4 best recipes for making Mocha coffee (+ variety description)

When talking about mocha, you can mean both a famous type of coffee and the name of a popular drink.

The variety got its name from the Yemeni province, where coffee beans were first grown and collected, giving the drinks brewed from them a pleasant chocolate taste and aroma. Today, this variety is widely grown not only in Yemen, but also on coffee plantations in other countries. Being one of the elite varieties of Arabica, real mocha coffee has a high price and is not found in every store.

In addition to the variety of coffee beans, the name mocha also has a cocktail, for the preparation of which traditionally strong coffee, milk and chocolate are used (in some recipes it is replaced with cocoa). This drink can also be called mochaccino or chocolate latte.

Losing some of its invigorating properties due to the addition of chocolate and milk, mocha has a mild warming effect and is perfect for evening gatherings with family or close friends. You can get to know its unusual taste not only by visiting a good coffee shop, but also by starting to prepare this wonderful drink at home.

What is mocha

Most people who visit coffee shops have tried mocha at least once in their lives. However, despite its widespread use, there is confusion surrounding the name of this drink.

Similar concepts

There are several related concepts:

1. Mocha (in English can be written as mokka, mocca, mokas) is the name of an elite and expensive variety of coffee - Arabica coffee with small beans.
2. Moka (la moka) - invented in the twentieth century. in Italy, a geyser coffee maker made of stainless steel and aluminum, in which water is heated by fire and rises from bottom to top from one container to another, flowing through a filter with ground coffee.
3. Mocha is an espresso-based drink with the addition of milk and cocoa powder. You could say it's a latte made with cocoa. It is often topped with whipped cream.

Origin story

The history of the mocha variety begins in the 17th century, when, after the anti-Ottoman uprising, the Yemeni state arose, which began to develop economically, turning into a busy trading point transporting products to Europe. One of the goods was coffee, which quickly took root in European countries.

Under the reign of Sheikh Shaddi, coffee plantations began to rapidly expand in Moha, a Yemeni port city. Trade in new goods became so active that it became the main driving force for the development of the state’s economy. The name of the city has become famous in many countries around the world. It read “Mocha,” which is also the name of the coffee variety. After the death of Sheikh Shaddi, a mosque was erected near his burial place, and his name began to be mentioned in prayers as the patron of Arab coffee houses.

The mocha drink appeared thanks to the fact that cafe visitors in the 70s and 80s. the espresso seemed overly bitter. The baristas decided to remedy the situation by adding cream and cocoa to the coffee. Most experts believe that the birthplace of this cocktail is the USA.

And a little more about mocha

What is the difference between the words “moka”, “mocha” and “moccaccino”? It turns out that they have nothing in common with each other.

Moka, as well as Coffee Moka, is an Italian-made geyser-type coffee maker, Mocha is a type of Arabica, and mocha is a drink with a characteristic decoration of whipped cream, the recipes for which were described above.

Moccaccino is a chocolate latte, the method of preparation of which originated in the USA. It is a mistake to consider “moccaccino” and “mocha” as synonymous words, since these are two completely different traditions of preparing coffee drinks. We also recommend for gourmets to make coffee with marshmallows and cocoa.

Composition and preparation

In Europe and Asia, mocha is often called moccacino, but in the USA, a shortened version of the name is used.

A little confusion is also caused by the fact that Americans sometimes mean by mocha not a coffee cocktail, but espresso with the addition of cream and chocolate - this is what this drink originally looked like when it was first invented.

However, in the classical sense, it is prepared with milk - this variation will be discussed.

What varieties are used

For preparation, you must use only high-quality Arabica beans. Soluble powder is not suitable.

The classic version uses Arabica mocha. It is advisable that Yemen be indicated in the “Manufacturer” column. A distinctive feature of this variety is the chocolate flavor that the grains are endowed with by nature.

Their processing must be dry - this means drying in the sun followed by cleaning.

The taste varies greatly depending on where the tree is grown and may include caramel, fruity, floral, wine or nutty notes.

Most often you can find 2 main varieties of mocha on the market:

• mattari - full-bodied and rich;
• sanani - more balanced and fruity.

Categories showing quality (listed from highest to lowest):

• mocha Extra (Yaffey, Anezi, Matari, Sharki);
• mocha No. 1 - grains of only the highest quality;
• mocha No. 1A - quality, as in the previous category, but with dust;
• mocha No. 2 - a small amount of unripe or damaged grains is allowed;
• mocha No. 3 - damaged and unripe grains, dust;
• magrache - leftovers and grains of the lowest quality.

It is necessary to choose high quality grains.

Composition and recipe

You can try a quality drink in a coffee shop or learn how to make it yourself .

When making mocha at home for one standard serving you will need:

• 7-10 g finely ground coffee;
• 50 ml cold milk;
• 50 ml hot chocolate (melted dark chocolate is most often used);
• 50 ml whipped cream;
• cinnamon and vanilla - optional;
• some chocolate chips for decoration.

How to cook:

1. You need to brew a classic shot of espresso in a coffee machine. Don't forget that espresso is the basis for creating delicious drinks. If you don’t have a coffee machine or coffee maker, you can make espresso in a Turkish coffee pot. At this stage you can add cinnamon.
2. It is better to melt chocolate in a pinscher with a small amount of milk. If desired, you can add a little vanilla and sugar.
3. Heat the milk without letting it boil. The optimal temperature is +60…+70℃.
4. Pour the chocolate into a clear glass, then add milk to create nice layers. To do this, you can use a spoon with a long handle. Then pour espresso into the center of the cup.
5. Next you can start decorating. Place the whipped cream in a circular motion in a “cap” and sprinkle with shavings.

This recipe can be called classic.

Which is correct: Moko, Mocha or Moka coffee?

With such an abundance of meanings, a technical question arises: how to write correctly - Mocha, Moka, Mokka?..

There are different options, but if we turn to academic knowledge, then V. Dahl’s dictionary insists that “Moka is Moka coffee” and dictates to us the spelling of a word with one consonant “k”.

The doubling of the consonant in the middle of the word most likely comes from an attempt to transliterate the Arabic name for the coffee area and port of Al-Mukha, from where coffee beans were transported to Europe.

Modern Russian allows for different pronunciations and spellings of this word. You may notice that this ambiguous word is often used in the following forms:

• Mocha is a coffee variety and port in Yemen.
• Mocha drink recipe.
• Moka is a geyser coffee maker.

Over time, it is likely that the word will lose the extra letters, and all three meanings will be denoted by one form. Now some scope for writing and reading is allowed due to the fact that the word is borrowed. When transliterating, it is quite acceptable to lose the doubled consonant, so writing the type of coffee as “Moko” or “Moka” is not an error.

Types and characteristics

In addition to the classic version of mocha, there are other varieties. Like any other coffee cocktail, it can be not only hot, but also cold.

Mocha frappe is made with the addition of ice cream and pieces of ice. It is perfect for consumption in hot weather.

In addition, moccacino can be prepared with different types of chocolate: white, milk, nuts, etc. Alternatively, you can use cocoa.

For variety, all kinds of syrups, spices and toppings are actively added. Particularly popular are mint, caramel, vanilla, and nut flavors.

Sometimes in coffee shops you can find non-standard options, for example, mocha with pepper and star anise, which is made at Shokoladnitsa.

Is it worth taking it from a coffee machine?

You can also try the drink in coffee machines . In them, mocha is made from special ready-made mixtures.

They often include instant coffee, but in some cases they include ground coffee.

Examples of mixtures for automatic machines:

• satro Moka “Hazelnut”;
• "Vanilla Vendline";
• "Creamy Vanilla";
• "Vendlin Irish Cream".

Opinions differ regarding the taste of drinks prepared in vending machines. However, some people drink them with pleasure.

Brewing Mixes

Ready-to-cook mixes are not just for vending machines. There are also those that are poured into a cup and brewed with boiling water. One of the best mixtures of this type is Paulig Mokka. It is an aromatic coffee of special grinding and medium roast.

A mixture is made from the mocha variety with a clearly noticeable bitterness. Paulig Mokka allows you not to spend a lot of time on preparation and saves money - 250 g can be bought on the official website of the store at a price of 150 rubles.

Many gourmets prefer longer and more painstaking cooking methods, but this mixture is optimal for fast-paced everyday life.

Description of the variety

Arabica Mocha coffee beans are distinguished by:

• irregular shape;
• small size;
• olive or pale yellow;
• rich aroma.

They are used to prepare a coffee drink with a rather complex bouquet. In the bright aftertaste you can discern wine, earthy, woody, musky, spicy, even tobacco notes. The nuances of various spices are acutely felt: cinnamon, roasted nuts, cardamom, dried fruits, as well as a slight taste of chocolate.

Origin of Mocha coffee

Ground Mocha beans were considered one of the most valuable products of antiquity. They were supplied to Europe from the port city of Al-Mukha, located in Yemen and which gave the name to this variety of Arabica.

According to one version, coffee trees have grown on this fertile land since time immemorial; according to another, they were grown by Arabs who appreciated the taste of the coffee drink they met in Ethiopia.

And one of the Yemeni rulers came up with the idea of ​​using plantings to produce grains for sale. He not only ordered the expansion of coffee plantations, but also took advantage of the city’s fortunate proximity to the sea coast and built a port.

Thanks to this, it was possible to establish trade communications with European countries, and until the 17th century, Yemen was the only supplier of coffee called Mocha. Even the merchants of Egypt and India bought crops from Al-Mukha and traded them on their own behalf.

Reference. Over time, plantations appeared in other countries. And the drink began to be called coffee, finally displacing the previous geographical name.

Types and categories

Mocha is harvested not only from trees that have been growing in the mountainous areas of Yemen for centuries, but also from plants obtained as a result of selective breeding. The collected grains are processed in a dry way, they are dried in the sun, peeled, pulped and fried. With stronger roasting, different flavor notes become more pronounced.

There are several types of this coffee:

1. Matari. It has an extraordinary taste and aroma. The characteristic sourness is practically not felt due to the presence of spices and chocolate.
2. Hymie. It has a herbal taste, complemented by notes of berries and spices. The taste changes with different processing.
3. Yafi. Strong and spicy, like pepper. Spices are felt sharply in the aftertaste.
4. Ismaili. The taste and aroma of coffee varies depending on the degree of roasting. When the beans are heavily roasted, the sour taste is replaced by caramel.

Depending on the quality, the following categories are distinguished:

• high quality Mocha Extra coffee;
• No. 1, made only from selected grains;
• No. 1A, good grains are used for its production, but there is a slight admixture of dust;
• No. 2, damaged and unripe raw materials are allowed into processing;
• No. 3, is prepared from the same grains as No. 2, but contains dust;
• Magrache is made from raw materials of the lowest quality.

Reference. In addition to single varieties, various Arabica blends are also sold under the Mocha brand. All of them complement the already rich palette with new tastes and aromas.

Mocha production regions

Yemeni Mocha is native to the following regions:

• in the mountains near the Red Sea;
• in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Reference. The best examples are cultivated in the north of the country. Natural irrigation is well developed in this region, and the plantations are protected from the scorching rays of the sun by a natural green roof consisting of the crowns of forest trees.

Calorie content and properties of mocha coffee

Since the drink is dominated by complex carbohydrates, it has a fairly high calorie content. Mocha lovers are recommended to drink it in the first half of the day.

Reference. 100 g of coffee contains about 200 kcal. This is equal to 1/10 of a healthy person's daily calorie requirement.

Like any other type of mocha drink, it has the following beneficial properties:

• increases energy level due to caffeine contained in the composition;
• increases physical activity and performance, stimulates the nervous system;
• saturates the body with nutrients such as B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, manganese, etc., has an antioxidant effect;
• reduces the risk of developing certain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, protects liver cells;
• protects against the development of depression and improves mood.

Reference. Coffee is good only in moderation. Excessive consumption of the drink can negatively affect human health.

Calorie content

Mocha is high in calories. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink it more than twice a week, and those who are trying to lose weight should abstain from the drink altogether.

Calorie table for some types of cocktail:

Type	Volume	Calorie content
Standard	486 ml	394 kcal
With sugar (5 g)	450 ml	374 kcal
With sugar and cream 10% fat	450 ml	397 kcal
With sugar and cream 20% fat	450 ml	415 kcal

If the energy value is important to you, you need to check it in each establishment separately, because... recipes can vary greatly. For example, in McCafe the calorie content of coffee is 300 kcal per 400 ml, in Starbucks - 335 kcal per 400 ml.

How to decorate a drink?

You can stir the mixture thoroughly or practice creating an intricate design. To create a design on the surface, place the espresso in a mug and carefully pour hot chocolate over it to create a second layer. Use a spoon or fork to make circles or other designs.

Then garnish the drink and serve. Most mochas are made with whipped cream. This is an easy method to give the drink not only aesthetics, but also a delicate taste. You can also dust it with sweetened cocoa powder or chocolate-flavored syrup.

If you are decorating your mocha with whipped cream, be sure to leave about 2-3cm of space at the top of the mug. Otherwise, the container may overfill when they melt.

How and with what to drink

The drink is served in a porcelain cup or tall glass tumbler/glass. The dishes should be aesthetically attractive.

Drink a coffee cocktail through a straw. To make it convenient to eat whipped cream, a teaspoon is given. In the classic serving version, the spoon size is small.

Berries and fruits (orange, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blueberries, etc.) are often served with mocha; the combination with marshmallows, candied fruits and dried fruits (especially figs and dried apricots) is also popular. Cookies, sweet nuts (hazelnuts, cashews, almonds) and other snacks are also suitable.

Those who prefer hearty snacks to sweets will enjoy the combination with canapés, especially cheese ones. It would be appropriate to place jars of cinnamon and vanilla on the table.

According to the rules of etiquette, you cannot dip anything into a glass. If you want to make the taste sweeter, you should take the sugar with special tweezers. If there are none on the table, it is permissible to take the refined sugar with clean hands, but in no case should you reach into the sugar with a spoon that has already been in a glass.

The cocktail is drunk slowly, raising and lowering the straw through each layer. There is no need to mix them. It is important to enjoy the moment and experience the full depth and complexity of the taste.

Delicious with syrup too

Using different syrups, you can add unusual bright notes to the familiar taste of mocha.

You will need the following products:

• 1 tsp. ground coffee beans;
• 45 g dark chocolate;
• 50 ml milk;
• 20 ml coconut syrup;
• whipped cream;
• coconut flakes.

How to do:

1. brew strong espresso;
2. melt the chocolate bar;
3. heat the milk;
4. observing the layered structure of the drink, place the ingredients in the glass in the following sequence:

• First pour in the hot chocolate;
• then carefully pour in the syrup;
• then pour in the heated milk;
• and finally pour in strong espresso.
• Place whipped cream and shredded coconut on top.

Ingredients

Mochaccino (mocha) is a chocolate drink made from espresso. Making mocha coffee at home is easy. To obtain a delicious drink, you must use only high-quality coffee beans.

One of the main ingredients of coffee is fresh milk, which helps neutralize the sourness of the coffee bean. It is recommended to use a product with medium fat content (up to 3.2%). To obtain a more delicate cocktail texture, you must first beat the milk until foam forms.

Chocolate, which is an integral part of the drink, is melted in a water bath or using a pitcher. Some recipes call for replacing this ingredient with cocoa powder. Thanks to the addition of vanilla sugar or vanillin, the drink acquires a mild taste.

The final step in preparing a chocolate latte (the second name of the drink) is to decorate it with coconut flakes and grated chocolate.

What is special about the mocha drink?

First of all, do not confuse the mocha drink with mocaccino. Mocaccino is made from milk and coffee, to which cocoa is added. But there is no trace of cocoa in the mocha recipe. But it contains chocolate - black or white. Mocha is also called chocolate coffee. And this is not surprising, because in all variations of this delicious drink, chocolate is always present in it. It can be black, less often white is added. It is chocolate that gives mocha its special taste. It goes well with mocha coffee. But if you don’t have this on hand, you can safely use other varieties. Believe me, the quality of your drink will not deteriorate from this. You should definitely try making different versions of mocha. Each recipe is good in its own way. You will get a truly aromatic and tasty drink.

The mocha base is strong espresso. It is best prepared in a coffee machine. Then well-foamed milk is added (some recipes do not foam it) and delicious chocolate syrup. This magical drink is decorated with a lush top of well-whipped cream. The top is sprinkled with fine chocolate chips. The result is a drink with an unforgettable taste.

Do not confuse a drink called mocha with other similar words:

• Moka is an Italian geyser-type coffee maker, as well as a method of preparing coffee in this type of coffee maker. Another name for this method of preparation is in Greek.
• Mocha is one of the Arabica varieties. He is considered one of the best. Its peculiarity is a chocolate aftertaste and rich taste. This variety received its name in honor of the Yemeni port city of Moha. For a very long time, this city was the world center for coffee sales.

There are different recipe options for making mocha. Each of them is good in its own way. But they are all united by the use of three mandatory components:

• coffee;
• milk;
• chocolate.

The combination of these very components gives the drink such an expressive and unique taste that immediately captivates coffee connoisseurs. It doesn’t matter what type of coffee you use to make it. You can take regular Arabica beans, and you will still get a rich and aromatic drink. But ideally, you should still prepare it from mocha coffee beans. So what is mocha coffee? Beverage or type of bean? In fact, mocha is a type of coffee and a drink that can be brewed from it. And in order for the drink to really be a success, and you don’t waste your time, it’s worth remembering some of the features of its preparation. They will help you brew a truly tasty, aromatic and invigorating drink.

We present to you several of the most important parameters that characterize the mocha drink. Pay attention to what they should be. This will help you prepare a really high-quality and tasty drink.