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

Expect rich aromas of raisin and black cherry with hints of mocha and spices on the palette with aromas of aged leather and cigars. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Yield: 6 dozen These peppermint mocha cake balls are perfect for holiday parties and family get-togethers since there's no cake slicing required. —Jessica Furniss, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024

And, while the shade mocha mousse is expected to trend in 2025, the rise of darker-toned neutrals are already in. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024

Tasting notes include dark chocolate, honey, and toasted oak leading to a decadent palate of mocha and cinnamon. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 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