Mocha Java Coffee Beans

A coffee blend of Arabian (Yemen) Mocha coffee and Indonesian Java Arabica coffee. Mocha Java is said to be the world's oldest coffee blend, combining two of the best premium coffee beans with complementary tasting characteristics.

The lively intensity and pleasant wildness of the Yemen Mocha provides a wonderful complement to the clean and bright smoothness of the Java coffee, which is one of the most popular Indonesian coffees.

Blends

The two types of coffee beans—Mocha and Java—are a natural fit, creating a complex yet well-balanced coffee blend.

In olden days, coffee beans from Yemen—where coffee has grown since the 15^th century (see World's Best History of Coffee)—were shipped in the wooden hulls of sailing ships of sailors at the great Yemen port of Mocha [Mokha]. This port was one of the world's busiest locations at the time because it was the primary sea port for the sea route to Mecca.

Many of these sailors arriving at the port of Mocha were coming home from Java Island, and so this is how the traditional coffee blend of Mocha and Java coffee beans occurred—a happy accident of history that produced this coffee blend that is still prized today as some of the best coffee.

Today

Mocha Java coffee traditionally includes one part Yemen coffee to two parts Indonesian Java Arabica coffee. This traditional formula is increasingly rare in today's world coffee market, however.

Many commercial blends of Mocha Java, instead of using Mocha and Java, substitute other coffees for both the Yemen Mocha and the Java Arabica. This may be done to mimic the classic Mocha Java taste, even using finer coffees such as an Ethiopian Harrar or another bright (high acidity) coffee instead of the Mocha (or another fine Indonesian coffee), or another full and round coffee for the Java, and also altering the proportions.

Buying

Blending different origins in this way allows roasters to preserve the flavor the the tradition Mocha Java Blend even when exports aren't available from those countries due to conflicts within the region and trade barriers. Green coffee importers in some countries (the United States) are barred entirely from importing Yemeni unroasted green coffees and other products.

As coffees from Yemen are almost impossible to source due to political conflicts, the majority of Mocha Java is a blend of other single-origins. Buying a Mocha Java coffee will vary in quality from roaster to roaster depending on their goal with the taste (mimick the original, or more chocolate-centric because of customer perception) so trying multiple is advised.

Wherever you order from, make sure to get whole beans that are fresh roasted rather than sitting on shelves. Retailers like grocery stores and Amazon that sell branded coffees have a long distribution channel - coffees are bulk roasted then packed and shipped and processed at warehouses - this all takes weeks and sometimes months, leaving you with a stale coffee at the end of the day.

Java coffees are frequently available Organic certified, but Yemen coffees aren't.

Not the chocolate drink

A cafe mocha is a term used to refer to a specialty drink available at many cafes and restaurants that's comprised partly of hot chocolate and part coffee. This has no relation at all to the traditional coffee blend and is not indicative of the flavor of real Mocha Java coffee.

Espresso

The complex and balanced flavor of a Mocha Java blend makes it ideal for an espresso roast - providing characteristics that shine in a very dark roast. Espresso blends made by experienced roasters typically integrate some Robusta beans for the additional caffeine content and crema, and can actually enhance the overall flavor of the coffee.

Mocha Java coffee is also called Arabian Mocha Java coffee.

Green Coffee Production

Year	60kg bags	Coffee grown
2016	10,000,000 bags	1,320,000,000 pounds
2015	12,317,475 bags	1,625,906,713 pounds
2014	11,418,277 bags	1,507,212,604 pounds
2013	11,265,194 bags	1,487,005,621 pounds
2012	11,518,538 bags	1,520,447,016 pounds

Green Coffee Exports

Year	60kg bags	Coffee exported
2016	0	0 pounds
2015	7,985,480	1,054,083,360 pounds
2014	6,679,280	881,664,960 pounds
2013	9,954,190	1,313,953,080 pounds
2012	11,257,540	1,485,995,280 pounds

Data may not be available for the most recent year.
Source: ICO

Facts

Indonesia is the #4 largest coffee growing country in the world, in 2015 they...
produced 1,625,906,713 lbs
exported 1,054,083,360 lbs
That's over 65% exported!

Sounds like a lot? It's actually 8.1% of the coffee grown worldwide.

Indonesia coffee is grown on mountainside "fincas" (farms) at 750 to 1200 meters above sea level
(that's 2,461 to 3,937 ft)


Source: ICO