Mocha-Java Part 1: Examining its Name

It's an exciting and dynamic season for us at Coal Creek Coffee as we're expecting some very exciting new harvests this week -- among them a Yemen origin. We cupped it a few weeks ago and immediately purchased a bag. This origin is relatively difficult to get ahold of, and prices are high, but that's not stopping us from one of our favorite origins -- and vital component of the superlative coffee blend, Mocha-Java.

Mocha-Java has a long history -- in fact, the longest recorded history of a coffee blend. It is a rich history not easily traced but we will be investigating as much as possible leading up to our next coffee Jamboree (June 29th, 6pm, roastery, where Mocha-Java will be the focus).

First we will take a look at the blend's name. Thus far in my research, Mocha-Java appears to be the most accurate name to describe the original blend. Yemeni coffee was traded out of the ancient port of Mocha (English translation). It was purchased by Dutch traders and blended with their own coffee harvests on the island of Java (modern day Indonesia). This was before using regionality to describe origins, so all coffee from the Yemen regions of Moka, Mocca, and Moca were all simply described as "Mocha." Present day blends may be described as Moka-Java (or Mocca, Moca), which is just as correct given that we can trace it to a specific region.

In our next post we'll take a look at why Mocha-Java blends focusing on a historically accurate representation do not use "Java" as part of their blends in the present day. Stay tuned!

Also mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 29th, from 6pm-? This is the date of our next coffee Jamboree where this fabled blend will be the focus of the discussion, and Jesse will try to defend his latte art bloodbath title!