Dubai Ali Alzakary
At the heart of coffee’s long story, Yemeni coffee remains one of its most authentic and fascinating chapters. From the mountains of Yemen—where coffee first began its journey to the rest of the world—the beans still carry the aroma of history and the character of a land cultivated by generations of farmers. Yet such a rich legacy always needs voices capable of telling its story and bringing it back into the global spotlight.
Among those voices is Amal Al-Ekadi, a Yemeni coffee advocate and marketing specialist who has dedicated years to promoting Yemeni coffee and highlighting its place in the global market. In this conversation with Qahwa World, Al-Ekadi shares her personal journey, the challenges she has faced, and her hopes for the future of Yemeni coffee. Through the following lines, readers are invited to discover her story and vision.
- A Journey into the World of Coffee
Amal Al-Ekadi describes herself as someone who has been deeply engaged in the world of Yemeni coffee for several years, particularly in promoting and introducing Yemeni beans to wider audiences. Her professional path began at a foreign company where she worked in the production department before gradually advancing into shipping and export operations.
Throughout this journey, she says her goal remained clear: to help the world recognise the true value and rich heritage of Yemeni coffee. Today she is based in Riyadh, but she still considers herself part of the ongoing effort to amplify the voice of Yemeni coffee internationally.
- Passion Behind the Idea
Al-Ekadi explains that her decision to work in promoting Yemeni coffee grew from her deep love for it and her belief that it represents a true treasure. Yemen, she notes, is the birthplace of coffee, yet marketing efforts have not always reflected this historical importance. This realization motivated her to become part of a movement that introduces people to this remarkable product and restores its rightful place in the global coffee scene.
- A Flavor That Tells a Story
What fascinates Amal Al-Ekadi most about Yemeni coffee is its unique flavor profile and the diversity that appears from one region to another. For her, Yemeni coffee is far more than a beverage—it is a story, a culture, and a way of life shaped by farmers who dedicate years of work and care to cultivating these beans before they reach a cup.
- First Steps
Her beginnings in the field were modest. Amal Al-Ekadi started by communicating directly with farmers and learning about the different varieties of Yemeni coffee. She also acknowledges the support she received from her former manager, Shubair Ezi, whose guidance played an important role in her early career.
Through her work in shipping and export, she gained practical experience while also introducing Yemeni coffee to wider audiences through social media and professional connections with coffee enthusiasts both inside and outside Yemen.
- Challenges Along the Way
The path, however, was not without obstacles. Al-Ekadi points to the difficult circumstances Yemen has experienced in recent years, including war and the logistical challenges of transportation and export.
Despite these difficulties, Yemeni coffee has continued to find its way to global markets, thanks to the efforts of people who believe deeply in its value and remain committed to sharing it with the world.
- Growing Global Interest
According to Amal Al-Ekadi, the past few years have brought a noticeable shift in how people perceive Yemeni coffee. With the rapid growth of the specialty coffee movement worldwide, more consumers and professionals have begun to recognize the exceptional quality and distinctive character of Yemeni beans.
This renewed interest has helped return Yemeni coffee to the international conversation about premium and specialty origins.
- The Distinctive Flavors of Yemen’s Mountains
While she believes every Yemeni coffee origin has its own charm, Amal Al-Ekadi says she is particularly drawn to coffees from mountainous regions such as Haraz and Yafa. Beans from these areas often display complex and rich flavor profiles that appeal strongly to specialty coffee enthusiasts.
- The Growing Role of Yemeni Women
Amal Al-Ekadi also highlights the important role Yemeni women play in the coffee sector, from farming and processing to marketing and promotion. She believes women’s presence in the industry has become increasingly visible and influential in recent years, a development she considers both encouraging and essential for the sector’s future.
- A Dream for Yemeni Coffee
For Amal Al-Ekadi, the long-term dream is for Yemeni coffee to fully reclaim its global reputation. Equally important is ensuring that Yemeni farmers receive the recognition and fair prices they deserve for the tremendous effort they invest in cultivating this historic crop.
- A Message to Farmers and Young Entrepreneurs
In closing, Amal Al-Ekadi offers a message to farmers and young people interested in entering the coffee sector. Farmers, she says, are the foundation of this precious heritage, while the younger generation holds the key to its future development.
With greater awareness, thoughtful work, and professional marketing, she believes Yemeni coffee can become not only a source of pride but also an important economic pillar for Yemen.
Amal Al-Ekadi also expressed her appreciation to Qahwa World and to Mr Ali for the opportunity to share her experience with Yemeni coffee, expressing hope that collective efforts will continue to highlight the value of this historic product and bring it the recognition it deserves.
