As you know, TRMom eased up dramatically on the vegan diet and now resides happily once again in a vegetarian space. While vegan, TRMom couldn’t have the milk substitutes at most eateries due to a bad reaction with carrageenan. This resulted in a gourmet coffee dry spell of over 6 months. But now, TRMom is back in the espresso froo-froo drink saddle and living large!
And her favorite drink is a hot Mocha, no whip.
Tip1: It is not frugal to purchase coffee drinks rather than making them at home. There is really no way to argue out of this fact. But everyone needs a treat every now and then. You can also save costs with coupons, membership clubs, etc.
Here are our local determinations thus far:
- Java Cat is the winner by far in the art of creating a Mocha. Whether serving up a hot or cold drink, they outdo their competition. You can actually savor the foam and there is no Mocha-sludge. It takes a bit of time to create this drink but the wait is worth it. Well done!
- Moka is the runner up. They are about .50cents cheaper than Java Cat, but Moka struggles to deliver the same quality. Where they win over the competition is the incredibly friendly staff, the stickers on the lids, and the little candy treats.
- Crema Cafe comes in third. Honestly at times they seem just too busy to deliver a fantastic espresso drink. It isn’t that their Mocha is terrible. It just has no thought behind it. It tastes fine, but more like a hot chocolate than a Mocha. It isn’t memorable.
- Starbucks trails well behind the pack. The Mocha they deliver is sludgey and a little too sweet. You don’t save on cost and there is no delightful staff interaction. It is definitely a last choice destination. Honestly, a Mocha from McDonalds is just as satisfying as the one you get at Starbucks but far cheaper.
Tip2: If frugality is key and you have access to a pod machine, you can find Mocha pods at any grocery. The end product is quite satisfying and certainly cheaper than any coffee shop. Of course, there is an environmental impact to pod usage.
TRMom is looking forward to digging into the local coffee scene even deeper. What’s your favorite coffee spot, either locally or nationwide?