Latte vs Mocha: What’s the difference

Have you ever gone to a coffee shop and been confused by the many coffee-based drinks? You are looking at the menu and comparing the different drinks Latte vs Coffee vs Cappuccino vs Mocha or others. Do not worry. You’re not on your own. When they go to a coffee shop, many people are perplexed and occasionally shamed because they can’t recognize the difference between the many coffee-based drinks.

I understand how humiliating it may be to approach the barista for assistance. This is why I’ve tried to help you with this article. You will discover the difference between a latte and a mocha with it. 

Are you ready to learn more about Latte vs Mocha?

Let’s begin.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. What is Mocha?
2. How to prepare a Mocha?
3. What is Latte?
4. Difference between Latte vs Mocha
5. Making Latte and Mocha at Home
6. Mocha vs Latte: The Bottom Line

What is Mocha?

Mocha, caffè mocha or mochaccino (all spellings are the same) is a latte variant. I’m going to shock you right now because Mocha is an Americanized version of the Italian Bicerin coffee drink. Bicerin comprises espresso, liquid chocolate, and whole milk layers. On the other hand, Americans give up the layers in favor of a more straightforward way to make cafe mocha.

Mocha beans are also related to the word Mocha. This is a specific sort of coffee bean that comes from the port city of Mocha on the Red Sea’s coast. Mocha or the port of Mokha is a city in Yemen (in case you missed your geography studies). It’s also worth mentioning that mocha beans are an Arabica coffee subspecies.

PROS and CONS of Mocha Coffee:

PROS of Mocha Coffee:

• Chocolate and coffee are a delicious combination
• There are several taste combinations available
• Whipped cream or chocolate shavings are frequently added

CONS of Mocha Coffee:

• Not very espresso-forward
• Can be too sweet
• A lot of Calories

Calories in Mocha Coffee

If you try and search this in Google you will find a lot of contradictory information.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Mocha Coffe (made with steamed whole milk and mocha syrup) of 16 Ounces (473 ml), you will have 350 calories.

According to FoodData Central in 8 Ounces (240ml), you will have 161 calories.

Calories in Starbucks Mocha Coffee

In Starbucks, you can find three different types of Mocha drinks. I have prepared a table with the calories for each drink and different cup sizes.

How To Prepare A Mocha?

Espresso and heated milk are blended with chocolate and a thin froth layer on top to make a mocha. This may be modified in many ways, from the type of chocolate to the kind of milk used!

To prepare a mocha at home, follow these steps:

1. Make a cup of espresso. Use an espresso machine, espresso maker, Nespresso, or Aeropress to do this.
2. Put some chocolate into your cup. Chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, or chocolate powder (even hot chocolate mix) can be added. You may also flavor your cup with any chocolate flavor you choose (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, etc.).
3. To combine the chocolate with espresso, pour the espresso into your mug.
4. Make your milk steamy. Use whole milk for the most excellent latte. Use skim or 1% milk for a lower calorie version. Use an espresso machine to steam your milk if you have one. Otherwise, use a milk frother.
5. Toss in the milк. To your chocolaty espresso mixture, add the milk. Then, on top of that, apply a thin layer of foam!    

What Is Latte?

Latte, also known as a caffè latte, is an espresso-based coffee drink. Espresso and steamed milk are the major components, with a splash of frothy milk on top for good measure. Coffee and milk have been mixed in Europe since the 17th century, so it’s no surprise that latte comes from Italy.

Although most of us know caffè latte simply as ‘latte,’ it is called by a different name in different parts of the world. For example, espresso with milk (i.e., latte) is known as café au lait in northern Europe.
In any case, the ingredients for creating it are the same: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.

PROS and CONS of choosing а Latte:

✅ Many tastes and syrups can be used

✅ Rich espresso with creamy milk

⛔ May not be sweet enough

Calories in Starbucks Latte Coffee

In Starbucks, you can find seven different types of Latte drinks. I have prepared a table with the calories for each drink and different cup sizes.

Difference Between Latte Vs Mocha

Latte vs Mocha Ingredients

The Latte has more milk than espresso. As a result of the additional milk, it generally has a gentle, light coffee flavor. On the other hand, Mocha includes more milk than espresso and typically has a chocolate flavor, which comes from the chocolate-flavored coffee beans or more chocolate added to the mix. It has a flavor that is both robust and sweet.

Latte is lower in calories than Mocha

Lattes are often served in cafés as a moderate milk-and-coffee drink with a thin layer of foamed milk on top (usually with a lovely latte art design created by the cafe’s creative baristas). It is occasionally sweetened (depending on the customer’s preference). Latte is lower in calories than Mocha, with just around 120 calories per drink.

Mocha is sweeter than Latte

Mochas generally have an extra chocolate flavor to complement their already chocolaty beans. With espresso, you can taste the coffee more than the milk. Despite the focus on coffee, mochas are sweeter than Lattes due to the addition of sweet chocolate in the drink, which helps balance out the coffee’s severity. Mochas provide more incredible energy based on calories, with roughly 310 calories per serving.

Latte Vs Mocha commonalities

Despite their distinctions, lattes and mochas share a lot of commonalities. Both are produced using coffee and milk and are available in sizes ranging from 8 ounces to 16 ounces (around 220 to 450 ml).

Because both lattes and mochas are often made with one or two shots of espresso, they contain the same amount of caffeine.

A Quick Note on Milk

Does the type of milk you use affect the flavor and style of the drink you’re drinking?

No, not at all. Whatever milk you obtain or use, the recipe for both lattes and mochas remains the same. The milk might still slightly alter the flavor of your drink. Steamed milk or frothed milk are frequently used in both lattes and mochas. Air bubbles are added to milk to create milk foam on top of your drink, known as frothed milk. Frothed milk typically makes your coffee drink sweeter since the sweetness increases as the temperature of the milk rise, owing to the lactose in the milk being more soluble. You can prepare steamed milk in the same way as frothed milk. Only more minor air bubbles and the entire cup of milk is blended.

The lipids in the milk break down, resulting in a microfoam for your milk, generated by microbubbles within it. As a result, the milk has little effect on both lattes and mochas. You only have the option of frothed milk, which is tastier, or steamed milk, which is healthier.

Making Latte and Mocha at Home

You can prepare an espresso shot at home using one of the several household espresso machines on the market. Just place the ground coffee beans in the portafilter to make an espresso shot. Load the portafilter into the espresso machine, and turn it on to collect the espresso shot in a cup.

Because espresso is one of the key ingredients in both Mocha and latte, this is the first step you must take.

Warm up the cup for a few minutes before collecting the espresso; this will allow the espresso to stay warm while you finish the rest of the recipe’s requirements.

How to Make a Mocha at Home?

It’s not difficult to make Mocha at home. To make the perfect mocha coffee, start by taking a cup and pouring the chocolate into it. It must fill up to one-fourth of the cup, whether you use chocolate or chocolate syrup. Toss in more than a quarter of a cup of espresso and continue to stir. Pour one-fourth cup of steamed milk and one-fourth cup of frothed milk into the remaining half of the cup. After that, you’ll be able to enjoy your mocha coffee in the comfort of your own home. You may sweeten it with sugar if you want it to be sweeter. This is how you can create an excellent mocha at home. 

How to Make Latte at Home?

Although the optimal latte ratio is believed to be 1:1:1, lattes tend to have more milk than espresso. To make a perfect latte, simply follow the instructions below:

• Place an espresso shot in a big ceramic cup or latte cup. If you like a strong espresso, you may use two espresso shots.
• After that, steam the milk and pour it into the cup until it is complete.
• Next, add a layer of milk foam to the remaining area of the cup.
• Gently tilt the cup to incorporate the milk into the espresso.

Nowadays, some professionals employ latte art to create various designs on the top of the milk foam. 

We can determine the difference between latte and Mocha after seeing how to make both types of coffee.

Mocha vs Latte: The Bottom Line

• A latte has more milk than an espresso (typically 2/3 milk and 1/3 coffee).
• Lattes have a delicate, moderate coffee flavor that emphasizes the creaminess of the drink.
• A thin layer of foamed milk is generally added to the top of lattes (with a design on many coffee shops).
• The taste of Mocha is frequently described as sweet and robust, with more espresso than milk and usually more chocolate (with a ratio of 25 espressos, 25 chocolate, and 15 milk).

F.A.Q.

Is Latte sweeter than Mocha?

Latte is NOT sweeter than Mocha Coffee. This is due to the presence of chocolate syrup, which is added to Mocha coffee. In comparison, Latte is made with espresso shots and milk.

Which is healthier, Mocha or Latte?

Between Mocha and Latte, the Latte is the healthier drink. This is due to the high sugar and calories content in the Mocha. Both drinks are prepared with espresso shots and Milk, but in Mocha, there is also chocolate syrup added. This makes it sweeter and with more calories and sugar content.

Is Mocha more bitter than a Latte?

Mocha is not bitter than Latte. Latte has a gentle, light coffee flavor, while Mocha has a chocolate flavor.

Conclusion

А latte is a milk-and-espresso drink with additional milk added for a gentle, light, and creamy flavor. You can prepare Mocha with espresso and milk, but another espresso and chocolate flavor is added to give it a robust but chocolatey-sweet flavor.

Now that you’ve discovered the crucial differences between lattes and mochas, why not try preparing your own at home or ordering one from a local coffee shop? The options are limitless! Begin making your own latte and mocha drinks right now!