Let's start by mentioning that there are varieties whose name alone begins to play with our senses and imagination. Perhaps you've heard of mocha coffee and its exquisite flavor? Just mentioning it sounds like an irresistible coffee, one that will please any sophisticated palate, and I'm only speaking from the perspective of excitement. Now I'm going to stir your imagination by telling you all about this variety.
What is its origin?
This variety is one of the first to be cultivated on earth, it is native to Mocha, Yemen, which is where its name comes from. In fact, in 1536, almost all the coffee drunk in Europe came from Yemen. However, currently, exports from this region represent less than 1% of world production. This is due to the economic and security situation caused by the regional civil war, which has prevented them from resuming massive exports. However, the impact this region has had on coffee culture cannot be ignored, since Yemen was one of the first creators in the history of coffee. It is unknown when coffee cultivation began, but Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee, although some historians also suggest that it was the Arabs who introduced coffee to Yemen. Once the Ottoman Empire took control in 1536, coffee began to be traded worldwide.
Coffee transportation at that time was truly sublime. To reach Europe, the beans traveled by boat to the north, then the coffee was unloaded onto camels and from there transported overland along the Mediterranean coast. From there, the coffee was transported on wooden boats to the European market. This system worked for 150 years, but coffee became increasingly sought after in Europe, and the Ottomans lost control of its exports.
Yemen is located near the Red Sea, in the semi-arid mountains of the region. And how do they manage to maintain a plant in a semi-arid region?
Thanks to the knowledge of their ancestors, they have been able to practice organic and very manual farming practices, such as incubating seeds in ashes to keep humidity low before planting, as well as using organic fertilizers. When planting, water is delivered through channels lined with rocks, and rows of poplar trees protect them from the sun's heat. They also use terraces with hoses to combat the harsh climate. After selecting the ripe coffee cherries, they dry them on raised beds in the sun while the coffee growers check the moisture content of their cherries. When the mocha coffee beans are medium-roasted and finely ground, leaving a texture like flour or talcum powder, they acquire a consistency very similar to caramelized chocolate.
At this point, craving a mocha is inevitable, and we're not done yet.
This coffee variety has very special notes because it is a wild, dry-processed, and organic coffee. Its bean has a body that gives strength to its earthy and fruity tones, giving way to chocolate notes as well as special notes of cardamom, cinnamon, and sweet spices. These are complex and deep flavors. Dark roasts highlight the hints of fruit and chocolate, differentiating between two types of Mocha: Mattari, which has a heavier body and stronger chocolate notes and is known for its low acidity. There is also Sanani, which has a more balanced body and fruitier notes like raspberry and jasmine, known for its complexity.
This variety is one of the most popular because its preparation is quite exotic and is usually combined with other ingredients that give it the sensation of tasting a dessert. The most common way to prepare it is with a little steamed milk and adding a bit of cocoa for a sweet touch. It is usually made in syrup, but cocoa powder is also commonly used. There is also the white mocha coffee , which is used with white chocolate instead of dark chocolate and milk. These flavor combinations give it a creamy and frothy sensation; very appealing from both a visual and sensorial perspective.
The world of coffee is so wonderful, from its origins, full of inspiration, culture, and fantasy, to the creativity of baristas who are constantly pushing our imaginations to the limit, developing their ability to cross the boundaries of the inconceivable for our palates.
That's why today we tell you: don't hold back on the craving; it's time to enjoy the sweetness of a mocha and delight in all its flavor and creaminess.