Haraz – Qahwa World

High in Yemen’s rugged western highlands, the Haraz region stands as one of the world’s most demanding and refined coffee-growing landscapes. Farming coffee here is not merely an agricultural activity; it is a disciplined system built on manual labor, inherited knowledge, and a deep respect for natural cycles.
At Jabalbon Estate, this centuries-old approach remains alive, offering a clear field example of how Yemeni mountain coffee is cultivated with precision, patience, and purpose.

The land reclamation process in Jabalbon Estate farms in Haraz
The land reclamation process in Jabalbon Estate farms in Haraz
  • Reclaiming the Mountain Slopes

The coffee journey in Haraz begins with land rehabilitation, a physically intensive process essential to survival farming in steep terrain. Farmers remove invasive trees such as acacia, clear wild grasses, and restore collapsed stone terraces using traditional construction methods. These terraces are more than landscape features. They stabilize soil, capture seasonal rainfall, and prevent erosion, forming the backbone of sustainable agriculture in Yemen’s high mountains.

A plot of land in Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, where meticulous care is evident from the very beginning.
A plot of land in Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, where meticulous care is evident from the very beginning.
  • Precision in Field Layout

Once the land is prepared, plots are carefully mapped to determine planting points. Coffee trees are spaced at approximately two meters apart, a deliberate decision aimed at improving soil aeration, reducing nutrient competition, and allowing balanced root and canopy development. In an environment where every square meter matters, spacing becomes a quality factor rather than a convenience.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, every tree in its plot tells a unique story.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, every tree in its plot tells a unique story.
  • The “Buur” Pits: A Local Practice with Scientific Logic

One of Haraz’s most distinctive practices is the use of deep planting pits, locally known as buur. Each pit is roughly one meter deep and one meter wide. These pits are designed to break compact volcanic clay soil, enhance drainage, and reactivate biological life within the ground.
Left exposed for several months, the pits are naturally sterilized by sunlight before being refilled, transforming dense soil into a healthier growing medium ready to receive coffee seedlings.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, the timing of planting is carefully managed.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, the timing of planting is carefully managed.
  • Seasonal Planting Windows

Coffee seedlings are planted during two key periods: March and July. These windows coincide with moderate temperatures and natural moisture from seasonal rains, significantly increasing seedling survival rates and long-term stability.

  • In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, coffee trees receive continuous care throughout the year, carried out manually with precise professional attention.
    In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, coffee trees receive continuous care throughout the year, carried out manually with precise professional attention.

Maintaining coffee trees in Haraz requires continuous attention. Due to the soil’s tendency to harden, farmers carry out multiple annual plowing cycles to prevent root suffocation.
Irrigation relies primarily on rainfall, supported by carefully controlled supplemental watering when necessary. Fertilization follows a balanced program focused on strengthening root systems, supporting vegetative growth, and improving cherry quality over time rather than chasing short-term yields.

Jabalbon Estate is located atop the peaks of the Haraz Mountains, where the high altitude is one of the key factors behind its quality and distinction.
Jabalbon Estate is located atop the peaks of the Haraz Mountains, where the high altitude is one of the key factors behind its quality and distinction.
  • Altitude: The Silent Quality Driver

Jabalbon’s farms are located at elevations exceeding 2,600 meters above sea level. At this height, cooler temperatures and wide day–night fluctuations slow cherry development.
This extended maturation period increases bean density and contributes to the layered, complex flavor profiles that distinguish high-altitude Yemeni coffee on the global stage.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, patience and continuous effort are two indispensable factors.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, patience and continuous effort are two indispensable factors.
  • Patience Before Productivity

Coffee trees at Jabalbon are nurtured for years before reaching full economic production. Peak performance typically begins around the sixth year, when trees achieve physiological stability and consistent output. The philosophy here prioritizes longevity over speed, treating each tree as a long-term agricultural partner rather than a short-term asset.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, between the tree’s flowering and the fruit’s ripening lies a journey that is both challenging and rewarding.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, between the tree’s flowering and the fruit’s ripening lies a journey that is both challenging and rewarding.
  • Flowering, Maturation, and Harvest

Flowering generally begins in March, followed by a slow maturation period lasting six to seven months. Harvest season starts in October and is conducted entirely by hand.
Only fully ripe red cherries are selectively picked, while unripe or green fruit is deliberately excluded. This strict selection ensures that each harvest reflects the true expression of altitude, soil, and climate.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, there is complete reliance on manual labor.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, there is complete reliance on manual labor.
  • Agricultural Ethics at the Core

Jabalbon Estate operates on principles that define traditional Yemeni coffee farming: manual cultivation, respect for natural rhythms, and refusal to force productivity at the expense of tree health.
Here, quality is not engineered through shortcuts. It is earned through time, restraint, and commitment to the land.

In Yemen’s high mountains, coffee is not grown to be harvested quickly — it is grown to endure.

In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, irrigation holds special importance and follows precise schedules.
In Jabalbon Estate in Haraz, irrigation holds special importance and follows precise schedules.