Coffee, Cafe Mocha, decaffeinated
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A decaffeinated mocha is a rich, comforting espresso drink that blends chocolate and steamed milk, offering a sweet, velvety experience without the caffeine kick. Its flavor profile is a harmonious balance of deep cocoa notes and creamy dairy, creating a dessert-like indulgence in a cup. Nutritionally, it provides a modest energy boost primarily from carbohydrates and sugar, with a small protein contribution from the milk.
Calorie split: 16% protein · 64% carbs · 21% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the luxurious combination of coffee, chocolate, and creamy milk, which feels like a permissible indulgence. It's a staple in café culture, offering a familiar, comforting option for those avoiding caffeine but still wanting a complex, flavorful drink.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its high sugar content (9.3g per 100g), which can contribute to blood-sugar spikes, especially for those with insulin resistance or diabetes. To mitigate this, opt for a smaller portion, ask for sugar-free syrup, or pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a sweet, comforting treat without caffeine's stimulating effects.
- Offers a small amount of protein and calcium from the milk component.
- Can satisfy a chocolate craving in a warm, beverage form.
- Serves as a social or ritualistic beverage for relaxation.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The name 'mocha' doesn't come from the coffee bean variety, but from the Yemeni port city of Mocha (Al Mokha), which was a major coffee trading hub in the 15th-17th centuries and was known for exporting beans with a natural chocolatey note.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 85.1 g |
| Energy | 64.0 kcal |
| Protein | 2.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 96.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 84.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 149 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 46.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.38 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 0.88 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 2.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 2.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 12.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.33 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 63.0 ug |
| Retinol | 63.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.80 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 2.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 15.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.85 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.40 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.30 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.31 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 6.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cream, fluid, light (coffee cream or table cream) — USDA does not publish this profile for Coffee.
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.13 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.15 g |
| Leucine | 0.24 g |
| Lysine | 0.13 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.14 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.18 g |
| Arginine | 0.07 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.09 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.22 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.59 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.31 g |
| Serine | 0.10 g |
FAQ
Is decaf mocha completely caffeine-free?
No. Decaffeination removes about 97-99% of caffeine, so a decaf mocha still contains a trace amount (typically 2-15 mg per serving), which is negligible for most people but not zero.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. Use unsweetened cocoa powder, a sugar substitute or a small amount of maple syrup, and choose low-fat or plant-based milk. This drastically reduces the sugar and calorie content.
Why does it sometimes taste burnt or bitter?
This can happen if the espresso is over-extracted or if the milk is scalded. A well-made mocha should have a smooth, sweet balance; ask for it to be made with care or try a different café.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.64 kcal/g · 16% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 9.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.31 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.