Limestone

Mocca Creme-Fine Grain

Mocca Creme Fine Grain is the fine-grained, isotropically cut variant of the classic Portuguese Moca Creme limestone from Alcanede, with a warm cream-beige ground tone and fine fossil inclusions. Proven for decades in the German market for interior floors, wall cladding and sheltered external surfaces.

Limestone Portugal 2.515 kg/m³

Available as: Skirting

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About Mocca Creme-Fine Grain

Mocca Creme Fine Grain denotes the non-directional standard cut of the classic Portuguese Moca Creme limestone. The ground tone is a warm cream-beige to sand colour, shot through with fine fossil inclusions and occasional lighter veins — the traces of marine organisms deposited around 170 million years ago in a shallow Jurassic sea. In contrast to the CONTRA cut variant with its clearly visible bedding, the Fine Grain grade shows a quiet, largely even material surface without strong directional structure. It is precisely this flexibility in planning that makes the stone one of the most frequently used Portuguese building limestones in Germany: for large-area interior floors, wall cladding, stairs, façade surfaces in sheltered positions and prestige interior fit-outs.

Geologically, Mocca Creme Fine Grain is a bioclastic limestone from the region of Alcanede and Porto de Mós in the district of Santarém in central Portugal. The quarries near Péda Pedreira are among the traditional Portuguese natural stone deposits; the material has been exported for decades for demanding architectural applications. Petrographically the stone consists of almost 100 % calcite — a high-purity carbonate limestone with a characteristically high proportion of fossilised shell fragments and foraminifera. On the international market the material also runs under the trade names Moca Creme, Moka Cream Limestone, Crema Mocca, Mocha Cream Limestone and Relvinha.

Technically, Mocca Creme Fine Grain is a solid Portuguese building limestone: bulk density 2,515 kg/m³, compressive strength 92.7 MPa, compressive strength after frost 86.7 MPa, flexural strength 19.6 MPa, water absorption 2.34 %, thermal expansion 0.53 mm/m/100K. Wear resistance is 4 cm³/50 cm². One important peculiarity: Mocca Creme achieves only a matt sheen; a high-gloss polish cannot be attained with this stone, because the fine-grained carbonate structure scatters light reflection. This silky matt feel is valued on the market as a design plus. Chemically the stone remains acid-sensitive (100 % calcite): wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic bathroom cleaners leave etch marks.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Mocca Creme Fine Grain as an unsized slab for wall cladding and floors, in tiles for floor and wall surfaces, as tread and riser, window sill, skirting, façade cladding and project-specific cutting. In choosing the finish, the application decides: polished gives a matt sheen with warm depth and is the classic choice for prestige interiors and large floor areas. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with classic Italian building limestones such as Botticino, or Crema Marfil from Spain, Mocca Creme appears somewhat warmer and sandier, with markedly more visible fossil inclusions — an honest, materially characteristic limestone feel rather than a dramatic vein pattern. Compared with the CONTRA cut variant (M3/M4 CONTRA), the slab pattern remains markedly quieter and more flexible in planning. For classically elegant interior fit-outs with a warm Mediterranean feel, Mocca Creme Fine Grain has been the Portuguese building limestone standard in the German market for decades.

Technical data

Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.

Rohdichte 2.515 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 92,7 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 19,6 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 2,34 %

Säurebeständig Nein

Suitability by application

Finishes

Mocca Creme-Fine Grain is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung für Marmor und Kalkstein — eine glänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und ausgeprägter Tiefenwirkung der Aderung. Je nach mineralischer Zusammensetzung kann die Wirkung stellenweise mattglänzend sein. Säureempfindlich — Wein, Zitrone und Essig hinterlassen Ätzspuren bei längerer Einwirkung.

Care & fabrication

As a carbonate limestone, Mocca Creme Fine Grain is acid-sensitive. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For all applications, a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer is mandatory. It prevents the penetration of water, oil and dyes — particularly important with a limestone at 2.34 % water absorption, because otherwise stains can penetrate deeply. We recommend refreshing the sealer every 1-2 years, more frequently on heavily used floors.

Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth or mop. Avoid vinegar-based cleaners, cement haze removers, acidic bathroom cleaners and strongly alkaline products. Wine, coffee, oil, lemon juice or coloured cosmetic products should not be left standing on the surface for long.

For kitchen worktops, Mocca Creme Fine Grain is suitable only with qualifications. The material is classically used rather for floors, wall cladding and façades. Anyone wanting the warm Mediterranean material character in the kitchen should reckon with patina or choose a more maintenance-friendly quartzite or granite alternative.

Outdoors, Mocca Creme can be used in sheltered positions with proper installation to falls and an intact sealer — the compressive strength after frost (86.7 MPa) indicates moderate frost resistance. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mocca Creme Fine Grain suitable for a kitchen?

With qualifications. As an acid-sensitive limestone at 2.34 % water absorption, Mocca Creme works as a kitchen worktop only with accepted patina, consistent sealing and immediate removal of acids. The classic use is as a floor tile, wall cladding and stair arrangement. For carefree pale kitchen worktops we recommend a warm-toned quartzite.

Which finishes are available for Mocca Creme Fine Grain?

The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

What does Fine Grain mean with Mocca Creme?

Fine Grain denotes the non-directionally cut standard variant of the Mocca Creme limestone. In contrast to the CONTRA cut variant (M3 CONTRA, M4 CONTRA), Fine Grain shows a quiet, evenly structured slab pattern without strong bedding direction — more flexible in planning and more harmonious over large areas.

Where does Mocca Creme Fine Grain come from?

Mocca Creme Fine Grain comes from the Péda Pedreira quarries near Alcanede and Porto de Mós in the district of Santarém in central Portugal. The region is among the traditional Portuguese natural stone deposits. Geologically it is a Jurassic bioclastic limestone consisting of almost 100 % calcite. Internationally the material also runs under Moca Creme, Moka Cream, Crema Mocca, Mocha Cream and Relvinha.

How do I clean and care for Mocca Creme Fine Grain?

Sealing is mandatory — particularly important with a limestone at 2.34 % water absorption, because otherwise stains can penetrate deeply. Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth or mop. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, descalers, vinegar and citric acid. Wipe up wine, coffee or oil immediately.

Is Mocca Creme Fine Grain frost-resistant and suitable for outdoor use?

With a compressive strength after frost of 86.7 MPa, Mocca Creme is moderately frost-resistant and can be used in sheltered external positions with proper installation. Freely weathered polished external surfaces are not recommended; for external applications we recommend a matt, textured surface finish.

Mocca Creme or Botticino — which suits better?

Both are acid-sensitive pale building limestones with a similar maintenance requirement. Botticino from Italy typically appears cooler and more evenly coloured. Mocca Creme is warmer, sandier and with markedly more visible fossil inclusions — an honest Mediterranean material character. For a classic Italian feel, Botticino; for warm Portuguese interior fit-outs, Mocca Creme.