Yemeni entrepreneur and coffee industry specialist Abdul Latif Al-Jaradi has opened a new specialty coffee roastery and tasting room in the capital city of Sana’a. This new venture, named “Qahwa Lab,” aims to strengthen the presence of Yemeni coffee in both local and global markets.
The project focuses on producing innovative blends and unique processing techniques for Yemeni coffee, all while adhering to scientific standards during the processing phase. Al-Jaradi explained that the roastery measures sugar content and pH levels for each processing method to achieve optimal quality and cost efficiency.
The project is set to pioneer new experiments in processing non-dried Yemeni coffee and features the creation of special blends for espresso and drip coffee using advanced processing techniques, including natural drying and the innovative “Mocha Story” method. This initiative is part of Al-Jaradi’s broader effort to introduce innovation in the Yemeni specialty coffee sector by offering high-quality products that reflect Yemen’s long-standing reputation as one of the oldest and most important coffee-producing countries in the world.
One of the standout features of “Qahwa Lab” is the direct partnership with Yemeni farmers. They are not only suppliers but are also integrated as true partners in the production process, sharing profits with the business. This model strengthens the relationship between producers and entrepreneurs and lays the foundation for a sustainable business that supports farmers and enhances the quality of Yemeni coffee.
Yemeni coffee boasts a rich history that dates back to the 15th century when Yemen was one of the first countries to export coffee to the world through the port of Mocha. This rich legacy made Yemeni coffee, particularly “Mocha,” famous globally for its high quality and unique flavors. Despite Yemen’s current economic and political challenges, Yemeni coffee maintains its status in global markets thanks to the hard work of local farmers who use traditional farming techniques to ensure high-quality beans, as well as entrepreneurial initiatives like Al-Jaradi’s that aim to modernize the sector.
Al-Jaradi emphasized that his primary goal is to market Yemeni roasted coffee, ready for use, starting in Gulf countries and eventually expanding to global markets. The “Qahwa Lab” project is just the beginning of this ambitious vision, with the ultimate aim of making Yemeni coffee a well-recognized brand worldwide.
This project enhances Yemen’s position as a major player in the specialty coffee industry, highlighting ongoing efforts to support farmers and improve the coffee sector in the country. “Qahwa Lab” represents a key step toward a larger vision of making Yemeni coffee a strong competitor in the global specialty coffee market—a vision fueled by sustainable practices and direct collaboration with local farmers.
With this endeavor, Yemen continues to write new chapters in the history of global coffee, supported by its rich heritage and a forward-looking vision that strives for global excellence.