The Yemeni port of Mocha, located on the Red Sea coast, was once the heart of the global coffee trade and is the origin of the name "mocha." From the 15th to the 18th century, Mocha was the primary hub through which coffee from Yemen’s highlands was exported to the Ottoman Empire and, later, to Europe. Yemeni traders tightly controlled the coffee trade, ensuring that beans left the country only after being roasted or boiled to prevent germination elsewhere, maintaining their monopoly. By the 17th century, "Mocha coffee" became highly sought after in European coffeehouses, particularly in Venice, London, and Paris, where it was prized for its rich and complex flavors. The term "mocha" later became associated with coffee that had chocolatey notes, a characteristic often found in Yemeni beans. However, by the late 18th century, as coffee cultivation spread to the Dutch East Indies, the Caribbean, and Latin America, Mocha’s dominance declined. Yet, its legacy remains in the name and reputation of Yemeni coffee, which continues to be prized for its distinctive flavor and historical significance.