What Is a Mocha? How To Make It, History, and More

What is this drink, exactly? It’s not just any type of coffee you can brew from any type of coffee machine, it’s a creamy coffee beverage made from an Espresso blend. Find out more about this deliciously sweet, nutty, and chocolatey coffee beverage. We describe what mocha is, where it comes from, and how it differs from regular coffee.

What Is A Mocha?

A simple way to describe a mocha is simply a latte with chocolate syrup mixed into it and this variant of a latte is usually made from one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk. Coffee lovers tend to gravitate towards lat­te because they're customizable, and the Mocha is an excellent example of that.

If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to try this cup of coffee since they usually add a flavoring that you can choose between milk or dark chocolate flavouring topped with chocolate shavings. There are different types of drinks, but they're usually made up of between one and four pumps of chocolate syrup, two to four shots of espresso, and some steamed whole or skimmed/low-fat dairy.

What Is Mocha Made Of

Mochas are usually understood to be a combination of espresso and a hot drink made from cocoa powder mixed with steamed or boiled water and sometimes sugar. It is a variation of a latte, meaning that it is usually made from one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk. But if you want to add a chocolate flavor, you can choose between milk or dark.

The History of Mocha

Mocha has become increasingly popular throughout the world. Ever since coffee was first introduced into coffee bars by Americans in the late 19th-century mocha didn't become popular until the early 20th century when it became widely available in North America. It began booming in Seattle coffee shops in the 1980s. The term has become popularized as the short form of “café mocha,” just like “lattes”.

It was inspired by the Bicerin, a traditional Italian coffee drink from Turin. The Bicerin was invented by an Italian coffeehouse owner in the 18th Century from a coffeehouse in Italy called Caffè al Bicerin.

See More: Where Do Coffee Beans Come From? How It's Made And History!

The difference? In Bicerin, the coffee, hot milk, and cocoa powder are carefully layered on top of one another. It's very likely that the mocha was born out of this drink.

See More: Cold Brew Vs Espresso: The Difference

Where It Got Its Name

Basically, mocha means a type of high-grade coffee that is made from one particular kind of coffee beans. The coffee bean comes from the plant species known as Coffee arabica. They were originally only grown in the region of Yemen called Mocha. It also means a combination of hot cocoa and milk or a flavor that tastes like this.

What Does a Mocha Taste Like?

It is said that mochas taste like chocolaty coffees. While this is true, coffee is so much more than just that. Where the espresso shot has a strong bitterness, the combination of cocoa powder and milk creates a sweet, creamy drink.

How To Make Mocha

Latte making is pretty simple if you've already made one before. If you have an electric coffee maker at home, it should not take too long to prepare.

Step 1: Ingredients

You'll first have to collect your materials and ingredients before you start brewing. You'll be needing these:

• Coffee grounds
• Milk
• Chocolate syrup

Step 2: Extract Espresso

Pour two shots of espresso (double shot) into the lat­te cup. After that, pour the chocolate syrup. The warmth from the espresso will melt the cocoa, making a delicious mixture. After the espresso has been extracted for long enough, you should thoroughly mix the two together so they're well blended.

Step 3: Steam Milk

As soon as your coffee has finished brewing, start heating up your eight ounces of milk. When steaming coffee, you should be able to hear the sound of paper tearing. This signifies air blending with the milk in order to create a good quantity of foam for your lat­te. When steaming is done, the milk jug will feel warm but not hot to the touch. It should reach 165°F.

Step 4: Pour

Once you've steamed your coffee, you can pour it over your chocolate/espresso mix. Make sure to a thin layer of foamy milk on top. This gives you a smooth, slightly velvet texture with each sip.

Step 5: Put Toppings

The great thing about coffee is that you can decoratively customize it in any number of ways. You can also add whipped creams, chocolate syrup, chocolate sprinkles, nutmeg, or even cinnamon.

With its own unique flavor, the customized mocha is also highly customizable. There are several different ways to alter the magic mocha lat­te depending on what ingredients you have available or where you get your mochas from. Here are some of the most popular variations.

Popular Ways To Customize Mocha

Adding White or Dark Chocolate

If you order your coffee at a coffee shop, there's a good chance they'll ask you whether you want a white mochaccino or a dark mochaccino. Don't worry though; you don't need to be concerned. A regular mocha usually has milk chocolate sauce, but a white/black mocha refers to two different types of chocolate sauces: white chocolate sauce or black chocolate sauce.

There is no real primary difference between these syrups. It's just a matter of personal preference. If you want something sweeter, then a white mocha might be for you. If your palate is better suited for slightly bitter chocolate, then the dark chocolate mochas are worth trying too. And that's not even all, all three of those syrups can be combined into one delicious drink called a marble mocha.

Cocoa Powder

One way to control exactly how much dark chocolate you put into your coffee is by adding cocoa powder. Whether you have a box of unsweetened baking chocolate or your own packets of leftovers from making hot chocolate, there are many ways in which you can use them!

Coffee

An easy substitute would be regular coffee if you don't have espresso available. Instead, the best way to drink coffee is by adding chocolate syrup, steamed milk, and whipped cream to black coffee.

Chocolate Milk

Another way to make a mocha without using powdered coffee creamer is by mixing hot water with instant espresso. If you're at a point where you just need something sweet to help you out, chocolate milk is always an easy option to choose from. Another option would be to add chocolate powder to your espresso.

Adding Ice

The best part about mochas is... It can be drunk cold or hot! To enjoy your coffee outdoors on a warm spring day all you need to do to prepare your drink is to extract your coffee regularly, add chocolate syrup, pour in some cold water, and put it in an insulated cup. 

Opening a Café Soon?

With this in-depth guide on the science of intake of coffee, you're ready to get started serving up tasty lattes and espressos to customers in your neighborhood. You can also check out this blog about opening cafes to get you started. Need tips to become a great barista? Check out this article! With Culinary Depot, you'll have all the tools you need to start a successful local business.

Get in touch, and we'll help you get all the restaurant equipment you need to run your business!