FLAVOUR PROFILE

Plum, Jammy Berry, Purple Floral, Dates & Fig, Lime, Maple Syrup

Fatima Al-Gharab XI

In Wadi Jannat, within the fertile hills of Badan, the life and legacy of Fatima Al-Gharab remain part of local memory. Fatima lived for a century, and across those years her days were defined by the work of coffee. From her youth, she undertook every task herself: planting seedlings, tending the terraces, harvesting, sorting, and drying. Her trees, including Udaini and Tuffahi types, were sustained by mountain rains and spring water, producing steady harvests year after year.

Even in later life, when she no longer walked the terraces, Fatima remained the guiding force of her farm. From her home she prepared compost, directed the work, and ensured that every stage was carried out with precision by younger members of the community who followed her instructions. Her farm was modest in scale, yet it supported her six children and became a symbol of continuity and resilience.

This year’s lot, grown from DNA-verified SL34 and processed through Qima’s Alchemy method, reflects both her heritage and the distinct conditions of Wadi Jannat. At 1,900 metres above sea level, the terroir imparts clarity and structure, while the Alchemy fermentation protocol layers depth onto its natural profile. The cup is marked by notes of plum, jammy berry, purple florals, dates and fig, lifted by lime brightness and maple syrup sweetness.

Fatima’s influence endures not only in her family but in the farming culture of Wadi Jannat. Her authority, knowledge, and lifelong dedication to coffee set a standard that others in the community continue to follow. Her story mirrors that of Ibb itself, a province long shaped by agriculture and recognised as Yemen’s most fertile. From the terraced slopes of Badan to the historic centres of Ibb and Jiblah, where Queen Arwa once placed farming at the heart of her kingdom, Fatima’s legacy belongs to a lineage of custodians who have sustained Yemen’s agricultural heritage for centuries.