If you have only ever had supermarket coffee, Yemeni coffee will surprise you. It is one of the oldest cultivated coffees in the world and one of the rarest. This guide covers what it is, why it tastes the way it does, and how to enjoy your first cup.
Where Yemeni coffee comes from
Coffee trees are thought to have originated in Ethiopia, but Yemen is where coffee was first farmed and traded as a drink, more than 500 years ago. Farmers grow it on stone terraces carved into steep mountainsides, often in small family plots with very little machinery. Regions such as Haraaz, Bani Matar and Haymah are known for their coffee.
How it is processed
Most Yemeni coffee is processed the "natural" way: ripe cherries are dried whole on rooftops or terraces before the beans are removed. Because the beans rest inside the sweet fruit while they dry, they pick up notes of dried fruit and wine. Learn more in our guide to Yemen coffee history.
What it tastes like
Expect a full-bodied, earthy cup with dark chocolate, dried fruit, cinnamon and cardamom notes. Al-Aqeeq roasts to a medium-dark city roast, which brings the chocolate forward while keeping the fruit.
How to enjoy your first cup
- Buy whole beans and grind just before brewing.
- Start with a French press or pour-over for a clean, flavorful cup.
- Try it black first, then add milk or spices if you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yemeni coffee the same as mocha?
The original "mocha" was coffee shipped from the Yemeni port of al-Makha (Mocha). Today a café mocha is espresso with chocolate, but the name comes from Yemeni coffee.
Is Yemeni coffee Arabica?
Yes. Yemeni coffee is Coffea arabica, including heirloom varieties found almost nowhere else.
Where can I buy authentic Yemeni coffee in the USA?
Al-Aqeeq imports single-origin Yemeni coffee and roasts it fresh in Houston, Texas, shipping across the USA.
Direct From Yemeni Farmers
Freshly Roasted to Order
Delivered Across the USA
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