古老的香醇：摩卡咖啡

作为世界上一种最古老的咖啡，渊源久远的摩卡咖啡早已成了咖啡的代名词，它那独特的巧克力余韵令人回味再三，可谓是：“余味绕梁、三日不绝于口”。难怪有那么多的咖啡饕客都将摩卡列为心中的最爱……

Everyone has heard of mocha, but few know the origins of the delicious coffee thatconnoisseurs treasure. Mocha coffee beans are one of the oldest known varieties of coffee in the world. Traditionally grown throughout Yemen, these deeply flavorful beans take their name from the ancient Yemeni port city of Mocha, which was a primary point of coffee trade for centuries.

Some four centuries ago, small quantities of this coffee with a very fine flavor were exported through this port. Mocha beans became one of the first types of coffee beans marketed to Europe. In fact, some experts say that almost all coffee was first referred to as mocha in the Western world. Throughout the 16th and 17th century, as the beans became a popular import to Italy, Holland, and eventually the rest of Europe, true mocha coffee maintained a reputation for being the finest available.

Mocha coffee beans are rare and difficult to obtain. Coffee lovers know that coffee beans are greatly affected by the area they are produced in. The soil, altitude, and climate of a coffee growing area will have great influence on the coffee’s characteristics, from its body to its flavor to its aroma.

As a type of Arabica coffee, Mocha coffee plants thrive in high altitudes and the specific climatic conditions of the port city of Mocha contributes to the coffee’s unique flavor. Today, coffee beans are often classified by growing region, making the term specific to the Arabica beans grown throughout Yemen.

A cup of mocha coffee may be the best way to convert people to coffee drinking. The beans feature a balanced acidity and mild sweetness that makes for a smooth, even flavor. However, the most loved aspect of a cup of Mocha coffee is its aftertaste, which has undertones of chocolate despite the lack of actual chocolate content.

There are endless variations on the classic mocha drink. White or dark chocolate flavoring can be used to give a uniquely different flavor to the beverage, while additional flavors can be added by the handful. Caramel, peppermint, orange, and even raspberry mochas are also common variations on the delicious chocolate infusion.

To make a mocha, begin with one or two shots of espresso coffee. Combine with cocoa powder or syrup in the bottom of the glass. Pour steamed milk slowly into the glass, stirring to combine. The drink can then be topped with whipped cream, and decorated with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, coffee grounds, or coconut flakes.

So drench yourself in the aroma of mocha coffee and drift away with your steaming cup. In it lie the simple pleasures of life.

大家对摩卡(又译穆哈)咖啡都并不陌生，但要说起美食家们珍爱的这种怡人香醇饮品的起源，恐怕就很少有人知道了。摩卡咖啡豆是世界上已知的最古老的咖啡品种之一。这种浓郁可口的咖啡豆常见于也门，因也门的古代港口城市穆哈而得名，穆哈港几百年来一直都是咖啡贸易的主要港口。

大约四百年前，少量优质美味的摩卡咖啡豆从穆哈港出口到各地，也成为首批远销到欧洲市场的咖啡豆品种之一。实际上，一些专家还认为：在西方，几乎所有的咖啡品种最初都被叫做“摩卡”。从16世纪到17世纪，当这种咖啡豆成为在意大利和荷兰颇受欢迎的舶来品并最终风靡整个欧洲时，真正的摩卡咖啡也以其绝佳的口感而被人们誉为“最好的品种”。

摩卡咖啡豆珍贵且不易获得。咖啡爱好者都知道咖啡豆的风味受其生长地区的条件影响很大。咖啡生长地的土壤、海拔和气候等因素都会极大地影响咖啡豆的特性，如纯度、风味和香气等等。

作为阿拉比卡咖啡的一种，摩卡咖啡树生长在高纬度地区，港市穆哈所特有的气候条件赋予了它独特的风味。时下，人们往往依据咖啡豆生长的地区来分类，于是摩卡咖啡这一名称只限于生长在也门地区的阿拉比卡咖啡豆。

要使一个人变得爱喝咖啡，让其品尝一杯摩卡也许会是最好的办法。摩卡咖啡豆酸度适中，清甜适口，形成了一种丝滑、均匀的口感。不过，一杯摩卡咖啡最让人难忘的还是它的余味，虽然没有巧克力的实际成分，却散发出了巧克力的韵味。

除了经典的摩卡咖啡，人们还发展了各式各样的摩卡种类。白巧克力或黑巧克力调味料可以给摩卡咖啡带来不同的独特风味，除此之外，你还可加入少量的其他调味品。融入美味巧克力的焦糖、薄荷、橙子，甚至是莓子摩卡也都是常见的品种。

要调制一杯摩卡咖啡，先要准备一到两小杯浓咖啡，在玻璃杯底部将其与可可粉或糖浆搅匀，接着慢慢倒入蒸好的牛奶进行搅拌。饮品上部可加上泡沫鲜奶油，再撒上糖屑、巧克力糖浆、咖啡渣或椰片。

那么，请沉醉在摩卡咖啡的幽幽香气中，让思绪随着蒸腾的热气游走吧!生活中的一些简单乐趣正在于此。