What is a mocha? (2024)

Deliciously sweet, nutty and chocolatey. This creamy coffee drink is an espresso-based beverage that has been known to cause some confusion when compared to other coffees. So, what is a mocha, and where is it really from?

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Although a mocha is often interpreted differently across the world, it's basically a shot of espresso combined with a chocolate powder or syrup, followed by milk or cream. It is a variant of alatte, in the sense that it is often 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, the main difference being that a chocolate flavour is added, which can be light or dark.

What does mocha mean?

Essentially, 'mocha' means a type of coffee that is made from a specific coffee bean originally only grown in Mocha, Yemen. It also means a mixture of coffee and chocolate, or a flavouring that tastes of this.

Mocha is known to taste like a chocolatey coffee. The espresso shot offers an almost bitter taste and the chocolate adds a sweetness to create a velvety smooth, luxurious combination.

What does a mocha taste like?

It is said that a mocha tastes like a chocolatey coffee. Whilst this is true, a mocha is so much more than that. Where the espresso shot offers an almost bitter taste, the chocolate combination adds a sweetness to create a velvety smooth, luxurious beverage.

Mocha origins

It is believed that the drink was originally named after the mocha bean, historically shipped from the port of Al Mokka in Yemen. Mocha beans were known for their naturally chocolatey flavour. These days, the name mocha doesn’t reference thesecoffee beansas such, but rather the presence of added chocolateflavouringsin the coffee drink.

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