Mocha VS Latte are two names you may hear when ordering your coffee. Though they seem to sound similar, there’s actually a difference between the two. Here’s what you need to know about each one so you can order confidently next time you go out to get your caffeine fix!
The History
Both latte and mocha are coffee drinks, which can be confusing for those trying to pick between them. Both are made with espresso, milk or cream, and flavored syrups or powder. That doesn’t give us much to go on when deciding between a latte vs. mocha, so let’s look at their histories instead. It turns out that these drinks have different historical roots, which can help you decide if you like one better than another. A latte (from Italian caffelatte) is known as an Italian drink, but it actually originated in Sweden around 1950 by Swedish barista David Gustafson. The name has stuck around since then because of its popularity among consumers—latte even refers to a specific size of coffee drink in Europe: 60ml of coffee mixed with 180ml of steamed milk. Most lattes will also include foam, although some (especially American lattes) leave it off completely.
The Ingredients
Obviously, there are two main ingredients in a latte: espresso, hot milk. But what if you’re having a mocha instead of a latte? Technically, it’s still espresso and hot milk—but in addition to that, a mocha has chocolate added to it. The name mochaccino actually means mocha coffee (thanks for clearing that up). Since latte is Italian for milk, an authentic latte will always use whole milk; however, coffeehouses tend to use 1% or 2% these days because it saves them money on ingredients.
Another difference between a latte and a mocha is how they’re made. A latte is made by steaming half-and-half or whole milk with an espresso shot, while mochas will often use chocolate syrup or chocolate powder to flavor it. In addition, both lattes and mochas can be made as either hot or cold drinks; again, adding chocolate syrup or powder gives it that chocolatey taste! By now you know that when you order a mochaccino in an American café, you’re asking for some combination of melted chocolate and espresso. If you ask for a chocolate latte (rather than just mocha), however, you might get something different—likely hot chocolate, not coffee at all! Now let’s break down what makes your favorite drink unique.
The Differences in Taste
It’s quite simple. If you were to ask two different baristas what exactly is a latte, one might say that it’s espresso and steamed milk, while another may say that it’s an espresso with steamed milk and cocoa powder. If you were to ask two different baristas what exactly is a mocha, however, they might both tell you that it’s simply a latte with chocolate. While there are subtle variations in how these coffee drinks can be prepared, they essentially refer to similar concoctions—and that’s because mochas have their origins in Europe as lattes.
The most fundamental difference between a latte and a mocha lies in how these drinks are made. Whereas lattes can be made using various steaming methods, such as aeropress or press pot, mochas almost always require an espresso machine to make. Moreover, mochas usually contain not only coffee but also chocolate, though other variations of both are available. In many cases, they’re also topped with whipped cream or cocoa powder on top.
While many variations of both mochas and lattes are available, their histories can be traced back to Italian coffee culture. The term mochaccino was coined by an Italian coffee bar owner from Turin in 1919 as a marketing ploy for his new drink—which he initially called caffe e cacao (or coffee with cocoa). These early iterations of mochas were made using chocolate powder, foamed milk and espresso shots. Due to their popularity during World War II among American soldiers who were stationed in Italy, Americans soon adopted these drinks into their own country as well.
The Similarities of Latte and Mocha
Although both latte and mochas use coffee as their base, these two drinks have some key differences. A mocha is made from espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk and topped with whipped cream. On the other hand, a latte contains espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. Latches are usually thick in texture while lattes are usually not as thick. A mocha is served hot while lattes can be served hot or cold like iced coffee. Although there are some differences between a latte and a mocha, they’re similar enough that it’s often difficult to tell them apart.
A latte is simply a mocha that uses a blend of whole milk and 2% milk instead of soy, almond or rice milk. It also has more foam than a mocha.
A latte is simply a mocha that uses a blend of whole milk and 2% milk instead of soy, almond or rice milk. It also has more foam than a mocha.
An Americano, on the other hand, is a shot of espresso with hot water added to it. In essence, it’s an iced latte or mocha. The two drinks are almost similar but there are some subtle differences between them that would be evident in taste. However, if you mix both together into a single drink, you won’t be able to tell any difference at all.
Conclusion
The difference between latte and mocha comes down to preparation. A latte is made with steamed milk and espresso; a mocha is made with chocolate syrup or powder, espresso, steamed milk, and sometimes whipped cream. Even though they are similar drinks, it’s important to know their difference so you get exactly what you want at your favorite coffee shop. Who knows, maybe someday you’ll open a coffee shop of your own!
Once you’ve mastered your basic latte recipe, try making it a mocha. Start by stirring in some chocolate syrup or powder to taste. Then steam your milk like normal, pour it into a cup, then stir in a few spoonfuls of espresso—at least 1/4 cup. You can top it with whipped cream or leave it off entirely; either way you’ll have an amazing coffee drink that will keep you coming back for more!
