Freshly Roasted to Order
Our coffees are roasted just before being sent to you
Up to 30% Bulk Discounts
Save up to 30% when you order multiple items. More information
Whole Beans or Pre-ground
Not sure what you need? Check out our Grind Guide. More information
From north Yemen, on the Arabian Peninsula, comes one of the truly exotic coffees of the world - Yemeni Mattari, the famed Mocha coffee which has been acclaimed for generations for its distinctive chocolate aftertaste. Yemen produces some of the best coffee in the world, despite very difficult conditions, and it has been doing so for hundreds of years. Only 3% of Yemen's land is considered arable, and just under a quarter of that is dedicated to coffee production. As a cash crop, coffee is second only to qat, a popular mild stimulant whose leaves are chewed. Yemeni coffee is produced on approximately 99,000 small family holdings, which means the average plot of coffee is grown on just under three fourths of an acre. That acreage is often very steep, as most coffee is grown in the mountains on terraces carved out of the precipitous hillsides. Yields of Yemen coffee beans are low in comparison to other Asian coffee. The small size of the farms, scarcity of water, and poor cultivation techniques hamper production. Many of the coffee farms are cultivated by tenant farmers, and there is little motivation for investment in terracing, water conservation, and other improvements. Despite these obstacles, Yemen continues to produce outstanding coffee. Coffee from Yemen has been prized for centuries. It was once one of the top producers in the world, and its Mocha coffee, exported from the old Yemeni port of Mocha, is the original Mocha in Mocha Java, which originated when traders blended Middle Eastern coffee with the Dutch coffee from Southeast Asia. Yemeni coffee is scarce in contrast with other coffee producing nations; Yemen consumes almost three quarters of its production at home, and 55% of what it does export goes to its wealthy neighbour to the north, Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to be able to offer you a taste of this rare coffee from Yemen. Our Yemen Mattari has a superb flavour. It starts with a hint of dark chocolate in the aroma, which shows up again in the taste. The coffee is rich with medium acidity and just the right brightness, but there is something that tastes almost green or herbal that adds, perhaps, a taste of the steep mountain terraces it is grown on.
Get to know our rare Yemen coffee
On the steep mountainsides of the Arabian Peninsula grows one of the most exotic coffees in the world – Yemeni Matari. Only a small fraction of Yemen’s arable land is used for growing this celebrated Mocha coffee, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after roasts available.
If you’ve yet to experience the rich notes of this remarkable Yemen Mocha or want to learn more about its origins, read on for a closer look at what makes this coffee so special.
What makes Yemeni coffee special
Yemen is home to one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world, dating back over five centuries. It is believed that coffee plants were first brought from Ethiopia by pilgrims travelling to Mecca, taking root in Yemen’s mountainous terrain. By the 16th century, coffee had become part of Yemeni life, and in the 17th century, the port of Mocha became the world’s first major hub for coffee exports, giving the beverage its famous name.
The country’s high-altitude farms—often between 6,500 and 7,000 feet—are arid and difficult to cultivate. Water is scarce, and yields are extremely low, with some farmers producing only a kilogram of green beans per harvest. Every cherry is handpicked, grown without artificial fertilisers or pesticides, and dried naturally in the sun. These demanding conditions result in small quantities but exceptional quality.
Recent years have seen Yemen’s coffee output further reduced due to civil conflict, with exports falling to less than half of previous levels. Most of the country’s coffee is consumed locally, and over half of what remains goes to Saudi Arabia, making authentic Yemeni Mocha beans rare and valuable.
Spotlight on the word Mocha
The word “Mocha” is often misunderstood. While many associate it with a chocolate-flavoured coffee drink, the name originally referred to the coffee exported through Yemen’s ancient Red Sea port of Al-Mahka, later known as Mocha. Over time, the term also became linked with Mocha-Java blends that combine Yemeni and Indonesian beans. In essence, true Mocha coffee refers to high-quality Arabica beans grown in Yemen.
The best mocha coffee beans from Yemen
Yemen produces two main varieties of coffee: Sanani and Mattari. Sanani beans are smooth and balanced, while Mattari beans are regarded as the finest of all Yemen Mochas. Yemen Mocha Mattari, also known as Yemeni Matari, is prized for its rich flavour, wine-like complexity and deep chocolate notes.
Coffee Direct’s Yemeni Matari is a small-batch roast that delivers dark chocolate and cherry flavours with gentle acidity and a mellow, rounded body. It’s a luxurious single-origin coffee that offers both heritage and depth in every cup.
Customers describe it as “exquisite”, with “chocolatey tones that cheer you up” and “aromas that are impossible to resist.” Its smooth yet complex profile makes it a favourite among those seeking a truly distinctive coffee experience.
FAQs
Why is coffee from Yemen so expensive
Yemeni coffee is costly because of its low yields, manual harvesting, difficult growing conditions and limited export supply. High local consumption and conflict-related challenges further contribute to its rarity and price.
Is Mocha a blended coffee
No. Mocha refers to a variety of Arabica coffee grown in Yemen. It should not be confused with the sweetened beverage made from coffee and chocolate.
Where can I buy Yemen coffee in the UK
Coffee Direct’s Yemeni Matari is one of the finest examples of this rare coffee. Each batch is freshly roasted to order and available as whole beans or pre-ground to suit your brewing method, ensuring exceptional freshness and quality.
How many cups of coffee will I get in a bag
A standard 454g bag makes around sixty-four single espressos, thirty cafetière servings or forty-four filter cups. Considering that a single cup of premium Yemeni coffee can cost up to £15 in cafés, buying it by the bag offers exceptional value, especially with subscription savings available on regular deliveries.
Roast Type
Medium Roast
Aeropress
Cafetiere
Filter
Percolator
Turkish
Vacuum or Siphon
We deliver across the UK and to selected EU countries using Royal Mail and DPD. Available delivery options and charges are shown at checkout. Our standard delivery service takes 1–3 working days.
Some third-party supplied products may have different delivery times and costs, which will be clearly shown at checkout.
Coffee machines and certain other equipment may be shipped directly from the manufacturer. Where this applies, full delivery details will be provided at checkout.
Choose the grind that matches your brewing method.
- Bean-to-Cup Machines
- Espresso Machines
- AeroPress
- Moka Pots
- Cafetière / French Press
- Percolator
- Cold Brew
- Filter / Pour-Over Brewers
- Turkish Method
All of our coffees stay fresh unopened for up to 9 months. Our teas stay fresh unopened for up to 12 months.