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best of yemen 2022 results

1.

Muhammad Zidan

Jury code : 1425


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jury score :

90.20


Genetics :

Yemenia

Process :

Natural

lot size :

37.00LBS


traceability

VILLAGE :Bani Ofair

REGION : Ans

GOVERNORATE : Dhamar

ALTITUDE :1800-2000masl

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FLAVOUR PROFILE

Floral, Plum, Blueberry, Jasmine, Vanilla Cream


Story Behind the Coffee
<p>Muhammad Zidan is 60 years old, and hails from Bani Ofair in the Ans region of Dhamar.</p><p><br></p><p>Farming was his family occupation. He saw his grandfather, and his father and brothers after him, take over the profession. Naturally, everything Zidan knows about coffee cultivation came to him as heirloom from his elders. He reminisces about the days when agriculture was a profitable and loveable profession, and brings that enthusiasm to his work regularly.</p><p><br></p><p>“We oversee this place, and actively encourage our community members to plant coffee trees.”&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>To Zidan, today’s challenges, including opaqueness with suppliers, lack of capital flow and reliable public infrastructure – like roads and drainage systems – are hard systemic issues to solve.</p><p><br></p><p>“The rain this year was heavy and torrential. The roads were cut off or closed. In such moments, we cannot transport foodstuffs by cars or animals, so we have to carry them ourselves on our backs.”</p><p><br></p><p>The financial problems closer home hit harder. “The return is very low these days. We are unable to reinvest what we get even to source materials. The prices offered for our coffee are very low. Farming is a very intensive job, but what we’re currently getting is nowhere close to the effort we are putting in. We want the companies to be honest with us, raise prices for us, and build an honest relationship between us.”</p><p><br></p><p>Zidan’s deep love and diligent care for his coffee crops is infectious. Upon further questioning, he smiles. “No matter what happens, I will not lose hope or get lazy with work. We do need the money because it motivates and incentivises everyone to work, and adds to the excitement. But that said, we will persevere at our end to increase coffee production on our farms. I want to perform the Pilgrimage, and save enough to get my children married.”</p><p>In conclusion, Zidan advises his fellow farmers to ensure they are following the correct methods in cultivation throughout – pre-harvest to post-harvest. He especially mentions removing damaged coffee trees to avoid the risk of spoiling the crops. “We only have coffee, so take care of it”.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>For the customers receiving his beans, he adds, “We do not use any harmful fertilizers; our coffee is pure and natural. The coffee we grow has been taken care of every step of the way. It is a labour of love”.</p><p><br></p>
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Genetics

Yemenia

Yemenia is a new mother population within the species of Coffea arabica that is found exclusively in Yemen, and represents an ocean of unexplored genetics and future varieties that have the potential to reshape the world of arabica for centuries to come.

Read the Scientific paper here. 

The discovery of Yemenia was part of Qima Coffee’s R&D programme with Dr Christophe Montagnon, the aim of which was to map out Yemen's coffee genetic landscape. Qima conducted the largest genetic survey in Yemen's history, covering an area of over 25,000 sq km.

Through rigorous research in coffee genetics, we discovered that there exists a mother population of Coffea arabica that never left Yemen, and remains native to the land till date: Yemenia – meaning Yemeni mother in Arabic. 

Yemen’s coffee land has a rough climate, displaying both high and low temperatures in the extreme range of coffee growing areas worldwide, together with one of the lowest global rainfall levels. There is no doubt that this environment has favoured resilient landraces, not only between the 1400s (coffee first introduced to Yemen) and 1700s (when today’s main worldwide coffee varieties were taken out of Yemen), but also during the last 300 years of coffee cultivation and propagation. The unveiling of Yemenia, which has not been observed anywhere else in the world so far, opens the gate to previously uncharted genetic diversity within C. arabica in general, and Yemeni coffee in particular. Further research is ongoing to determine and identify potential varieties within Yemenia group.  

Process

Natural

Natural process is a time-honored coffee processing method that results in extraordinary depth and complexity of flavour. The process requires meticulous management throughout to result in flavour clarity.

After selective harvesting, Qima's on-ground team promptly collects the cherries at the farm gate and transports them to our in-house drying facilities. The cherries are then placed on raised parabolic drying beds, where they are left to dry until the insides have reached the optimal moisture level. This can take between 15 to 25 days. The cherries are turned periodically during drying to avoid over fermentation. Moisture, density and BRIX levels are closely monitored to ensure uniformity and quality. 

TRACEABILITY

Bani Ofair

Bani Ofair is a village in the Ans region of Yemen. It has rugged yet lush terrain. Due to its remote location, there are few roads leading to and from Bani Ofair. The village is fairly cut-off from the others, with limited infrastructure. 

Ans

Ans is a region within the governorate of Dhamar. Coffee farming is widespread in the region and many families rely on it completely financially. There are around 60 farming families here growing coffee, corn, potatoes and qat. This region has been growing and cultivating various types of crops for over 7,000 years. There is a shortage of water in the region which impacts farmers and their families. It is often the women and children who must source the clean water, either bringing it back in barrels or using animals to help share the load. 

Dhamar

Dhamar, Yemen's historic governorate, lies between Sana'a and Taiz. It boasts ancient civilizations dating back to 6,000 BC, with remarkable archaeological sites. Agriculture thrives here, with coffee being a standout crop. Renowned for its exceptional taste, Dhamar's coffee is grown in regions like Ans, Bani Fadhl, Magrib Ans, Automa, and Jabal Ash Sharq, benefiting from the diverse topography of plains and mountains.


10:00AM BST  - LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

2:00AM PDT  - LA, USA

5:00AM EDT   - NY, USA

11:00AM CEST - AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

12:00PM AST   - RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

1:00PM GST   - DUBAI, UAE

Auction 2023
AUGUST 8


best of yemen 2022 results

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