{"id":905,"date":"2021-10-05T10:26:55","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T10:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mocacream.com\/newsite\/?p=68"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:38:59","slug":"moca-cream-vs-moleanos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mocacream.com\/newwebsite\/blog\/analysis\/moca-cream-vs-moleanos\/","title":{"rendered":"Limestone comparison: Moca Cream vs. Moleanos"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Moca Cream<\/a> and the Moleanos<\/a> are the two most important beige colored limestones from Portugal<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and there is normally some confusion about which limestone is which, what are the main differences between them, what are its main characteristics, which leads to a final choice.<\/p>\n

We make here a brief comparison between both limestones, on an attempt to demystify any doubts that people may have about these two beautiful Portuguese beige colored limestones.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Limestone comparison<\/h2>\n

Both\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> and\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> are beige colored limestone that are extracted in the central part of Portugal<\/em>, at the main limestone extraction area in the country. Technically these two limestones share a similar history and composition background, with its extraction areas being only separated by not more than 20 kilometers.<\/p>\n

\"Moca<\/p>\n

\"Moca<\/p>\n

Despite these common points, there are three main factors that distinguish both limestones from each other:<\/p>\n

– Appearance<\/span><\/strong>: while the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> is characterized by its fairly uniform beige colored background<\/em> (with some presence of fossils), the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> main characteristic is its uniform parallel vein and beige colored background<\/em>.<\/p>\n

– Technical properties<\/span><\/strong>: the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> limestone is a fairly harder type of limestone<\/em>, being commonly used in distinct flooring applications<\/em><\/strong>. This is not the case with the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a>, which does not have such hardness<\/em>, being mostly used in coverings and cladding applications.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Variations<\/span><\/strong>: this is perhaps one of the points where these limestone diverge the most. While the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> present some blue color variations in relation to the beige color<\/em>, the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> can have variations as cross cut or vein cut.<\/em><\/p>\n

Alternative limestones?<\/h2>\n

Despite these evident differences, can we consider the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> an alternative to the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> limestone, and vice-versa? In many cases yes.<\/p>\n

These two limestones have few things in common, where it is possible to find the exact type of variation that match the other limestone. For example, on the picture below, you can see how visually similar the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> fine grain cross cut is in relation to the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> fine grain. We see that the\u00a0Moca Cream<\/a> presents a shadow structure with some dispersed grain, while the\u00a0Moleanos<\/a> presents a more uniform grain background. However, if we present both limestones with a honed finishing, it will be fairly hard to tell the difference.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a good example on how these two limestones can be alternatives to each other<\/em><\/strong>. They are technically different, but if we are trying to match appearance, it is possible to find a result.<\/p>\n

\"Moca<\/p>\n

But despite any possible attempts in trying to present these limestones as direct competitors and alternatives, the reality is that they are fairly different limestones<\/em><\/strong> that often cater to different market segments and projects. And they will both continue to have their own individual identity as reference beige limestones.<\/em><\/p>\n

How to choose Moca Cream limestone<\/h2>\n