The Best Coffee Beans for Moka Pots

Moka pots are popular for home and office coffee brews all over South Africa. The key to getting the most out of them is to make sure you have the right coffee beans for the job. There are a lot of different options to choose from on the market, and finding the best fit for your palate might require some trial and error. It will however help if you know where to start your explorative search. The selection of coffee beans covered here today are ideal for first-time or regular Moka pot coffee markets. 

The Origins of Moka Pots

Moka pots, often referred to as stove-top or electric coffee makers, are best known for brewing coffee through a process of passing steam pressurised boiling water through ground coffee. Its origins date back to an Italian coffee lover called Alfonso Bialetti, who in 1933 invented it and named it after a city called Mocha. It wasn’t long before all of Italy was scrambling to get their hands on a Moka pot, and since then it has become a staple in the country, elsewhere in Europe, and even as far as in South Africa too. 

Choosing the Right Coffee Beans

Picking the right coffee beans for your coffee pot means considering more than just its price. Start by making sure you are tapping into the right grind size. Moka pot brews are best with medium-fine, or simply medium grounds. They should be somewhere between those you use for a traditional drip machine while less power-like than espresso machines. Regular beans are usually way too fine and end up creating burnt and bitter brews. The best way to find the right combo is to buy whole bean coffee and to grind it yourself before use. 

Coffee beans that can be used for a Moka pot being held out by a person with both hands

The Best Moka Pot Coffee Beans

At the end of the day, finding the best moka pot coffee beans will require a little bit of experimentation. It will come down to personal preference at the end of the day. Any medium roast beans should do the trick, like those offered by illy or Lavazza. Locally produced beans are also worth exploring, especially as many coffee makers are tailoring their beans to complement Moka pot brewing. Ask your local barista what they would recommend, try different options, and you’ll know what the best option for your taste is before you can say “delicious”. 

Your Next Coffee Machine Sorted

At Aquaspresso, we love encouraging our customers to keep honing their home coffee craft. Our learning centre was established with this in mind. From Moka pot brew through to more traditional options, our team is happy to answer any question you might have in order to elevate your experience. If you’re after a new coffee machine, or simply want to be pointed in the right direction for a Moka pot upgrade, reach out to us today and we’d be happy to give you a heads up about your options. We offer for sale and rental machines in-house too, in order to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the best coffee possible every day.