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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. Available delivery options and charges are shown at checkout. Our standard delivery service takes 1–2 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
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All of our coffees stay fresh unopened for up to 9 months. Our teas stay fresh unopened for up to 12 months.
Customers praised this premium coffee for its "beautiful chocolate aroma" and "superb body" with notes of dark chocolate, mocha, and fruit. Many called it "the best coffee ever" with smooth, balanced flavor and no bitterness. However, some found the price high and a few noted inconsistent batches with stale or metallic aftertaste. Fast delivery and vacuum-sealed freshness were appreciated.
Great tasting coffee, lots of body , notes of Cacao chocolate bitterness, a pleasing cup of coffee.
A beautiful fragrant and smooth coffee. Freshly ground and perfectly delivered in a vacuum sealed package.
lovely coffee as always, plus fast delivery. Thank you coffee-direct
One of the finest types of coffee, delicious and wonderful. I highly recommend it.
Brilliant, super fresh, roasted 2 days before it arrived.
Quality coffee beans , super tasty Yemeni matari coffee beans with notes - aromas raisin, apricot, dark chocolate and slight spices off cinnamon
Again. Aroma and taste the same. Really interesting aroma and taste.
Quite a nice coffee but given the price it is less competitive than others. I would still buy it if only to support Yemeni growers.
Extraordinary coffee. One that actually makes people ask what’s that?
Is it it worth the price office to say but if you like coffee and want a treat give it go. I certainly keep going back for more . Dark chocolate and cherries are the what come to mind
The service from Coffee-direct was great and I expect we shall be buying from them again. We bought the Yemeni coffee because of Yemen's strong historical connection with coffee. It was certainly OK, but our expectations were too high and, bearing in mind the problems and challenges in that country, perhaps we got a bit carried away!
The best coffee ever
I'm only giving this 3 stars because I have tasted much purer tail ends of Yemeni beans.
These beans are slightly do stale tasting, with that "dry-roasted" residue in what would otherwise have been a very pleasant taste.
Having said that ignoring the grainy notes, the Mocha fruity characteristics are there, just somewhat spoiled by the darker bitterness.
Maybe just a s bad batch, but will be looking elsewhere for my Yemen hit.
Absolutely delicious coffee with a very unique flavour, but too expensive to be my daily brew. I bought it originally for the small bean size, larger beans occasionally jam the grinder in my coffee machine. I will buy it for special occasions or regularly if I win the lottery!
I tried Yemeni Matari along with others when I was new to grinding my own beans.
I settled on Ethiopian Yergacheffe as my favourite but thought I would give the Yemeni Matari another try as I had not tried it in a while.
For the cost, it did not deliver any wow factor, in fact I don't think it had the depth of flavour of Yergacheffe.
I won't be buying this again.
10/10 service.
just about perfect in every way. Probably the best coffee I have ever had. Great fruit, acidity and quite simply delicious.
Nice.
Great :+1::+1::+1:
Superb body; incredible aroma and aftertaste. This is one of the best coffees I've ever had.
Drinkable, but not one I want to order again. It just didn’t leave a lasting impression one way or the other. If it helps, for context, I love Arabica Supreme.
Simply superb. I’m nervous about writing too good a review in case every one rushes for this. But hopefully people will be deterred by the price!
That said this is a wonderful, balanced drink. Just Enough acidity to balance the wonderfully rich, deep chocolate body of this classic coffee. Not a single fault on the palate - clean, long finish and a depth of flavour that has converted me. I’ve tried mochas from Yemen before and usually been disappointed, but this Matarí blows them away.
After many yeas of quality coffee consumption, I have always found Yemeni Matari to be top of the list every time. It seems to be the standard against which all others are measured, in all respects. That's of course subjective but all I can say is that anyone to whom I've given this coffee has invariably been delighted by it.
Taste great. Rich and chocolate like taste. The roast was on the light side, so I finished roasting to french roast level and was worth it. This is not a blend which makes it even better .
Service from Coffee-Direct is exemplary.
This Yemeni Matari coffee is superb in a moka pot.
This is the most delicious coffee I have ever tasted.
The exquisite taste of soft fruit and chocolate gives this excellent coffee the most amazing aroma and fantastic flavour.
Thank you coffee-direct, Yemeni Matari is wonderful.
My order was delivered quickly and without fuss. The coffee itself is delightful. A moment of joy.
The best Yemeni coffee I've had so far.
This is the best coffee I've ever tasted
Some of the best coffee I’ve tasted.
Did not enjoy the weird taste of this coffee. Had a metallic aftertaste and would definitely not go for again.
Splendid coffee:great winey flavour, pleasant acidity, lacks bitterness. Shall order it regularly.
This is an absolutely fantastic coffee!
To me it’s a creamy texture coffee. Good flavour. I’m new in all this cafetière coffee making so will have to figure out what my favourites are.