These characters were chosen because their pronunciations, mó and kǎ, combine to sound like “mocha.” This is a very common way that foreign words are incorporated into modern Chinese. The individual meanings of 摩 and 卡 have no bearing on the meaning of 摩卡.
The term 摩卡 (mókǎ) doesn't have deep roots in traditional Chinese culture; instead, its significance is entirely modern. Its widespread use is a direct reflection of globalization and the explosion of Western-style café culture in China since the early 2000s. Unlike traditional Chinese tea (茶, chá), which is associated with ceremony, relaxation, and long-standing tradition, coffee (咖啡, kāfēi) and drinks like 摩卡 represent a different lifestyle. They are often associated with:
Comparing 摩卡 (mókǎ) culture to traditional tea culture is like comparing a fast-paced city street to a quiet temple garden. One is about global connectivity and modern speed, while the other is about local tradition and mindful slowness. The existence of 摩卡 in the daily vocabulary of millions shows how China is rapidly integrating global culture while maintaining its own.
摩卡 (mókǎ) is used almost exclusively in the context of food and drink, specifically coffee. Its usage is straightforward and consistent across China.