Short answer: Yes, absolutely! You can use regular, pre-ground coffee from the grocery store in your moka pot. I've been doing it for years with excellent results.
The key is choosing the right grind size. Regular coffee comes in different grinds—and moka pots work best with medium-fine to fine grind, NOT the coarse grind meant for drip coffee makers.
Let me show you exactly which regular coffees work great, which to avoid, and how to get perfect results every time.
Quick Answer
Best regular coffees for moka pot:
- ✓ Café Bustelo (espresso grind) - $4-5
- ✓ Lavazza Qualità Rossa (medium-fine) - $8-10
- ✓ Illy Ground Coffee (medium) - $10-12
- ✓ Medaglia d'Oro (espresso grind) - $6-8
- ❌ Folgers/Maxwell House (too coarse)
What Counts as "Regular" Coffee?
When I say "regular coffee," I mean the pre-ground coffee you find at any grocery store—not specialty whole beans from a roaster. Think Café Bustelo, Folgers, Lavazza, Dunkin', or store brands.
The Two Requirements:
- Right grind size: Medium-fine to fine (like table salt)
- Fresh enough: Not stale or years old
That's it. You don't need fancy single-origin beans, you don't need to grind fresh, and you don't need to spend $15/bag. Regular coffee works perfectly if you choose the right grind.
Grind Size: The Critical Factor
This is where people mess up. Pre-ground "regular" coffee comes in different grinds depending on what brewing method it's labeled for:
| Grind Type | For Moka Pot? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso Grind | ✓ PERFECT | Café Bustelo, Medaglia d'Oro |
| Fine/Medium-Fine | ✓ GOOD | Lavazza, Illy, Peet's |
| Drip/All-Purpose | △ TOO COARSE | Folgers, Maxwell House, Dunkin' |
| Coarse/French Press | ✗ NO | Most French Press blends |
How to tell: Rub a pinch between your fingers. Should feel like fine sand or table salt—gritty but not powdery. If it feels like beach sand or you can see individual chunks, it's too coarse.
Best Regular Coffee Brands for Moka Pot
#1 Café Bustelo - $4-5
This is THE classic moka pot coffee. Available everywhere (even gas stations), dirt cheap, and specifically ground for stovetop espresso makers.
Why it's perfect:
- Pre-ground to espresso fineness
- Dark roast designed for moka pots
- Strong, bold flavor
- Widely available
- Under $5 for 10 oz
Best for: Budget-conscious, beginners, anyone
#2 Lavazza Qualità Rossa - $8-10
Italian classic. Lavazza literally makes moka pots—their coffee is designed for them. Medium-fine grind, balanced flavor.
What you get:
- Authentic Italian blend
- Less bitter than Bustelo
- Medium roast = balanced flavor
- Foil-sealed for freshness
Best for: Those who find Bustelo too strong
#3 Illy Ground Coffee - $10-12
Premium option. Pressurized can keeps it fresh for months. Medium roast with bright, complex flavors.
Premium features:
- Pressurized can = stays fresh longer
- 100% Arabica beans
- Smooth, not bitter
- Available in 3 roast levels
Best for: Those wanting the best pre-ground quality
#4 Medaglia d'Oro - $6-8
Italian-American classic. Similar to Bustelo but slightly smoother. Espresso grind, great value.
Best for: Middle ground between Bustelo and Lavazza
Regular Coffees to AVOID
❌ Folgers / Maxwell House (All-Purpose Grind)
Problem: Ground for drip coffee makers—WAY too coarse
Result: Weak, watery coffee. Won't extract properly.
❌ Starbucks Pike Place (Regular Grind)
Problem: Medium-coarse grind for drip machines
Result: Under-extracted, sour coffee.
❌ Dunkin' Original Blend
Problem: Medium grind, designed for drip
Result: Needs to be ground finer. Won't work as-is.
❌ Any "Coarse Ground" Coffee
Problem: Labeled for French Press or cold brew
Result: Terrible extraction. Extremely weak.
How to Brew Perfect Coffee with Regular Pre-Ground
Step-by-Step Method
- Use fresh(ish) coffee: Opened bag should be used within 2 months. Check the date!
- Fill loosely: Don't pack it down like espresso. Just fill the basket and level off.
- Use medium-low heat: Regular coffee can burn easily. Keep heat at 40-50%.
- Remove at first gurgle: Don't wait for the pot to empty completely.
- Stir before serving: Pre-ground coffee can settle. Stir to blend strengths.
Pro tip:
If your regular coffee still tastes weak, try filling the basket slightly fuller (mound it a bit). Pre-ground coffee is less dense than fresh-ground.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need to grind fresh beans?
A: No! Pre-ground works great. Fresh-ground is slightly better, but regular coffee gives you 90% of the quality at 1/4 the effort.
Q: Can I use Folgers if I grind it finer myself?
A: If you have a grinder, yes! Grind Folgers to fine/medium-fine and it'll work. But at that point, you might as well buy Café Bustelo pre-ground for less money.
Q: Does pre-ground coffee make worse moka pot coffee?
A: It's slightly less flavorful than fresh-ground, but honestly? Most people can't tell the difference. I use Café Bustelo 90% of the time and it's delicious.
Q: How long does pre-ground coffee stay fresh?
A: Unopened: 6-12 months (check date). Opened: 1-2 months for best flavor. Store in airtight container in cool, dark place.
Q: Is espresso roast required for moka pot?
A: No. You can use medium, medium-dark, or dark roast. The grind size matters more than the roast level. I prefer medium-dark for balanced flavor.
Cost Comparison: Regular vs Specialty
Regular Coffee (Café Bustelo)
- 10 oz brick: $4.50
- Makes ~30 cups
- Cost per cup: $0.15
- Available everywhere
- No grinder needed
Monthly cost (60 cups): $9
Specialty Whole Beans
- 12 oz bag: $15-18
- Makes ~25 cups
- Cost per cup: $0.60-0.72
- Specialty stores/online only
- Grinder required ($40-140)
Monthly cost (60 cups): $36-43
Savings: Regular coffee saves you $27-34/month ($324-408/year) compared to specialty beans. Same moka pot, 90% of the flavor.
My Honest Take
I've used both $4 Café Bustelo and $18 single-origin beans in my moka pot. The difference? Minimal. Maybe 10% better flavor with fresh-ground specialty beans.
Is that 10% improvement worth 4x the cost and having to buy a grinder? For most people, absolutely not.
Café Bustelo, Lavazza, and Illy make fantastic moka pot coffee. They're designed for it. They're convenient. They're affordable. They're available everywhere.
My Recommendation:
Start with Café Bustelo ($4-5). If you love moka pot coffee and want to experiment, THEN try fresh-ground specialty beans. But don't feel like you're "doing it wrong" by using regular coffee. You're not.
The moka pot is a working-class Italian brewing method. It was designed to make great coffee cheaply and simply. Using regular, affordable coffee honors that tradition.