Coffee was first introduced to Yemen from Ethiopia in the 15th century. Yemeni farmers planted coffee seeds on their family plots, and coffee cultivation soon spread to the coastal areas of the country. The Ottoman rulers in Yemen facilitated the production and exportation of coffee, and by the 17th century, Al-Makha had become the main port for the coffee trade.
The coffee beans from Yemen and Ethiopia were both referred to as "mocha" because they were exported from the port of Al-Makha. The term "mocha" was also used to refer to the coffee beans grown in the Mocha region of Yemen. These beans were known for their particularly high quality and were highly prized by coffee drinkers around the world.
Cultivating coffee in Yemen was a time-consuming and fragmented process. Coffee farmers from the mountainous regions would exchange the beans for other goods in nearby towns. Then, the beans would pass through several intermediaries until they reached the warehouses of Bayt al-Faqih, a city/district in the Al-Hudaydah governorate in Yemen. From here, coffee was taken to merchants who would transport it by camel to the ports of Al-Makha.
The tedious transportation process, combined with the lengthy cultivation process, made meeting demand difficult. As a result, Europeans began to establish coffee cultivation centers internationally. By the mid-18th century, Yemen was no longer the center of trade for coffee, as trade shifted to Brazil and Java (Indonesia).
Mocha Java
The Mocha Java blend combines Mocha from Yemen with Arabica from Java, and is considered one of the oldest coffee blends in the world. The blend was first created in the early 17th century by Dutch traders who were looking for a way to replicate the flavor of the coffee they had enjoyed in Yemen.
The Mocha Java blend is known for its smooth, balanced flavor with notes of chocolate and caramel. It is a popular choice for espresso drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos.
Mocha Coffee
The mocha coffee beverage is typically made by combining a shot of espresso with chocolate syrup and steamed milk. It is often topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century.