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

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When Did Yemen Begin Cultivating Coffee?

Although there are various theories, isn't the 13th-century explanation quite persuasive? According to the legend recorded in "The Origin of Coffee" written by the Arab Islamic scholar Abd al-Qadir, coffee was already being consumed in the 13th century. Additionally, the ancient city of "Zabid," which was 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 throughout the Indian Ocean from the 13th to about the 16th century. As Islamic influence expanded into Ethiopia in the 13th century, it is believed that coffee spread from Ethiopia during this time. 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 extending from south to north in the western part of the country. Coffee is cultivated on terraces built on 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. Due to the inability to secure stable water sources, all coffee is processed using traditional non-washed methods, specifically natural processing. Furthermore, the original characteristics of Arabica varieties 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 are classified 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-shaped cherry fruit). Among these, Udaini appears to have the most common characteristics and is considered the prototype of Yemeni varieties.

Distribution

Merchants in the capital Sanaa collectively purchase raw materials from various domestic growing regions, buying 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 referred to as "Mokha Mattari," but in Yemen, coffee beans are identified by their harvest region using adjectival descriptions. For example, coffee harvested in the Bani Matar region 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

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