Characteristics and Flavor of Yemeni Coffee Matali Variety Premium Coffee Beans and How to Brew Yemeni Coffee

Introduction to Yemen Coffee

Yemen is located on the Arabian Peninsula of the Asian continent, but it is very close to Africa - just across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. However, since other Arab countries do not produce coffee, the world has classified Yemen coffee as a member of the North African coffee family. So what exactly is Yemen Mocha?

The Origin of Mocha

Mocha is the export port for Yemen coffee. In the history of coffee trade, it was difficult to name all the small sub-regions, even though the coffee produced by these insignificant small regions was truly excellent. Therefore, they used the export location as the name, including nearby East African natural processed beans that were all exported from Mocha Port to the world. Today, Mocha Port has long been silted up and disappeared, and many Ethiopian natural processed beans also name themselves Mocha, such as the Harar Mocha we are familiar with. I think this is because its flavor shares some common characteristics with Yemen coffee.

The most correct spelling of Mocha coffee should be Al-Mahka, which is the Arabic spelling, but ultimately it is still spelled Mocca or Mocha as seen on the burlap bags. Regardless of some naming and spelling trivialities, Yemen coffee is the most unique and expensive coffee in the world. In terms of overall style, it has a "wild" or "natural" coffee flavor with earthy notes and extremely high complexity. For some people, it has a pungent spice aroma, but no matter what, you must find time to try it. If you deeply fall in love with it, that will be the beginning of a brand new coffee journey.

Yemen's Coffee Culture and Trade

Yemen is very likely the first country in the world to use coffee as a cash crop. Legend has it that coffee was introduced by Islamic Sufi pilgrims from Ethiopia in the 6th century. Yemen's coffee culture differs from other regions - exporters do not buy directly from farms but purchase from large wholesale distributors. The coffee received by local wholesale distributors contains pods - it's whole sun-dried coffee cherries, usually stored in cellars. The special flavor of Yemen coffee that people love may come from their ancient trading methods.

Yemen's coffee farmers have not been harmed by the trading method through wholesale distributors, mainly because local coffee cultivation land is limited, combined with high altitude and limited water resources, making production very scarce. Meanwhile, the demand for Yemen coffee is very high, keeping Yemen coffee prices high.

Yemen coffee growth and harvest are not easy. Most farmland grows khat grass, which is said to have a mild stimulating effect. This plant absorbs water from underground, thereby damaging the underground aquifer. Growing coffee is different - we hope to make some changes so that farmers stop growing khat grass.

Yemen Mocca Matari

■ Country: Yemen

■ Region: Bani Matar

■ Altitude: 2000-2400 meters

■ Processing: Natural

■ Variety: Matari

■ Flavor Description: Full and thick body, woody, wine aroma, juicy sensation, berries, dried fruits, longan and other flavors, as well as tobacco, smoky aftertaste

Matari is the most famous coffee bean in Yemen, located in the Bani Matari highlands west of the capital Sana'a. It has a strong, thick flavor with distinct berry aromas.

Yemen Mocca Haimi

■ Country: Yemen

■ Region: Al-Haimah

■ Altitude: 1500-2200 meters

■ Processing: Natural

■ Variety: Haimi

■ Flavor Description: Woody, fresh pod and other plant tones, with chocolate and cream flavors, quite clean

FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Recommendations

1. Dripper: V60

2. Water Temperature: 88°C

3. Grind Size: Fuji 4

4. Roast Level: Medium

5. Bloom Time: 25 seconds

Flavor: Balanced, chocolate, persistent caramel sweetness in aftertaste

FrontStreet Coffee Suggested Method

15g coffee, Fuji 4 grind, V60 dripper, 88-89°C water temperature. First pour 30g water for 25s bloom, then pour to 104g and stop. Wait until the water level drops to half, then slowly pour until reaching 220g. Avoid the last 5g. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, extraction time about 2:00 (counting from after bloom completion).

Related recommendations: Description of Yemen coffee flavor and characteristics. Is Yemen Mocha coffee good to drink?

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