Yemen: Zahra & Bani Murra 125g

This coffee is a preorder as we only have a tiny amount. it will be roasted on Wednesday the 15th of October.

High in the rugged mountains of East Haraz, Yemen, the villages of Zahra and Bani Murra sit at an extraordinary altitude of 2,350 metres above sea level. This remote region, known for its terraced hillsides and ancient coffee traditions, is home to a small group of dedicated farmers cultivating heirloom Jaadi varietals. The extreme elevation and arid climate create ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation, contributing to the clarity and complexity of the final cup.

The coffee is naturally processed and dried on raised beds for 19 days, a method that preserves the integrity of the fruit while encouraging a balanced, controlled fermentation. This traditional approach, combined with meticulous attention throughout, results in a remarkably clean and expressive profile - something not always associated with Yemeni naturals, which can sometimes lean toward rustic or overly fermented. The producers’ commitment to quality is evident in every step, from selective hand-picking through to meticulous sorting.

What makes this coffee even more compelling is the story behind its journey to market. A few years ago, two of the producers were granted visas to visit the UK, where they attended the London School of Coffee to deepen their understanding of roasting, cupping, and consumer preferences. During their visit, they met Taher Jiwanji, a civil engineer with a long-standing connection to Yemen. Sharing a cultural and religious bond, Taher offered to support their efforts and eventually helped establish a supply chain to bring their coffee to the UK.

This partnership led to the founding of a small import company dedicated to Yemeni coffee, bridging the gap between remote mountain farms and specialty coffee drinkers abroad. For Taher, it was a steep learning curve into the world of coffee logistics, but one driven by a deep respect for the people and the land. For the producers, it was a chance to share their heritage with a wider audience while gaining access to tools and knowledge that could elevate their craft. Together, they’ve built something rare and beautiful - coffee that carries the weight of heritage and the spirit of collaboration.

• Country: Yemen
• Region: East Haraz
  
• Producer: Smallholders of Zahra & Bani Murra villages
  
• Elevation: 2,350 m.a.s.l.
• Varietal: Jaadi
• Process: Natural

Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, plum jam, nutmeg, cinnamon.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 7
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6.5
• Flavour: (1–8): 7
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 7
• Balance: (1–8): 6.5
• Overall: (1–8): 6.5
• Correction:(+36): +36
• Total: (max. 100): 89

Roasting Information
Medium Dark: don't expect much noise from this and the colour will look darker than it really is - you want a good medium to medium dark, near the end of the gap, but this is a tricky one to judge.