast of this blend gives it a smooth body and fun aroma. That makes it a great daily brewer with or without cream and sugar.

The only downside is that it only comes in 8 oz packages. So buying this coffee in bulk is difficult.

Pros

• This coffee is made for an espresso maker, and actually recommended for Moka Pot, which means it will give you consistent and delicious brews
• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are of higher quality and better taste than Robusta coffee bean blends
• Lavazza is a respected roaster, so you can be sure the coffee beans are evenly roasted and delicious
• The dark roast gives this coffee a smooth body and fun aroma, making it a great daily brewer with or without cream and sugar

Cons

• It only comes in 8 oz packages, making buying in bulk hard

9. Lavazza Gran Riserva Filtro

Yes, Lavazza has more than one great Moka Pot coffee in their lineup. This Gran Riserva is a wonderful Moka Pot brew.

It’s a dark roast blend, so it does have an intense profile. But the hints of cocoa and caramel make it a delicious option for brewing small strong coffees.

This is a mostly Brazilian blend, so you’ll also get a lot of the nutty flavors typical of Brazilian coffees. Personally, I find that Brazilian coffee is really great in the Moka Pot.

This isn’t technically an espresso blend, but the reality is that it doesn’t really matter that much. It’s actually one of the smoothest Moka Pot coffees out there.

Plus, it’s a 100% Arabica blend, so it’s tastier than an Arabica/Robusta blend.

The only downside is that it doesn’t come ground. You’ll need a grinder to enjoy this coffee at home.

Pros

• It’s a dark roast blend, so it has an intense profile with hints of cocoa and caramel, which taste really good when brewed in a Moka Pot
• It has a full body that’s typical of Brazilian coffees, so you’ll get intense aromatics along with the intense flavor
• It’s a 100% Arabica bean blend, which tastes better and smoother than a Robusta blend
• While it’s not technically an espresso blend, it’s actually one of the smoothest coffees when brewed in a Moka Pot

Cons

• It doesn’t come ground, so you’ll need a grinder to enjoy this coffee

10. Hawaii Coffee Co Kona Estate Medium Roast

If you aren’t familiar with Hawaiian coffee, there’s really only one thing to know: it’s a prized coffee that’s highly sought after and really, really good.

Kona Estate Coffee is one of the best in the world, so you can be sure you’ll get great coffee when you buy this Hawaii Coffee Co medium roast.

It’s always single-origin, so you get the unique flavors and profiles of Kona coffee without worrying about a blend.

While it says medium roast, it’s actually a custom roasting profile. That means that the roaster creates the roast specifically for each batch of coffee. That ensures you get the best possible roast for creating a great flavor and brew.

It has a lively and clean body, making it a great Moka Pot option.

The only thing that you should note is that it doesn’t do well with cream and sugar. But most Kona coffee fans will tell you that you shouldn’t add them anyway!

Pros

• Kona Estate coffee is a prized coffee around the world, so the taste and quality are unmatched
• Kona coffee is always single-origin, so you get a unique and dedicated flavor profile
• It’s roasted to a custom profile instead of dark, medium, or light, which means you get a specific and purposeful flavor
• It has a lively and clean body, making it a great Moka coffee

Cons

• Because it’s a lighter roast, it doesn’t do as well with cream and sugar

11. Bristot Moka Oro Ground Espresso Coffee

This Bristot coffee was designed specifically for Moka Pot.

Yeah, that means it’s a great option.

Need more proof? It has notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and sandalwood. It’s smooth and rich and perfect for Moka Pot.

It’s an interesting blend of 70% Brazilian Arabica and 30% Indian Robusta. That makes it pretty unique. India isn’t a huge producer of coffee.

Plus, this was made for strong brewing, like in the Moka Pot coffee maker. You’ll get delicious brews every single time.

It’s a medium roast with a smooth and balanced flavor. The blend of Arabica and Robusta gives it some intensity, but the roast mellows it out some.

It goes great with cream and sugar.

You should note that the robusta means it has elevated caffeine content.

Pros

• Tasting notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and sandalwood make this a great Moka Pot coffee for espresso-style cups
• It’s designed for stronger brewers like the Moka Pot, so you’ll get delicious and consistent results every time
• It’s a medium roast, so you get a smooth and balanced flavor from your brews
• It’s a blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta, so you get a bold and intense flavor profile that goes well with cream and sugar

Cons

• Because it’s a Robust and Arabica blend, it doesn’t do well on its own and should be paired with cream and sugar
• The Robusta blend means this coffee has a ton of caffeine

12. Bialetti Perfetto Moka Classico

Need an extra boost in the morning from your Moka Pot? Want to add intensity to an already intense brewer?

Then this Bialetti Perfetto Moka Classico is for you.

It’s a 50/50 Arabica/Robusta blend, so you get an intense profile and rounded cup. It goes well with cream and sugar.

And it was designed with the Moka Pot in mind, so you’ll get consistent brews and delicious coffee every morning.

It has a creamy and aromatic intensity, which makes it a great daily brewer.

It has flavors of light sweetness, florals, and dried fruit, which come out really well in the medium roast. And because of that profile, it tastes fine without cream and sugar.

Be aware, though, that because of the 50% Robusta beans, this coffee has a lot of caffeine.

Pros

• This coffee was designed for the Moka Pot coffee maker, so you can be sure you’ll get consistent and delicious coffee every time you brew
• The profile is full-bodied with creamy and aromatic intensity, so it’s a rounded coffee that’s a great daily brewer
• It’s a 50/50 Arabica/Robusta blend, so you get an intense and rounded cup that goes well with cream and sugar
• Flavors of light sweetness, florals, and dried fruit in the medium roast, so this coffee actually tastes good without cream and sugar

Cons

• The 50/50 Arabica/Robusta blend means this coffee has a ton of caffeine because Robusta coffee beans have more caffeine than Arabica beans

13. Bustelo Supreme Espresso Coffee

This is an interesting Latin-style coffee. It goes great in a Moka Pot because it’s meant to be brewed small and strong.

It’s 100% Arabica, so you get a clean and crisp coffee that’s tastier and of higher quality than an Arabica/Robusta blend.

You’ll get a rich and bold flavor typical of a Latin-style espresso coffee. It’s perfect for pairing with cream and sugar.

Pro tip: add raw sugar to your Moka Pot’s top to get a sweet Cubano-style espresso.

But because this coffee is rich, smooth, and has low acidity, it tastes great on its own.

The only thing is that it’s a medium roast, which takes away from some possible flavors. I would prefer this in a dark roast.

Pros

• The espresso-style coffee is great for Moka Pot, and you’ll get delicious Latino-style espresso with this coffee
• The Supreme blend is 100% Arabica, which means you’ll get a cleaner and crisper coffee than an Arabica/Robusta blend
• This coffee has a rich and bold flavor, perfect for pairing with cream and sugar
• Latino-style espresso makes smooth, rich, and low-acidic coffee, so it’s good on its own as well

Cons

• The medium roast actually takes away from the possible flavors, I would prefer this in a darker roast

Buying the best coffee for a Moka pot

Buying coffee for Moka Pots involves understanding and appreciating the subtleties of different coffee types. And as promised, it’s time for me to tell you what I look for when I’m buying coffee to brew in my Moka Pot.

And as promised, it’s time for me to tell you what I look for when I’m buying coffee to brew in my Moka Pot.

What type of grind should you look for?

Always grind whole-bean coffee yourself if you can!

Grinding at home means you get fresh coffee grounds and the best possible taste. When you buy pre-ground coffee, more of the beans get exposed to oxygen and start to lose their flavor.

So always buy the whole coffee beans if possible.

Getting an entry-level grinder is really easy and relatively cheap. It’s the best way to level up your home brewing game!

You will need a finer grind for the Moka pot, so choose the fine grind option on your coffee grinder.

If you must buy pre-ground coffee, look for the roaster’s grinding options. A lot of times, for espresso or dark roasts, the roaster will offer a percolator or Moka Pot-specific grind.

Choose that option if it’s there.

If not, going with a grind for the espresso machine is fine. Ideally, you’d go a touch coarser than an espresso grind. So say espresso grind is a 1/10, go for something like a 2 or 3/10.

IN A NUTSHELL
Always grind yourself, but if you can’t, get the fine coffee grind. Or choose the percolator grinding option if it’s offered.

What roast level is best?

The roast is almost always up to your personal taste!

If you prefer the acidity and brightness of a light roast, then, by all means, go for the light roasts.

If you like the boldness and richness of dark roasts, then go for a dark roast coffee.

Like something in the middle? Then a medium roast will be your best bet.

From personal experience, a medium-dark roast gave me the best Moka Pot coffee.

That’s because I didn’t brew too strong and wanted something I could put cream in but could drink black.

Going with something darker might be a good choice if you want a stronger, more espresso-style coffee.

But, again, the roast level is always up to you. Try a few different roasts and pick out one that fits your desired taste and flavors.

BOTTOM LINE
It’s up to personal taste. Darker roasts will give you stronger, more intense Moka Pot coffees. Lighter roasts will be more interesting and unique.

What origin should you buy?

As with roast levels, the origin is always up to you. Each region and country has its own specific tastes and profiles.

Blends of those countries or regions will result in fun and interesting combinations of flavors. 

For example, I prefer Guatemalan coffees for their chocolatey and smooth flavor. But I also like them blended with African coffees, which are brighter and taste more like pink lemonade.

The reality is that you should try a few different origins and blends. Then pick out a few that you really like and find single-origin and blended options.

The bottom line is that coffee is all about personal taste. No one can tell you that one coffee tastes better than another.

IN A NUTSHELL
It’s a personal taste! But I would recommend trying a bunch of different origins and finding a few that you really like.

Picking the right Moka Pot coffee brand

Look for coffee that is sold in airtight and lightproof packaging. Exposure to air and light can speed up the coffee’s stale process. Choose high-quality, specialty coffee whenever possible. It may cost a bit more, but the taste difference is noticeable. Finally, always buy from a reputable source. Check out local roasters or specialty coffee shops where you can get expert advice.

The final word on Moka Pot Coffee

My first choices are Lifeboost and Volcania Espresso Dark Roast.

It has a caramel sweetness and intensity, which means it brews consistently and is delicious in a Moka Pot.

Plus, it’s made for the espresso machine, so it works great when brewed small and strong.

And the smooth, low acidity means it pairs well with cream and sugar.

But as always, your coffee is up to you!