first time moka

positivenote

Hi All,
just dug out the moka pot that i was given a few years ago and Im all set to start using it at the weekends when I have the time to brew and potentially grind the beans fresh. Im just wondering what coffee i need to get for it? I dont have a grinder yet but on the look out for one, so at the min im wondering will i just go in to starbucks and ask them to grind a bag for me?
as I say it'll be my first time using it but have to say im looking forward to it, as im getting tired of the expresso machine, even though the coffee is nice and its done in an instant which suits the dash to work every morning.
Thanks

Gran Hermano

Positivenote, where are you based? You need an espresso grind. I found a grind slightly coarser than what I'd use in the espresso machines worked best for the moka.
Be careful buying pre-ground as supermarket brands tend to use espresso in reference to roast or strength (crazy!) instead of grind level. The Italian bricks of preground
from Illy and Lavazza would work ok. I think M&S do a ground coffee with a grind suitable if you're really stuck.

If you're in Dublin pop into Coffee Angel or 3Fe and let the guys know what you need, you can also check out their hand grinders.
A far superior option!

Jezek

Gran Hermano, I know this is what a lot of people advocate as a grind, but is it definitely the best option?

Different people will tell me something completely different, like the guys in Vice in TP who advocated much finer than espresso, almost like turkish grind. Then on the internet different sites might advocate for a medium coarse grind, etc etc, ...

I have experimented with a few different grinds but have not been able to conclude if one is absolutely better than the other. Any opinions/advice?

Curry Addict

i did some research on this before and the grind for Moka should be as Gran Hermano says, a little courser than espresso grind.

Jezek

Thanks Curry Addict, can you clarify what your research was? I have looked into this myself, bought a moka pot from a roastery in Rome together with their house blend and they recommended this grind.

However I have seen some other very respected people use different grinds. Any evidence for using one over the others?

Curry Addict

Jezek wrote: »

Thanks Curry Addict, can you clarify what your research was? I have looked into this myself, bought a moka pot from a roastery in Rome together with their house blend and they recommended this grind.

However I have seen some other very respected people use different grinds. Any evidence for using one over the others?

im making a coffee resource website so i read extensively on the subject.

moka is such an old traditional method, its not surprising that different people would have their own preferred variation that could be regional or passed down.

Slaphead07

Curry Addict wrote: »

moka is such an old traditional method, its not surprising that different people would have their own preferred variation that could be regional or passed down.

I find different beans need a slightly different grind too. It's never ending!

hyperborean

Illy is the best of the widely available brands to use in a Moka, Levazza is Ok and more reasonably priced if you catch the multipack.

Jezek

hyperborean wrote: »

Illy is the best of the widely available brands to use in a Moka, Levazza is Ok and more reasonably priced if you catch the multipack.

I tend to go with freshly roasted beans, Coffee Angel's beans ( I suspect Bailey?), HasBean, and CoffeeMojo beans all have given me excellent results, of course different beans work better or worse! The new Twisted Pepper blend is excellent for Moka I find.