Description

The Haraaz Coffee Project – from qaat to coffee

The Haraaz coffee project was started by Shabbir Ezzi in 2007 who when visiting the Haraaz region of Yemen with his wife in 2006, was struck by the beauty of the Haraaz mountains and touched by the plight of the struggling local farmers. One of the biggest issues that negatively impacts the development of the Yemen is qaat – a narcotic which has become a common addiction, particularly among young men in the region. Much of the arable land is overtaken by qaat. “The Haraaz coffee project is about getting better revenues from coffee to make the growers less dependent on qaat growing,” explains Mr Ezzi. Profits from the project have built paved roads, water treatment facilities, a hospital and school enabling farming families to have a sustainable future in the industry. “Our commitment is to pay a fair price to the farmers,” said Mr Ezzi, “and develop sustainable agriculture and long-term health for the Haraaz mountain communities.”

Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, has unfortunately been viewed in negative light recently, however, this unstable war-torn economy has little chance of recovery without the opportunity for commerce. Sustainable agriculture and connecting Yemeni coffee farmers with the global market is a step towards peace, economic growth and stability in the region.

Yemen – the birthplace of coffee

Yemeni coffee is renowned for being rich and smooth. This coffee is grown under extremely dry conditions, on stone terraces at high elevations. Growing conditions like these mean the plants grow more slowly giving the beans a richer more concentrated flavor.

Yemen is the birthplace of coffee. First cultivated by Sufi Monks, who made the marvelous discovery that the seed in the coffee cherries could be roasted, ground and made into an beverage which has been invigorating and inspiring the world since.

What customers are saying about this coffee

Emily Kay Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect coffee for afternoon break-time!
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2020
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I love this coffee. The drink we call coffee started in Yemen, which you know if you read Dave Eggers’ The Monk of Mokha. I love that this coffee comes from the Haraaz growers. This coffee is light and flavorful, beautifully roasted without that burned taste that is so common in “fancy” coffee. I drink it to get going in the morning, and it helps me push through mounds of work. But I really love to savor it in the afternoon on my break, and preferably with a piece of cake like the Germans do. (Try it with something cinnamon!) It’s addictive in the best way, helping me look forward to my downtime with delight and then spring back with energy for the demands of caring for my family.

Janell K
5.0 out of 5 stars Best coffee I’ve ever had!
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is such amazing coffee!! It is sweet, and delicious! I usually take cream and sugar with my coffee, but this is so versatile I have been drinking it black! It doesn’t have the bitterness that so many coffees have that make you want to mask it with sugar or cream. It’s just a really nice pleasant smell. Sometimes I open the bag and just sniff the aroma. It really is a pleasant drink. Makes the morning start much smoother!