PORT OF MOKHA in China on NATIONAL Cupping Tour of seven cities- Shanghai, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Hubei, Guangzhou, Yunnan and Shenzhen last month April 27-30th!
Port of Mokha Yemen Varietal info
Yemen’s coffee is distinctive and mysterious sometimes. In a world of increasing homogenization and commoditization, it stands out as a potent relic of uniqueness. This is at once both the source of its difficulties and the source of its success. Yemen is one of the most historic coffee-producing nations, having launched the trade of what has become one of the world’s most important agricultural commodities. Yemen’s coffee farmers still practice traditional natural methods—sometimes at very high altitudes up to 2,500 m—that result in low production yields and distinctive flavors. Some of Yemen’s coffees are prized around the world and receive among the highest prices in the marketplace. Despite the high market price, most coffee farmers are poor. Low productivity is exacerbated by water shortage that, along with inadequate post-harvest methods, contributes to low quality in many areas and subsequent high levels of lost value.
https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadf516.pdf
Researchers have concluded different numbers but most seem to agree on four main varieties: Udaini, Dawairi, Tufahi and Bura’ai. According to “Surveying and Classifying Coffee in Yemen” (Ali Mukrid Qaid 1993), most of the Yemeni coffee plants may belong to these four main varieties. The Coffee Research Unit of the Ministry based in Taiz, indicates a potential fifth basic variety called Abu Sura. In 2004, Al-Hakimi and Allard (2005) concluded that there were six main varieties in Yemen. Many of the local types tend to most resemble the Udaini variety, leading to speculation that this variety may well be the oldest coffee landrace in Yemen. Recent efforts by the MAI’s Coffee Department, Agricultural Research Authority, and its regional research stations, and the Genetics Origins Center of Sana’a University are beginning to build the data for these plants in order to create a solid taxonomy. However, there is inadequate scientific effort to identify the characteristics that would be most desirable for either the farmers (e.g., drought tolerant, pest resistant, high yielding, etc.) or the marketplace (e.g., bean morphology/hardness and flavor characteristics). Table 1.2 notes some recognized characteristics.
TABLE 1.2.
https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadf516.pdf
Researchers have concluded different numbers but most seem to agree on four main varieties: Udaini, Dawairi, Tufahi and Bura’ai. According to “Surveying and Classifying Coffee in Yemen” (Ali Mukrid Qaid 1993), most of the Yemeni coffee plants may belong to these four main varieties. The Coffee Research Unit of the Ministry based in Taiz, indicates a potential fifth basic variety called Abu Sura. In 2004, Al-Hakimi and Allard (2005) concluded that there were six main varieties in Yemen. Many of the local types tend to most resemble the Udaini variety, leading to speculation that this variety may well be the oldest coffee landrace in Yemen. Recent efforts by the MAI’s Coffee Department, Agricultural Research Authority, and its regional research stations, and the Genetics Origins Center of Sana’a University are beginning to build the data for these plants in order to create a solid taxonomy. However, there is inadequate scientific effort to identify the characteristics that would be most desirable for either the farmers (e.g., drought tolerant, pest resistant, high yielding, etc.) or the marketplace (e.g., bean morphology/hardness and flavor characteristics). Table 1.2 notes some recognized characteristics.
TABLE 1.2.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY LANDRACES Variety Height (m) Fruits Foliage Shape Production Dawairi 1-4 Large rounded Rounded Year around Tufahi 2-6 Large apple-shape Elongated Alternative years Udaini 2-4 Medium rounded or flat Pendulous Once a year Burra’i 1-3 Medium large round to ovaloid Pyramid Year around Dawairi thrives in the lower altitudes and is found up to 1,700 m. Tufahi has a somewhat broader range and is found up to 2,000 m. Udaini is commonly found in the mid to higher altitudes up to the range of 2,200m to 2500m. Bura’ai tolerates higher altitudes well and can reportedly be found as high as 2,500 m.