mocha

noun

mo·​cha ˈmō-kə 

1

a(1)

: the small, irregular-shaped coffee beans of plants grown in the mountainous regions of Yemen that produce an earthy, strong coffee of usually medium to high acidity

… Mocha beans, from Yemen, confer a winey accent to mellow-tasting Java beans from Indonesia.

—Consumer Reports

also : the coffee prepared from mocha beans

(2)

: a similar coffee grown in Ethiopia

b

: a flavoring made of a strong coffee infusion or of a mixture of cocoa or chocolate with coffee

2

: a pliable suede-finished glove leather from African sheepskins

3

: a dark chocolate-brown color

Examples of mocha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The preparations range from standard – pour-over, cappuccino, mocha – to Mazapan latte made with peanut candy, nitro cold brew and Americola with espresso and Mexican Coke. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025

Here are options for local hot coffee or tea that are more unique than your average mocha: Deep latte: Lucky Detroit, a small chain with locations in Corktown and the 'burbs, makes its own small-batch vanilla bourbon simple syrup in Oak Park for its vanilla bourbon latte. —Annalise Frank, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025

While espresso can be sipped on its own, it’s often used as the base of so many beloved coffee drinks like lattes, mochas, Americanos, and even espresso martinis. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025

The bootcut pants come in a flattering light mocha mousse shade and have two side pockets and two back welt pockets. —Kelsey Fredricks, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mocha, Yemen

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

mocha

noun

mo·​cha ˈmō-kə 

1

: coffee of high quality grown in Arabia

2

: a mixture of coffee and chocolate

Geographical Definition

Mocha

geographical name

Mo·​cha ˈmō-kə 

variants or Arabic Al Mukhā

ˌäl-mu̇-ˈḵä 

town and port on the Red Sea in southwestern Yemen population 10,428