The Enigma of Yemen Mocha Coffee Varieties: What Exactly is the Udaini Coffee Variety?

When Did Yemen Begin Cultivating Coffee?

Theories vary, but isn't the 13th-century explanation quite persuasive? According to the legend recorded in "The Origin of Coffee" by the Arab Islamic scholar Abd al-Qadir, coffee was already being consumed in the 13th century. The ancient city of "Zabid," registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, was not only a center in Yemen but also an educational and religious hub for Islamic regions across the Indian Ocean from the 13th century to roughly the 16th. As Islamic influence expanded into Ethiopia in the 13th century, coffee is believed to have spread from Ethiopia during this period. According to existing literature, the etymology of the word "coffee" (Kafuwa) dates back to the 13th century.

Production Conditions

Ninety-five percent of Yemen's coffee production comes from the mountainous regions running south to north in the western part of the country. Coffee is cultivated on terraces built into steep, barren mountain surfaces (at altitudes of 1700-2300 meters) and on farmland along dried riverbeds with subterranean streams (wadis) at altitudes of 1500-1700 meters. Because stable water sources cannot be secured, all coffee is processed using traditional non-washed methods, specifically natural processing. The original characteristics of Arabica varieties also produce the distinctive fruity aroma of Mocha coffee, which maintains deep-rooted popularity in Japan.

Varieties

Coffee growing areas are concentrated in the western mountainous regions, including Bani Matar, Bani Ismail, Haraz, Raymah, and Yafa. According to research and surveys by government agencies, Yemeni varieties fall into four main types: Dawairi (tree height 1-4 meters, larger round cherry fruit), Tufahi (tree height 2-6 meters, larger apple-shaped cherry fruit), Udaini (tree height 2-4 meters, smaller round cherry fruit), and Bura'i (tree height 1-3 meters, smaller oval cherry fruit). Among these, Udaini appears to show the most common characteristics and is considered the prototype of Yemeni varieties.

Distribution

Merchants in the capital Sanaa buy raw material collectively from various domestic growing regions, purchasing untraceable regional origins. They then export these carefully selected grades under the name "Sanaani" (meaning "from Sanaa"), with individual exporters adding their own brands. In Japan, Yemeni coffee is commonly called "Mokha Mattari," but in Yemen beans are identified by harvest region using adjectival descriptions. Coffee harvested in the Bani Matar region, for example, is called "Mattari," while coffee from Raymah is called "Raymi." The main export destination is overwhelmingly Saudi Arabia, followed by the United States, Japan, and European countries.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Coffee's roots run through Ethiopia and Yemen, so an Ethiopian single-origin is a fitting companion to this story. The FrontStreet Natural Huakui comes from the Hambella area of Guji in Sidamo, grown at high altitude and naturally processed; roasted light-medium, it gives light fermented wine, florals, citrus, and mango, with honey sweetness, cocoa, and a little spice over a full body. For a cleaner, brighter cup, the FrontStreet Washed Yirgacheffe shows jasmine, bright citrus acidity, and a tea-like body. Both trace back to the region where coffee first crossed the Red Sea.