Mocha
What is a mocha? What is the history of the mocha? How does a mocha differ from a latte? From an espresso? We will answer all of those common questions in this article by Madres Espresso, serving the Greater Olympia Metro area with a coffee stand on Cooper Point Road, on the west side, and a coffee shop on the east side on Pacific Ave. Stop by for a coffee, meet our friendly baristas, and find out what great customer service really looks like.
What is a mocha?
What exactly is this drink, then? To simply put, the mocha is short for a “Mocha latte” or a “Caffe mocha,” which is brewed with espresso, steamed milk, and delicious chocolate syrup or sauce on top. It’s basically a chocolate latte! The Mocha is a delicious chocolate-flavored espresso drink that makes coffee’s bitter and earthy flavors noticeable with a touch of sweetness. The creaminess of the steamed milk and the whipped cream adds to the powerful chocolate and coffee flavor combination.
There are, however, variations in the way the mocha is prepared. One coffee stand may use chocolate milk, while a coffee shop down the road may use milk and chocolate powder or syrup. The method used will create slight variations in the taste; however, what is undeniable is the smooth blend of caffeine and chocolate, a culinary match made in heaven.
Mocha the drink should not be confused with mocha the coffee bean, which is a bean which originates in Ethiopia.
What is the history of this popular beverage?
It is reasonably hard to nail down the exact history of the modern-day mocha. The earliest mention, in print, of espresso and chocolate dates back to the early 1700’s in Turin. Slowly the smooth flavor caught on and spread to Europe, but it truly was not until the 1980s, in Seattle, that the modern mocha took off and became wildly popular. Today it is the second-most favorite espresso drink served in the world, a remarkable growth in popularity in only forty years.
How does it differ from a latte? Espresso?
The main difference, as stated earlier, is the chocolate. A latte is espresso with steamed milk; a mocha is espresso with steamed chocolate milk, or milk with chocolate added.
But it does not end there; with so many additional flavors, there is always mixing and matching going on as people try to find the perfect flavor for their taste buds. Add some peppermint to that mocha for a tasty holiday treat. Add some pumpkin spice to that mocha for a taste of Fall. The beauty of the modern-day “coffee” is that we are only limited by the limits of our imaginations.
A final word about Madres Espresso.
Madres Espresso is locally owned and operated . . . an owner, thirteen baristas, and one common mission: to provide the best customer service, and the best drinks, to be found in Olympia. Stop by and see us; tell us exactly how you like your drink, and then turn us loose to do what we do better than anyone else in the Capitol City.
