Why is Yemeni coffee special?
- Ideal environment:
Yemeni coffee is grown in an ideal environment, with towering mountains, volcanic soil rich in nutrients, and a favorable climate high in the mountains. These natural factors create the ideal environment for Yemeni coffee to produce the finest Yemeni coffee beans with unique, complex flavors. Among the ideal mountainous areas for coffee cultivation are Jabal Habashi and Mocha.
- Traditional methods:
Yemeni farmers have preserved their fathers' methods of cultivation, and this is what has kept Yemeni coffee of the highest quality ever since it was first known. Cultivation begins in nurseries, then it is moved to the high mountains. After three years, the first harvest season begins. Coffee beans are picked in a traditional way. Farmers go themselves to pick the ripe ones and leave the unripe ones. Even for drying, mechanical methods are rarely used. The beans are dried on the roofs of farmers' houses and are turned over daily to protect them from rotting. They are packaged manually and then exported. Roasting sometimes takes place in Yemen and sometimes in the exporting country.
- Unique flavors:
The flavors of Yemeni coffee beans are influenced by the environment and weather, which give each bean different characteristics. Yemeni coffee is characterized by fruity flavors such as cherries and berries, as well as spicy flavors.
How did Yemeni coffee shape the flavors of coffee around the world?
Yemeni coffee is considered the beginning of coffee in the world, as it was the first source of high-quality coffee coming out of the port of Mocha. It was shipped to Turkey, Egypt, and even Europe, and it still is today. The world saw it as a rich, heavy coffee with flavors that tended towards spices and cocoa. Over time, the flavors of Yemeni coffee became a standard for coffee quality in the global markets, which led other countries to try to imitate the flavors of Yemeni coffee with its unique taste.
The unique flavors of Yemeni coffee, characterized by notes of oriental spices and dried fruits, have inspired the world. Some roasters in Ethiopia and Brazil have begun developing processes similar to the Yemeni method, aiming to obtain the unique flavors of Yemeni coffee. Some roasters in Europe also offer blends inspired by the flavors of Yemeni coffee.
Yemeni coffee is roasted at medium to high temperatures, which brings out its rich flavors. Global roasters have begun adopting this method when roasting coffee from Ethiopia and Brazil.
How did Yemen become the best in global markets?
Yemeni coffee grows in a unique natural environment, with its Jalabi climate and volcanic soil, giving each coffee bean its own unique characteristics. Due to Yemeni farmers' adherence to traditional methods, Yemeni coffee has maintained its strong flavors and quality. Yemeni coffee also has a diverse flavor profile, thanks to its mountainous climate. Fruity and spicy flavors are distinctive in Yemeni coffee beans. Yemeni coffee is also characterized by its heavy body, rich in flavors and hints that create an exceptional experience. Because Yemen is the world's leading exporter and was the gateway to the world of coffee, it has a special place in the hearts of coffee lovers.
Despite all the challenges facing Yemen, Yemeni coffee has maintained its presence and quality in the world. Therefore, Yemeni coffee is considered the best. Strong flavors, a heavy, rich body, diverse hints, and a clean environment make the coffee unique and unbeatable.
How did Yemeni coffee influence preparation methods around the world?
Yemeni coffee is not only distinguished by its strong flavors and traditional cultivation methods, but also by its precise and distinctive preparation methods that preserve its original flavors. This is what global roasters have begun to adopt:
- Turkish coffee:
Coffee beans reached the Ottoman Empire, and the Turks began adopting Yemeni coffee preparation methods until they developed their own style. However, to this day, Turkish coffee is known for its strong flavors and heavy texture, a reflection of the original Yemeni preparation method.
- Espresso:
When Yemeni coffee reached Italy, France, and England, coffee shops began to rely on Mocha beans to prepare coffee, or beans of the same quality, as Yemeni coffee became the standard for quality. Europeans developed their own preparation methods. For example, the Italians used Yemeni coffee beans to extract a strong, concentrated coffee that highlighted dark and cocoa flavors, which led to the emergence of espresso.
- Its effect on Arabic coffee:
The people of Yemen were known for adding spices to their coffee, such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. This method spread to some Gulf countries and India, and became a staple of coffee in those regions.
- Its impact on cafes:
Yemeni coffee is prepared slowly and served in social settings, which has established the concept of sitting down to drink coffee and chat. This tradition spread to the cafes of Istanbul and then to the cafes of France.
Yemeni coffee was not just ordinary coffee beans, but rather the beginning of its global expansion and its impact on the tastes and cultures of coffee-loving people around the world. It is a story that began in Yemen and spread to the world.