Have you ever been at Starbucks and heard the barista ask if you wanted a latte or mocha? Does it seem that they’re both chocolate-based drinks, so why do they sound so different? If you’re wondering what the difference between these two hot beverages is, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Here’s an explanation of the difference between latte and mocha.
Primary Difference Between Latte and Mocha
The primary difference between latte and mocha is that lattes contain espresso, which is a very strong coffee, while mochas usually include chocolate. However, there are some exceptions to these rules in certain regions of world; for example, a mochaccino can be an iced coffee drink with cocoa powder in it.
The most common type of latte is caffe latte (caffe referring to coffee), which may be served hot or cold and can contain whole milk or other dairy products. In addition to cafe au lait and cappuccino, lattes are among the most popular choices when ordering at cafes and coffee shops throughout Europe and North America.
Some restaurants even have specialized names for their lattes such as steamer or flat white. Lattes feature prominently in pop culture. For instance, they’re often referenced on TV shows and feature prominently in film both literally and figuratively—they’re frequently used as quick cuts away from more serious scenes as comic relief.
On sitcoms, they’re not only used for humor but also act as a sort of dramatic shorthand—the easiest way to show two characters having a conversation without delving into dialogue.
What is Mocha?
Although mochas are similar to lattes, there are subtle yet distinct differences between them. Both beverages contain espresso and steamed milk, but a mocha includes chocolate syrup and is topped with whipped cream while a latte is topped with foam instead of whipped cream.
The chocolate syrup in a mocha contains less cacao (only 10 percent cocoa) than that of a hot chocolate or chocolate fudge sauce (at least 25 percent cocoa). This means you’ll get more caffeine from your mocha since cacao has approximately twice as much caffeine as coffee beans alone do.
There is no such thing as decaf mochas; if you need caffeine-free espresso drinks, try an Americano or a cafe au lait.
What is Latte?
While many people assume that latte is simply Italian for milk, it actually refers to a drink made from steamed milk and espresso. It’s similar to cappuccino but with more foam and less of a kick, making it ideal for those who like coffee but don’t want too much caffeine.
Most lattes also include steamed milk with chocolate or caramel drizzled on top—which can make for some pretty delicious desserts.
Coffee connoisseurs have even started offering two versions of their latte; dry which contains just steamed milk and espresso, and wet which has additional hot water poured into it before serving.
Some Similarities Between Mocha and Latte
Despite their different flavor, mochas and lattes have some similarities. Both mochas and lattes are made of espresso, steamed milk and cocoa powder or chocolate syrup—but they can be different in flavor depending on which ingredients you choose!
The next time you order a latte or a mocha at your favorite coffee shop, remember these tips for ordering with confidence!
#1: Know what size to order—Mochas and lattes both come in several sizes, so it’s important to know how big each drink is before you place an order.
If you like simple drinks that don’t contain a lot of complicated flavors, try ordering a small. When it comes to caffeine content, mochas rank higher than lattes by about two milligrams per ounce compared to one milligram per ounce for caffeinated lattes.
A grande (medium) sized drink is often considered optimal because it offers more caffeine than smaller drinks while also being large enough that most people won’t finish it all at once.
Conclusion
A latte is essentially a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk and sometimes flavored syrup or chocolate. It can be served hot or cold and typically garnished with some foam art (see latte art).
A mocho is similar to a latte but it’s actually made with brewed coffee rather than espresso, so there’s no lift of caffeine—it’s just a mix of two or more ingredients.
The name mocho may derive from Spanish, in which case it means black or dark brown. If you want to learn more about how to make coffee drinks at home, check out our resources for coffee recipes for inspiration! Want to try making your own lattes?
