Yemen Bait Hameed
Yemen Bait Hameed
This limited edition coffee is bursting with sweetness and acidity and reminds us of mulled wine. The cup profile is rather distinct, which comes as no surprise. Not only is this the first Yemeni coffee in our range, its Yemenia variety, found exclusively in Yemen, is also a whole new world for us.
Process: Natural
Varieties/Cultivars: Yemenia
Altitude: 2350 masl, 15.2°N
Cup Profile: Mulled Wine, Dark Chocolate, Plum
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Price Transparency
We paid an FOB price of $20.41/lb for this coffee, which is 1021% of the Fairtrade minimum price.
Learn more about what this means here.
Bait Hameed
Producer: the Hameed Family
Purchasing relationship: 1 years
Region: Bait Alal, Hayma Kharijiya, Sana'a
Altitude: 2350 masl, 15.2°N
The village Bait Alal, perched on a mountain top at very high altitude, is home to around 300 farming families. Land is passed down through many generations. One of the families is the Hameed family, which has called this area home for generations. The area around the village is very remote and a challenging terrain to produce coffee in. The farmers face difficulties due to the harsh climate, which is one of the reasons for low yields being produced. No matter how small the harvest or how harsh the conditions, however, the farmers never abandon their coffee trees, which are symbol of pride.
Seasoned coffee growers with a profound connection to their land, the Hameed family sees their coffee trees and terraces as more than just a source of income – they are a legacy and a point of pride. With an intuitive yet meticulous approach to coffee cultivation, they treat each tree as an extension of themselves. Close and extended family members continue to come together to tend the farms, planting new seedlings and nurturing every tree with care. The high altitudes allow for slow cherry maturation, resulting in coffees with exceptional complexity and distinct flavour profiles. Despite scarce resources and the isolation of the area, the Hameed family remains dedicated to perfecting their craft, producing exceptional coffees that represent their heritage and their commitment to quality.
Qima Coffee
Qima Coffee was established in 2016 in the midst of Yemen’s raging civil war and has since grown to become Yemen’s largest specialty coffee exporter and one of the country’s most impactful social enterprises. They started working with 30 farmers in one community in south-central Yemen. Today, the number of smallholder farmers they work with is close to 3´000 and they work in 55 communities across Yemen’s various coffee growing regions.
Beyond sourcing, Qima has invested into researching Yemen’s coffee genetics and has published scientific papers on the subject. In 2020, Qima announced the discovery of Yemenia, a previously unknown genetic group of the Arabica coffee species. Qima continues to invest in the country's farmer infrastructure and push the boundaries of innovation to reestablish Yemen’s reputation as a significant coffee origin.
Yemen
Did you know Yemen has one of the longest histories of coffee production, dating back to the 1400s? Extreme conditions marked by low rainfall and drastic temperature swings are typical for coffee production in Yemen. These conditions have undoubtedly shaped resilient landraces over 600 years, from the introduction of coffee in the 1400s to today.
Yemenia
Yemenia is a newly identified «mother varietal» within the species Coffea arabica, found exclusively in Yemen. This discovery represents a vast reservoir of untapped genetic diversity and future varieties with the potential to redefine the world of Arabica coffee for centuries. Yemenia was researched extensively the last few years by Qima Coffee. The project included Yemen's largest-ever genetic coffee survey, spanning over 25'000 square kilometres. Yemenia, which has not been found anywhere else in the world, has not only displayed unique and complex cup quality. Due to its significant potential for climate resilience, it might potentially benefit farmers across the globe who are struggling with the effects of climate change. Further research is conducted to identify new varieties within the Yemenia group.
Sana’a
Situated in Yemen’s central highlands is Sana’a, one of the country's coffee growing regions. It is renowned for its rugged mountainous terrain, fertile valleys, and unique climate – all of which combine to create exceptional, but challenging coffee-growing conditions. The region is home to Jabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb, the highest mountain in the Arabian Peninsula, and fertile valleys such as Wadi Dhahr, known for their agricultural abundance. Remarkably, Sana’a receives the lowest annual rainfall of any coffee-growing region globally, averaging just 244 mm, compared to the global average of 1,368 mm. Yet, it boasts one of the world’s longest continuous coffee cultures, with coffee historically exported through the port of Mocha. The region remains a cornerstone of Yemeni coffee, celebrated for its quality and historical significance.
Nestled in the western highlands of Yemen, Hayma Kharijiya stands as one of the country’s most renowned coffee-growing regions. This area, dotted with picturesque villages and enveloped by navy-blue mountain chains, is celebrated for producing some of Yemen’s most sought-after specialty coffees. Traditional farming methods are passed down through generations and coffee is often grown alongside other crops, maintaining the region’s ecological balance.
Brew Recommendation
Origami Dripper S, Origami 2 Cup paper filter
15g coffee, 250g water, 93°c
medium filter grind size
brew with 4 pours
total contact time 2:25-2:45