These days cafe menus have so many coffee beverages listed on them.
Unless you always go for classic coffees such as an Americano, you may get confused trying to order other brews from the menu.
Fancy names such as Red-Eye coffee, Macchiato, Mocha, and Lattes may leave you wondering what to order.
This article will discuss the difference between a Mocha and a Latte.
They are both indulgent brews that some people take because of their creaminess and sweet flavor. But how do you tell them apart?
What is a Latte
A Latte is one of the most ordered milk-based coffees in cafes. It is named after “Latte,” the traditional Italian word for milk. You’ll also find it referred to as Café au Lait in some countries.
Although there are many types of lattes in cafes, such as chai lattes, chocolate lattes, and Matcha lattes, there is a traditional way to make lattes.
They are made by topping shots of Espresso with steamed milk and 2 or 3 cms of foam milk.
Many baristas create some Latte art on their Latte coffees to make them even more enticing.
Although some establishments serve lattes in eight-ounce coffee cups, they are served in tall glasses traditionally.
Latte coffee has a subtly sweet flavor and a smooth texture due to the steamed milk in it. It’s usually made with cow milk, but some people use milk alternatives such as Almond milk and Soy milk due to lactose intolerance.
You can have a latte at any time of the day. However, it is traditionally ordered at breakfast and has been since the Italians first made it.
What is a Mocha?
You can refer to a Mocha as a Latte with chocolate in it. It’s named after the Mocha coffee beans used to brew it that originate from Yemen.
These beans have a rich chocolatey flavor that enhances the chocolate syrup used in Mochas.
Mocha is brewed by adding chocolate syrup and hot chocolate to Espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
A Mocha has more sugar than a latte because it contains chocolate syrup or hot chocolate. Therefore, it is a decadent drink meant for people with a sweet tooth. You’ll find it served in most restaurants as a dessert drink.
Some establishments add mint, hazelnut, and even black forest gateaux syrup to their Mocha. Others top it up with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
You can also booze up your Mocha with a shot of Baileys, Sambuca, or Brandy.
It would be best if you only enjoyed a mocha once in a while due to its high-calorie content. If you decide to take it every day, the best way to cut down calories is to replace the sugar syrups with low-calorie ingredients.
Some examples are cocoa powder and zero-calorie sweeteners.
What Differentiates a Mocha From a Latte?
While you may put Mochas and Lattes in the same bracket as sweet milk-based drinks, knowing their differences is essential.
It will help you decide which one to order the next time you visit a cafe and the right time to take them. You may find that one is more suitable for you than the other.
Here are the differences between a Mocha and a Latte.
1. The Ingredients
The chocolate content in a Mocha is the main difference between Mocha coffee and Latte coffee. Otherwise, they both contain steamed milk and foam.
However, people have more leeway to add other ingredients to Mocha than with Latte coffee.
Most coffee lovers order a Latte when they want a lightly caffeinated beverage.The milk cuts down the bitterness of Espresso and reduces the caffeine in it.
However, you can still taste the espresso flavors in the Latte without competing flavors like in Mocha. That’s because the chocolate and other ingredients such as whipped cream used to brew Mocha sometimes hide the taste of Espresso completely.
2. The Style
You can refer to Latte as a classic coffee drink due to the simple and straightforward way it is brewed. It simply contains Espresso and milk.
Mochas, on the other hand, are indulgent coffee beverages. They are served attractively because they are dessert drinks.
Baristas add chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream to Mocha coffee. Some people opt to add other flavors that enhance chocolate, such as mint.
Sophisticated coffee drinkers go for Lattes when they want to have a lightly caffeinated beverage.
However, Mocha lovers want to enhance the sweetness in their coffee and probably give it a chocolate flavor because they love chocolate too.
3. The Taste
Mocha coffee has a more robust flavor and is sweeter than Latte coffee. That is because of the distinct chocolate flavor of Mocha coffee beans used to brew it and the additional chocolate syrup.
Lattes are mildly flavored coffee drinks. They appeal to people who need to use milk to cut down the sharp flavor of coffee and its caffeine content.
The amount of milk added to Espresso when brewing Lattes dilutes the coffee taste,giving the brew a creamy and smooth taste.
How to Make a Mocha
Ingredients
Two shots of Espresso
One shot of steamed milk
Two pumps of Chocolate Syrup (or hot chocolate)
A thin layer of milk foam
Chocolate sprinkles or shavings
Directions
- Pull your shots of Espresso and set them aside in a 6 – ounce or 8 – ounce coffee cup.
- Add 2 or 3 pumps of chocolate syrup to the Espresso.
- Top it up with steamed milk and layer some milk foam on the steamed milk. You may create some Latte art too.
- Some people prefer to skip the latte art and top their Mocha with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles or shavings.
How to Make a Latte
Ingredients
Two shots of Espresso
Six ounces of milk
Milk foam
Directions
- Pull your two shots of Espresso into an 8 – ounce coffee cup.
- Steam the milk to 160 degrees Fahrenheit by inserting the steam wand an inch into your cold milk.
- Create some froth by moving the wand dipper into the milk jug to create a whirlpool effect that creates some foam on the surface.
- Tilt the milk jug and pour the hot milk over your Espresso.
- Top it up with a layer of your milk foam and sprinkle some cocoa powder on top. You may also create beautiful Latte art.
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between Mocha and Latte coffee.
You may drink Lattes everyday and save Mochas for days when you need something sweet.
You could also choose beverages that combine the flavors in both coffees, such as Mocha Frappuccinos.
Whatever you choose, knowing something about Mocha and Lattes means you can order them with confidence any time you see them on a menu.
