Jabal Bun Farm… Coffee Above the Clouds
In the high mountains of Haraz, where the air is pure and the clouds kiss the peaks, Jabal Bun Farm was born—a bold project founded in 2020 by three men from the Al-Jabal family: Zakaria, Mustafa, and Qusay Al-Jabal. They defied all studies suggesting that coffee trees cannot survive or bear fruit at altitudes exceeding 2,500 meters above sea level. Today, after years of effort, the farm stands as a testament to human determination in reviving Yemeni coffee once again.
Starting from Scratch
At the beginning of the project, the land required comprehensive rehabilitation, which took an entire year. The process involved plowing the soil, preparing agricultural terraces, and enhancing soil quality to create an ideal environment for coffee trees. The area had been neglected for decades due to the migration of villagers to the capital, Sana’a, and the Gulf region, leading to the disappearance of agricultural lands and their transformation into wilderness inhabited by wild animals. Restoring the land was a huge challenge, as costs exceeded all expectations.
In 2021, the first 4,000 coffee trees were planted, and expansion efforts continued until they reached 8,000 trees by 2023. However, the greatest challenge was not just land rehabilitation, but also testing the feasibility of growing coffee at such an extreme altitude. Many believed that the harsh climate conditions would make the project impossible.
The Biggest Challenge
Growing coffee at high altitudes has always been considered a major challenge. While some reports claim that coffee is cultivated at altitudes up to 3,000 meters in Ethiopia, Colombia, and Peru, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains uncertain. In Jabal Bun, however, the evidence is clear. Satellite data, Google Earth images, and smartphone sensors confirm that the farm is located at an altitude ranging between 2,540 and 2,600 meters, making it one of the highest coffee farms in the world.
This was not mere speculation. The founders discovered an old coffee farm in nearby villages at an altitude of 2,560 meters, but its production was weak due to cold weather and roaming animals. Samples were collected and cultivated for testing. After evaluation and refinement, it became clear that coffee grown at this altitude exhibited a unique variety of flavors and a distinguished body, unlike any other coffee in the region. This discovery gave the project great hope for success.
Yemeni Coffee… A Renewed Heritage
Yemeni coffee has been cultivated for more than 500 years using entirely natural methods. The ripe red coffee cherries are traditionally sun-dried for up to a month before their outer husk is removed to extract the green beans. In Jabal Bun, these traditional methods are applied, but with improvements to ensure the highest possible quality. The cherries are meticulously hand-picked and then dried on special raised beds, ensuring even drying that preserves the coffee’s flavor and unique characteristics.
To ensure the success of coffee cultivation in this unusual environment, innovative solutions were implemented, such as supplying trees with the necessary nutrients to withstand frost, rugged terrain, and high humidity. Large amounts of animal waste were used to create 100% organic compost through a natural fermentation process, which helped the trees adapt and produce high-quality yields.
Harvest Season
As the harvest season begins, the coffee cherries gradually change color from green to yellow to deep red, reaching their peak natural sweetness. At this stage, only the ripest cherries are carefully selected and transported to drying facilities, where they are naturally dried without any chemical additives, preserving the rich flavors of the coffee beans.
The farm has started producing its first limited batch, which has been sent to international clients for testing and evaluation. The farm is still awaiting feedback from roasters and experts on the quality of this new product.
Sustainability and Leadership
These young people’s vision was not limited to coffee cultivation alone. He also sought to support local farmers, launching an initiative to purchase coffee from local growers at the best prices, encouraging them to continue growing coffee instead of switching to qat cultivation. This shift is already transforming the agricultural landscape of Haraz. Additionally, the farm constructed a water reservoir with a capacity of one million liters, ensuring a sustainable water supply for irrigation during dry seasons, helping to secure the future of coffee farming in the region.
Towards Global Recognition
Today, after years of hard work, Jabal Bun Farm stands as one of the most promising projects in the world of specialty coffee. The coffee cultivated at this extraordinary altitude is now being exported to global markets, offering a unique experience for coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
What Makes Jabal Bun Coffee Special?
- The farm’s high altitude, which gives the coffee distinctive flavor characteristics.
- A blend of traditional and modern agricultural practices to ensure exceptional quality.
- 100% natural organic fertilization, making the coffee fully organic.
As the 2025 harvest season approaches, all eyes are on this farm, which serves as a living model of the Yemenis’ ability to revive their agricultural heritage and present it to the world at the highest standards.
