| Yemen |
| |
 GEOGRAPHY
& CLIMATE:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden,
and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Yemen's climate varies with the terrain. In September-April,
the weather is a little cooler and drier than at other
times. In March, April, September and October, snow falls
in the higher elevations. Summers are very hot (often
above 100 degrees during the day) and rainy (up to 35
in/89 cm of rain in the three-month period): The coastal
area can have extremely high humidity during the summer.
COFFEE BACKGROUND:
There are quite a few versions of the discovery of coffee.
The best-known and oldest of these dates from the 9th
century in Arabia. A shepherd boy was looking after goats
in the Yemeni highlands. Every day he led the herd to
new pastures. One day, after the goats had been munching
on a certain shrub with red berries, they began jumping
more than they had ever done before.
The abbot of a nearby monastery, who heard about this,
had some berries collected and made into an infusion for
his Order. Sure enough, it had the same effect on the
monks, who were able to keep praying through the night
without becoming tired. Soon they couldn't do without
the drink. During the rainy season they hung twigs full
of berries over an open fire to dry, one of the twigs
fell into the fire, the beans were charred and gave off
an aroma. Attracted by the scent, the monks saved the
blistered beans, ground them up and then prepared their
usual infusion. They noticed that the taste was more delicious,
and the invigorating effects remained. The secret of coffee
beans had been discovered!
 SPECIES:
Arabica
ALTITUDES AT WHICH GROWN: 3,000 - 7,000 FT
Yemen Mocca coffee is the world's oldest cultivated coffee,
distinguished by its richness, full body with chocolaty
fruity undertones which have become synonymous with "mocha"
flavor. The best coffee beans are grown many miles inland,
on the high mountain terraces (in the mountainous region
of Sanani in south Yemen at altitudes in excess of 4,500
ft.). The trees are pampered, individually cared for by
local farmers and grown with rainwater irrigation, without
the use of chemicals.
PREPARATION METHOD: “Unwashed” |
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