What Is Moka Coffee beans? Arabica and Robusta coffee are familiar to everyone. However, when it comes to Moka beans, many of you may not know this coffee. It is not because of that that this coffee variety is not attractive or delicious. On the contrary, Moka bean coffee is considered the Queen of Coffee. Only coffee enthusiasts understand the actual value of Moka.
In Vietnam, the production of Moka coffee beans is still limited, not enough to meet the needs of consumers. To learn more about this coffee line, please see the following article.
The history and origin of Moka Coffee Beans
Moka coffee is also known by the beautiful name of the Queen of Coffee Beans. With a unique and distinctive flavor, anyone can’t forget this coffee’s, intense sweetness.
Moka coffee is a type of coffee originating from Mocha, Yemen. Suitable to live in places with an altitude of 1500-1600 m above sea level. This plant requires meticulous care with specialized techniques. This coffee bean has small, stiff leaves with a greenish or pale yellow color.
According to historical records, around the 13th century, a priest named Marco Polo made a long journey from Europe to Arabia. He found this coffee by chance from a man in Mocha city. He was brought here by a Yemeni for sale. At that time, this type of coffee was still unknown to many people.
However, it was not until 1595 that this type of coffee became more popular. Because at that time, the Yemeni city of Mocha was a trading point in the North Africa-Indian Ocean and connected to South Asia…
Researchers confirm Moka coffee originates from Yemen, and Professor Marco Polo discovered him. On one occasion, he moved from Europe to Arabia. When the food on the ship was exhausted, he and his entourage stopped at a pier. He met a Yemeni who sold Moka coffee beans. He bought it and brought it back to Europe. Years later, this drink became popular in European countries.
In Vietnam, coffee appeared in the 19th century. With the expeditionary corps from France. They have grown coffee in the Lam Vien plateau, 1500-1600 m above sea level. The soil conditions are very suitable for growing this plant.
However, in Da Lat, Mocha coffee bean is grown less. Due to low yield, increased resistance to pests and diseases is not high compared to other types of coffee. Many people have chosen to intercrop Catimor coffee with Moka to ensure quality and output. At present, the ancient Mocha variety is still preserved and developed very famously by the people of Da Lat in Cau Dat.
What are the characteristics of Moka Coffee Beans?
Moka Coffee beans have a smooth shape, which is more excellent than many other types of coffee. Surely those who have enjoyed this rich flavor will never be able to forget this delicious and bold drink. Moka coffee is a top drink people love in European and American countries.
Moka coffee trees are not easy to grow. It requires high technical care. Farmers must carefully prepare factors: plant varieties, soil, fertilizers, technology, human resources, etc., to succeed in Moka coffee. Not to mention the weather factor. Moka coffee trees cannot grow well in environments below 1500m, are poor in nutrients, and are too hot or cold.
The Moka coffee variety only grows well on the land of Cau Dat, Lam Dong. People have tried growing this coffee variety in many other regions and growing Moka coffee.
The typical flavor of Moka Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee has the most significant products in the world (accounting for 80% of coffee production worldwide). Arabica includes many different genera. Each of these types of coffee has its characteristics in terms of nature, flavor, growing method, etc. Among them, Moka coffee stands out above all. It is considered a premium Arabica coffee bean, or “Queen of Arabica.”
The taste of Moka coffee bean will surely make those who have tasted it once remember it forever. Compared to other coffee varieties, the taste of Moka beans will be much more emotional, about taste, and feel more different.
Moka Arabica coffee beans have a mildly bitter, slightly acidic taste and a bit of fat. Moka (after brewing) has an intense aroma that lasts during enjoyment. The caffeine content in Moka seeds is > 1.0%. You can mix Moka coffee with sugar or milk (depending on preference). Moka coffee flavor is suitable for both men and women. It is best to enjoy Moka coffee in pure coffee and make coffee dishes such as Americano and Frappuccino. Or it can be mixed with Robusta coffee in unique proportions to give the best filter coffee.
Moka coffee bean’s price is relatively high (most expensive among coffees). People are willing to spend a lot of money to enjoy this fine coffee. Cafe Moka has a unique and classy taste that no other coffee can imitate.
Moka has a milder taste due to less caffeine content, and at the same time, it has a bit of sour taste, just enough bitterness to feel the essence of heaven and earth. Moka’s scent is passionate and ecstatic but very luxurious. Therefore, this type of coffee is often more suitable for women, especially since it is trendy in the European market, especially in the United States.
In addition, a quality cup of Moka bean coffee and the seed factor is also affected by other factors. It is possible that different aspects of roasting, preserving, or preparing coffee will bring slightly different feelings about coffee flavor.
Outstanding features of premium Moka coffee Bean
Moka is known as the “queen” of coffee because of the quintessence it brings to the audience. This premium Moka coffee is also very popular with connoisseurs, so it is considered the main ingredient in today’s coffee shops.
As mentioned above, Moka captivates coffee lovers thanks to its elegant, noble, and fruity scent. Perhaps, thanks to being grown at extremely high latitudes, in places where the climate is cold, with the golden sunshine in the day and the dew at night, it has given Moka such a different, ecstatic taste.
When roasted in the medium, Moka bean coffee will have a sour taste mixed with mild bitterness, light brown watercolor, and transparent amber. If burned to about 245 o C, the natural oil in Moka beans will be secreted, making the taste of coffee gradually become more affluent, and the coffee body will be revealed more robust and fragrant, indescribably attractive.
Production of Moka coffee beans in Vietnam
Revealing to you, “In the Vietnamese market, there are very few genuine Moka coffees.” As mentioned above, Moka coffee can only grow in Cau Dat (Da Lat, Lam Dong). It is impossible to grow this plant in other regions, despite applying the most modern care techniques.
Each year, Cau Dat produces a small amount of Moka coffee beans. Not to mention the time of crop failure or unfavorable weather, the output of Moka coffee is even less. It is not easy to buy genuine Moka coffee in Cau Dat.
On the market, many units are offering Moka coffee. The problem is: is it genuine Moka coffee or not? Sometimes customers buy regular Arabica coffee. Or coffee mixed with other impurities.
How to identify quality Cau Dat Moka coffee beans?
Moka Cau Dat coffee has a light aroma and a sour taste in terms of taste. Moka coffee is only suitable for growing in Cau Dat because of the right climate and terrain elevation regarding the cultivation place. Regarding plant characteristics, Cau Dat Moka has a light gray body, piled roots, and leaves have a small canopy and are symmetrical on both sides.
The ability to resist pests and take a lot of care, the fruit is also less than other types of coffee. Moka coffee berries will have a light green color and glossy skin; the color will gradually turn red like a tomato when ripe.
How to enjoy Moka Coffee Beans
There are two ways to enjoy Moka coffee. You can use pure Moka coffee beans and prepare them by pouring them over a Moka pot… to feel the coffee’s full fruity, sweet taste.
You can also mix it with Robusta coffee to make a filter. With this blend, you can take advantage of the bitter taste of Robusta coffee combined with the aroma and fruity taste of Moka coffee.
Usually, a combined cup of Moka coffee will have the following proportions:
- 70% Moka and 30% Robusta
- 30% Moka and 70% Robusta
Mixing method 1: This ratio will give the coffee a new and more attractive taste.
Mixing method 2: This harmonious combination will create a full cup of coffee with a robust bitter taste and intense aroma, creating a unique style for the person to enjoy.
In particular, using pure Moka coffee beans to make a filter according to the traditional brewing method will give a unique flavor and aroma superior to other coffee lines on the market.