Isn't it wonderful that National Coffee Day - one of them, at least - falls on Chocolate Friday? That means we can celebrate MOCHA! Again. Heheh.
Also, in honor of the day, I offer these icons for your use and viewing pleasure. (Please don't just link to them, or you'll drain my batteries. If you want one, copy and send it to your server, please and thank you very much.)
Now ... for MOCHA!
So, here's something I didn't know. Mocha has, in the past, referred to a type of arabica coffee, grown near the port of Mocha in Yemen. Apparently from the 15th through 17th centuries, Mocha (the city) was famous for being the major marketplace for coffee. Wiki says: "Even after other sources of coffee were found, Mocha (also called Sanani (meaning from Sana'a) or Mocha Sanani) beans continued to be prized for their strong, chocolate flavor - and remain so even today."
Now, lest anybody think I'm just waxing on useless minutia ... I am. BUT ... Wiki also says: On the April 2003 Australian version of the TV show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" the one million Dollar question was "Mocha, a choice variety of coffee, takes its name from a seaport in which country? A: Somalia, B: Yemen, C: Oman, D: Djibouti".
See? You never know when you might need some trivia like this.
Anyway, supposedly the coffee itself, sans human intervention, actually has a chocolate flavor. I'm ordering me some! Today! I found several places online to buy, but I'll start with Peet's. We'll see if they really do.
Now, of course, "mocha" generally means coffee with chocolate added. Either espresso and chocolate syrup, or down-home style made with a hefty spoonful of Nestle's cocoa. Or, in a pinch, a handful of chocolate chips in the bottom of the cup will do nicely.
Topped with whipped cream, or maybe a dollop of ice cream, and you've got a delish dessert drink. Add a splash of tequila and kahlua for a Mexican Mocha for an after dinner treat.
No matter how you mix it up, chocolate and coffee are two of my favorite things that go really well together. In a cup, or used to flavor a dish or dessert, give me chocolate and coffee together and I'm a happy girl.
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