Mohammed Alburai
Impressions: brown sugar, banana, raisins, mint
Roast degree: 2/5
Farmer: Mohammed Alburai
Governate: Hudaydah
Region: Buraa
Varietal: Bourbon
Process: Natural - slow dried
Partner importer/exporter: Qima Coffee
This beautiful coffee was so close to make it into the Best of Yemen auction organized by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, but fell short by 0,25pt.
Since the coffee was already bought at a great price by Qima, but didn't make it to the main auction stage, it was kind of in limbo. We couldn't let that happen so we bought the full lot.
Mohammed learnt about coffee farming on his father’s farm at a very young
age. His childhood memories are associated with coffee trees. His father was known for his love of his land. Like many farmers in Yemen, Mohammed inherited his coffee knowledge, along with coffee farms from his late father.
Mohammed has followed his father’s steps in managing the farm. He has also transferred his love of coffee farming to his children. They have started helping him on the farm at a young age too. They are now taking the full responsibility of the farm, especially after Mohammed has lost his vision completely in one of his eyes.
Every day after his children return from the farm, they gather around him to describe their day on the farm. He enlightens them with his advices on farm practices and nurturing tricks. He still works on the land with his heart and mind.
“Being one of the best farmers encourages me to do better.”
We've said this often: there is nothing like a good Yemeni coffee!
This one feels like a classic, easy going coffee, but it can feel complex once you sit down and really think about all that you taste.
At first, it's a very balanced, sweet and round coffee we could chug all day. Hints of citrus with raisin sweetness is how we experienced it.
But there is a subtle, tropical aspect to it. For us, it was reminiscent of a ripe banana.
And as the coffee cools down to almost room temperature, we had a note we truly never really felt in a coffee before: mint. Very fresh and unique, and it makes for an amazing cold coffee if you are into flash brews and cold brew.
| Method | Dose | Ratio | Time |
| Espresso | 18 g | 2.3:1 | 26-30 sec |
| Espresso with milk | 18g | 2:1 | 32-36 sec |
| Americano | 18 g | 2.3:1 | 28-32 sec |
|
V60/Origami |
20 g | 17:1 | 3:15-3:45 min |
|
Chemex & Batch Brew |
40-60 g | 16.5:1 | 4:30-5:30 min |
|
French Press |
18-25 g | 15.5:1 | 3:15 min steep time |
Farmer: Mohammed Alburai
Importer & Exporter: Qima Coffee
When you buy this coffee, you contribute to much more than a tasty brew.
This coffee came so close to qualify for the best of Yemen auction, but it fell short by 0,25pt on the last cupping day.
We understand that there needs to be a cut off for events like this, but we still think that cupping score are a little to subjective to dictate so much.
(For David, a lapsed QGrader, this coffee scored higher than many lots who made it to the auction.)
In this case, making it to the auction or not is a very big monetary difference. Thankfully, Qima coffee had already committed to buy this lot at a high price, regardless of if it made it to the auction or not. That is what we love working with them: they always put the farmers first.
Qima coffee also donates 10% of their yearly profits + 10% of the auction profit to their foundation.
By buying the Yemeni coffees on our menu, you help enact positive change at origin.
Go check out their newest initiative: Hope for Taiz.
Price we paid Qima for the coffee: 46CAD/kg
(+530USD for the shipping and logistics)
FOB price: 44CAD/kg
Farmgate price: 29CAD/kg