Caffè Mocha: The Facts

Where the name "Mocha" comes from

For more than two centuries, almost all of the world's coffee passed through the port of Al-Makha on Yemen's Red Sea coast. European traders spelled it "Mocha" or "Mokha," and coffee from Yemen became known simply as Mocha coffee.

Today the same word describes two different things: Mocha coffee beans from Yemen, and the café mocha, a modern coffee-shop drink. They are related by name and flavor, but they are not the same.

Café mocha vs. Yemeni Mocha beans

What Yemeni Mocha coffee tastes like

Yemeni coffee is dried inside the whole cherry under the sun. That natural process gives a full-bodied cup with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, warm spice and sometimes a wine-like finish. Our Mocha Yemeni is roasted medium-dark in Houston to bring those chocolate notes forward.

Mocha Java

Mocha Java is one of the world's oldest coffee blends. Traders combined bright, fruity Yemeni Mocha with earthy coffee from the island of Java in Indonesia. Many "Mocha Java" blends sold today no longer contain any Yemeni coffee, so check the label if you want the real thing.

How to make a café mocha with Yemeni coffee

1. Brew a strong shot of espresso or 120 ml (4 oz) of strong coffee with Mocha Yemeni.
2. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of good-quality cocoa or chocolate sauce while the coffee is hot.
3. Top with 180 ml (6 oz) of steamed milk.
4. Finish with whipped cream or a dusting of cocoa if you like.

Frequently asked questions