White Chocolate Mocha: Know Your Drink

Ah, the smell of delicious hot chocolate mocha in rainy evenings is so refreshing and magical, especially in after-work gatherings during cold weather. When you walk into a coffee shop, especially Bontea, it's impossible to not crave the sweet mocha coffee. It's the antidote to the stress of the day and the way to find your inner peace. If you're a coffee-lover, you can make the white chocolate mocha at home or enjoy the beverage in coffee shops of sunny Los Angeles. 

In this article, we will share all details of mocha coffee, especially white chocolate mocha. From its history to the recipe, from tips for preparation to differences with other coffee beverages, we will cover all essential information in this article.

Fascinating History of Mocha Coffee

While enjoying white chocolate mocha, it is hard to imagine anything other than an espresso beverage with chocolate, milk, and cream on top. However, the story of mocha coffee is much more than its ingredients. Mocha coffee goes as far as the 15th century, and it has come a long way until its current version. 

Every country and culture has its essential element. India's silk and rugs of Persia represent the history and crafts of the nations. When it comes to mocha coffee, Yemen becomes prominent. Yet, there can be some debates on whether mocha coffee originated in Ethiopia or Yemen. The most common answer to this question is that plants emerged in Ethiopia. However, mocha coffee as a drink was developed in Yemen. 

There exist no exact sources about the date of origination of the drink. What is known is that during the 15th century, Sufi monks had already started to make and consume coffee. They also exported coffee beans. As time passed, people improved their coffee cultivation skills. Therefore, a unique and more flavorful version of the coffee emerged. However, as every valuable asset creates fortunes and disputes at the same time, Yemen's coffee soon became a center of positive and adverse events. On the positive side, the coffee improved the trade, and there appeared coffee shops. On the other hand, it led to controversies or inspired heist. 

Al-Makha and Mocha

The beans that Yemeni traders exported were a variety of Arabica coffee, which were harvested in central areas. After collecting the beans, producers roasted them and shipped to other countries through Al-Makha port. 

In its coffee production and trade, the port of Al-Makha played a massive role in Yemen. At that time, Yemen was under the guard of the Ottoman Empire. This protection gave Yemen producers a chance to refine their utilization of the environmental factors and harvest high-quality coffee beans. As the producers did not want to empower other countries in coffee production, they did not trade the plant or the seeds. In this way, they created a monopoly on coffee production. 

Mocha coffee got its name from the Al-Makha(Mocha) port. People simply called the coffee imported from Al-Makha as 'Mocha.' Beans of Yemen were easy to recognize from the taste and color. Visually, the coffee beans had green or yellow shade, which was different from other Arabica coffee with brown color. Besides, the coffee had an earthy flavor, which also resembled chocolate. However, its similar alternatives from Africa had a more floral taste. European people preferred the flavor of the Yemeni coffee, which made it famous quickly. Yet, this coffee had little to do with today's popular white chocolate mocha. 

Yemen was not able to keep the coffee production only to itself. After some time, the Dutch traders visiting Yemen could get the coffee plant. As a result, a few years later, other areas besides Yemen and the Ottoman Empire started to harvest coffee beans. The popularity of Yemen coffee and the economic prosperity of Al-Makha (Mocha) port slowly started to fade.

Modern Mocha Coffee

Though much time passed since the Al-Makha faded, Yemen remained a famous cultivator of the unique and authentic coffee beans. The producers still develop their coffee offerings and achieve enticing coffee-lovers with their wide selection of flavors. One of the main reasons for such developments is that Yemeni farmers are as responsible as they were in the 15th century. Farmers take care of coffee plants as if they are children. They utilize selective harvesting and dry processing to grow organic, distinct coffee beans.

However, modern chocolate or white chocolate mocha drinks have the influence of Italian culture. Even before modern mocha beverages, there existed coffee drinks with chocolate. One of the popular alternatives was Bicerin. This drink was native to Piedmont, Italy, and it meant a "small cup." The ingredients of the beverage are also similar- milk, chocolate, espresso. However, hot chocolate used in Italy is different from the American version. In Italy, it is reduced with cornstarch. Hence, the hot chocolate has a more thick texture. Current chocolate mocha drinks also have this creamy and thick hot chocolate base. 

How did Mocha Turn into a Coffee-Chocolate Drink?

As we already discussed, mocha was the name of the coffee beans which were shipped from the Al-Makha port. It is hard to tell when precisely the word started meaning a coffee beverage with chocolate. However, we already noted that mocha beans have a chocolate-like flavor.  

The mix of coffee and chocolate was not unique, even in the 16th century. In Italy, the "Bicerin" espresso-based drink was served with chocolate. In Venice, there was "Bavareisa," which mixed coffee and chocolate. It is generally believed that modern chocolate mocha drinks were created from the cafe latte. When people added chocolate powder or syrup to the milk-coffee based cafe latte, mocha emerged. 

White Chocolate Mocha Recipe and Preparation

If you do not want to drive to the closest coffee shop to get mocha on cold winter days, you can order coffee online or make your beverage at home. Making white chocolate mocha is pretty simple at home. For two servings of the coffee, first, you need to chop around 4 ounces or 115 grams of white chocolate roughly. Divide this amount equally for each mug and add 12 ounces or 350 milliliters milk over the chocolate pieces. You need to heat this mixture in the microwave for 90 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat the milk and chocolate on the stove, but make sure that you stir it frequently. Also, low heat is advisable. 

When the mixture steams, you are ready to proceed. Add 8 ounces or around 250 milliliters espresso or hot coffee to the mixture and stir it. For the topping, add whipped cream and white chocolate shavings. You can get the shavings ready from the store or make your own with a vegetable peeler. 

In general, white chocolate mocha is not too bitter because the coffee flavor is reduced with milk and chocolate. Besides, its taste can vary depending on the preparation method. 

Espresso Machine

Mocha in Los Angeles is usually made with traditional espresso machines. First, baristas grind the coffee and put it into the container. Next, they fill the machine with water and insert the container. After a short time, the espresso is ready to make a mocha drink. Such tools deliver espresso with high quality. Hence, the coffee tastes exactly as the coffee-lovers would expect. In Bontea Cafe, we also use the latest coffee machines. The disadvantage of this method is that only trained people can use these machines. It also takes time to clean and maintain the machine. 

Pod Machine

Alternatively, if you have a pod machine at home, you can prepare the espresso for your mocha drink. Pod machines are easy to use. All you need to do is fill the machine with water and put the pod. These pods offer a wide selection of flavors that enhance the taste. However, you should not expect that the white chocolate mocha they make with pod machines will have the quality as high as the coffee from traditional espresso machines. Still, pod machines are accessible, and it delivers delicious results every single time. 

Moka Pot

One of the easiest ways to make espresso at home is by using a Moka pot or stovetop espresso maker. It is a small pot in which you put water and the coffee on top. As a result, the steam in the top makes the espresso, which comes out of a filter. Next, you mix the coffee with the hot chocolate again.

While it is simple to make espresso, you will need a separate frother. Other machines have frothers to mix the milk, syrup, and the coffee for chocolate mocha. However, when you use Moka pot, you need to get a frother to mix these ingredients. Alternatively, you can skip milk and syrup, and use hot chocolate instead. In this case, the frother is not essential.

Another advantage of this pot is that it is cheap compared to machines. People who drink coffee rarely can enjoy this option, as investing in machines can be unnecessary. Yet, Moka pot espresso does not have the highest quality flavor and texture. 

Factors Affecting Mocha Taste

Every ingredient, dose, and preparation method has an immense effect on the taste and texture of the mocha drink. First, using chocolate syrup and steamed milk to prepare a hot chocolate-like mixture leads to sweet beverages. Such white chocolate mocha will not have an intense coffee taste or even chocolate flavor. Instead, it will be a drink for people with sweet teeth. Hence, using hot chocolate or cocoa powder is a more reasonable option if you prefer strong chocolate flavor in your white chocolate mocha. 

Plus, the amount of milk can change the taste and texture of the beverage. Milk makes the drink creamy and reduces the strong flavor of the espresso. 

The coffee bean type and its preparation method are also one of the factors affecting the taste. When baristas finely ground the coffee beans, the drink can have some bitterness. The reason for bitterness is that water can easily pass through the grind, and more coffee flavor will be released. However, bigger chunks of coffee can result in weak espresso taste and make your chocolate mocha taste a little acidic. 

Arabica beans give the coffee drinks smooth and less bitter flavor. However, it can still result in sour aftertaste. Instead, you can use Robusta coffee beans. Such an espresso will be bitter but rich. 

If you cannot decide whether to use light or dark roast coffee, two factors affect the decision: bitterness and acidity. Light roast coffee beans create a less bitter but highly acidic espresso. On the contrary, dark roasted beans are more bitter but less acidic. In general, if you order mocha in Los Angeles, you will probably get an espresso from the mix of dark roasted Arabica and Robusta beans.

Hot or Cold?

Traditionally, mocha and white chocolate mocha drinks are served hot. They are especially delightful on cold winter days. However, people, who prefer cold drinks, can make their own iced white chocolate mocha beverage if there is no cold mocha drink on the coffee menu of their favorite shops. After making the drink, let it chill. Next, add it on top of the ice cubes to make a delicious cold coffee drink. Alternatively, you can blend chocolate mocha with ice cubes. It results in a fantastic drink that resembles ice-cream. Yet, in this case, it will be wise to call the drink frappuccino instead of mocha. 

Mocha vs. Cappuccino 

Understanding the differences between espresso drinks can be challenging. However, when comparing the cappuccino drink to mocha, there emerge some differences. As mentioned, mocha is prepared by adding chocolate syrup to hot milk and espresso. Sometimes, hot chocolate is directly mixed with espresso to get mocha. White chocolate mocha is a much fancier version, and it involves cream and white chocolate shavings on the top of the beverage. On the other hand, cappuccino does not have chocolate in its ingredient list. This beverage is simply the mix of espresso and steamed, foamy milk. Hence, if you order mocha in Los Angeles, you will feel the chocolate taste. With cappuccino, you will only notice an intense coffee flavor. 

Macchiato

If you ever ordered mocha in Los Angeles, you might wonder about the difference between mocha and macchiato. Commonly, people order one of those drinks without knowing what is inside of them. Sometimes, they tend to choose the safest option- latte. In this section, we will explain the differences, so that next time, when you visit a coffee place, you can get your most preferable drink. Alternatively, you can order coffee now with speedy delivery from Bontea Cafe. 

Macchiato can have different ingredients depending on where people get their coffee. In classic coffee shops, a macchiato is as simple as an espresso with a little milk foam on top. Its name also means "marked" in Italian. Therefore, the drink seems like it was marked with milk foam. However, in American-style coffee places, there can be some sugar or syrup added. Another version of the drink is latte macchiato. In this case, there is more steamed milk and a little espresso to "mark." In general, the macchiato is a bold drink with strong espresso taste. 

Mocha is different from macchiato in terms of the ingredient list. For example, the macchiato is not complete without chocolate factor- whether it is a syrup or hot chocolate. White chocolate mocha has cream on top and white chocolate shavings for extra excitement. Yet, it can be too sweet, and the intense flavor of coffee does not exist in this beverage. People who prefer authentic coffee drinks might not like white chocolate mocha. 

Latte

Latte, in its turn, is a more milk-based drink. For an espresso shot, there is usually foamed milk in an equal amount and four times more steamed milk. As much milk is used, the drink has a highly creamy texture. Milk also dilutes the intense coffee flavor. From size-vise, the latte is served in a tall cup. Plus, people can ask for extra toppings, flavors, and syrups in their latte beverages. The artwork on top of the latte is famous in coffee shops in Los Angeles. 

Coffee with the Highest Quality 

Mocha coffee has come a long way since the 15th century. However, it is still a delicious, warm drink for cold nights and chilled evenings. What makes mocha special is the quality of the ingredients. If you want to order mocha in Los Angeles, you can visit our store or request a delivery. In Bontea Cafe, we make a fantastic white chocolate mocha drink, which will satisfy your sweet tooth and warm you in cold weather at the same time. We use high-quality, organic coffee beans to impress our clients. Our friendly baristas add your preferred flavors and serve art-like coffee cups every single time.