Tag: Sanaa

Sara Al-Haj: “Samra Coffee”.. The Story of Coffee That Defeated War

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai – Ali Alzakary

In the midst of displacement and the search for self, Sara Al-Haj wasn’t just looking for a “project”; she was searching for a “footprint” to leave in this world. A daughter of Taiz whose life was tempered in Al-Hudaydah, she forged her destiny in Sana’a within a coffee “Jazwa.” Amidst the ashes of war, she crafted a future that no one believed in but herself.

  • “Samra”.. From a Faded Fashion Dream to the First Women-Led Brand

The story began long before coffee. In Al-Hudaydah, Sara dreamt of a traditional Abaya project named “Samra”, inspired by an old Lebanese series she used to watch, feeling the name mirrored her own authentic bronze features. However, the 2019 war shattered those dreams before they could see the light, forcing Sara to flee to Sana’a with a suitcase full of memories and a broken heart.

In Sana’a, amidst the void of displacement, she watched the music video “Al-Hob Wal-Bunn” (Love and Coffee) by artist Ahmed Seif. A spark ignited in her mind: “Why not enter the world of coffee?” Sara searched all over Yemen for a woman who had established an officially registered coffee brand, but she found none. It was then she decided to be the first Yemeni woman to break the male monopoly in this historic market, resurrecting “Samra Coffee“—but this time, through coffee beans.

  • The Logo.. A Yemeni Face Carrying Sara’s Message to the World

The “Samra” logo was never just a graphic design; Sara wanted the product to carry her soul and message. She collaborated with her designer (then living in Malaysia) to sketch a girl whose features and details embodied an authentic Yemeni woman, intertwined with traditional heritage.

Sara says, “Since I do not appear personally, I wanted the logo to speak for me and for the role of Yemeni women. I wanted the product, as it travels abroad, to convey an honourable image of girls in Yemen.” Today, this face has become the identity and the official seal for “Samra” in all its governmental and commercial dealings.

  • Starting with Daily Allowance and a Mother’s Kitchen

Sara started with a very modest capital—200,000 Yemeni rials—an amount she painstakingly saved from her personal allowance. In a small room in her family’s house, she turned her mother’s kitchen into a laboratory for four full years.

Lacking basic professional machinery, Sara roasted her coffee using a “Tefal pan” and a manual “spoon”, grinding it with a simple home grinder gifted by her mother. Since she couldn’t afford professional courses, she visited major merchants, carrying a small notebook and a pen, asking about every secret and documenting every detail. Those merchants nicknamed her “The Journalist” because of her immense thirst for knowledge.

That struggle was not in vain. Today, thanks to God, the “Samra” project has achieved the financial independence Sara always aspired to as a displaced girl, becoming the fruit of her labour that supports her and her family with pride.

  • The Battle of the “Jazwa” and the Woven Prophecy

Sara faced a war of bullying and frustration. Some specialists mocked her, saying, “You are a woman; what business do you have in the coffee market? You will surely fail.” Even when she chose to specialise in Turkish coffee prepared with the “Jazwa,” some accused her of choosing a method to hide the flaws of poor beans with cardamom. Sara responded defiantly: “Bad coffee remains bad, and good coffee asserts its presence no matter what you add to it.”

Sara drew strength from a “symbolic woven tapestry” handcrafted with threads, gifted by a mentor from outside Yemen who believed in her. It bore the symbols of Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certificates. She looked at it every day, promising herself that these symbols would one day become real certificates hanging on her wall of success. Today, that prophecy has come true; demand is no longer just local. “Samra” products have reached Arab and European markets, as well as the American and Asian markets, achieving a global reach that silences everyone who once tried to discourage her.

  • Loyalty to “The Small Room Companions”

Today, Sara is a coffee expert on her way to obtaining international accreditation in barista skills and sensory skills from the Speciality Coffee Association. She is working toward various international expertise certificates, including becoming a certified judge in global coffee championships.

Despite owning the finest professional machines today, she refuses to let go of her first simple tools (some of which her brother bought for $100). Sara says with deep emotion, “I used to stand before my old machines and talk to them as if they were human: you are the foundation. You endured with me four years of exhaustion, tears, and late nights in that cramped room. Today, I have wrapped you like a treasure, and I will never let you go.”

Having suffered greatly while searching for knowledge, Sara has not forgotten other aspirants. She understands the needs of everyone starting their own project and offers them all her knowledge and expertise. She believes it is a duty to provide knowledge-based support to all dreamers who are starting from their rooms, just as she did.

Sara Al-Haj is the story of a girl who didn’t wait for an opportunity but created it from a “Tefal pan.” She etched the features of her struggle onto every bag of coffee that leaves her laboratory, telling the world that Yemeni coffee is not just a product—it is the story of a human spirit that refuses to be broken.

Hind Shaia: The Entrepreneur Renewing the Heritage of Yemeni Coffee from the Heart of Sana’a

Posted on by Qahwa World

DUBAI – ALI ALZAKARY

From the ancient streets of Sana’a, where tradition meets modern ambition, comes the story of Hind Shaia, a pioneering entrepreneur and content creator. Her project, “Nawah,” is more than just a café; it is a tribute to Yemen’s rich heritage and a bridge to the global specialty coffee market. By blending historical authenticity with international quality standards, Hind is proving that Yemeni coffee remains a world-class treasure. We invite you to explore this inspiring journey through our exclusive interview, where we discuss the future of the industry and the role of women in shaping its success.

  • Hind, when did your journey with Yemeni coffee begin, and what first drew you to it?

I wasn’t originally a coffee enthusiast. In 2015, my journey began out of a need for focus and energy during work and studies. Over time, this search turned into a real passion. By 2016, I began to dive deeper into the world of coffee and started drinking it regularly. Whenever I traveled, I made sure to visit specialty cafes and explore crops from different nations. However, Yemeni coffee remained the standard I used for comparison. I discovered that its character was truly different; its flavors are complex and deep, providing a balanced focus without anxiety.

  • How did you decide to establish “Nawah” and share Yemeni coffee with the world?

The decision matured in stages. The idea began as a dream in 2021, but I hesitated due to job security. However, my confidence in Yemeni coffee’s potential pushed me to invest. In 2024, my husband and I launched Nawah as an online store to raise awareness about specialty coffee. In early 2026, the dream became a reality with the opening of Nawah Café in Sana’a, a space that offers a modern and sophisticated image of our coffee.

  • Coffee in Yemen is more than just a drink; how would you describe its role in daily culture?

It is a part of our identity and history. From the mountain terraces and the port of Al-Makha, this drink reached the world. In our culture, every part of the fruit is used—from “Qishr” to roasted coffee. While its status declined slightly as tea became a cheaper alternative, there is a “return of awareness” today, especially among the youth who care about quality and history.

  • Yemeni coffee has a global reputation; what do you think makes it so special?

The uniqueness comes from a mix of land, people, and history. Yemen produces high-quality Arabica. The geography is crucial, as coffee grows at high altitudes between 1,800 and 2,400 meters. This slow ripening process highlights natural sweetness and complex flavors, offering notes of fruit, chocolate, and spices.

  • How has the coffee industry in Yemen changed recently? Are there new modern touches?

The industry now combines tradition with modern standards. Farmers still pick cherries by hand, but new processing methods have been introduced, such as using raised drying beds and modern machinery for sorting by size and color. Despite this, the human touch remains vital in final hand-sorting to ensure quality.

  • How do you see the relationship between traditional farmers and the specialty coffee industry?

It is a partnership. The farmer is the “guardian of the treasure.” Our role is to bridge the gap between the farm and the cup by introducing modern processing knowledge. When a farmer sees that attention to detail doubles the crop’s price, they become a partner in quality, ensuring sustainability and fair returns.

Hind Shaia and the Story of Yemeni Coffee at Nawah Café

  • How do you see the future of Yemeni coffee in local and global markets?

Our role is “excellence and rarity,” not mass production. We don’t compete in volume but in exceptional quality. Yemeni coffee is repositioning itself as a luxury product for connoisseurs. Globally, our historical legacy is a powerful marketing tool for specialty coffee.

  • What are the main opportunities to expand the presence of Yemeni coffee abroad?

First, telling the “story,” as the world buys an experience. Second, e-commerce, which facilitates direct access to global roasters. Third, participating in international exhibitions to reach the market that appreciates the true value of Yemeni coffee.

  • What is the role of women in the coffee industry today, especially in Yemen?

Their role is fundamental. Women are present from planting to the final cup. In rural areas, they participate in picking and sorting. Today, this role has evolved into leadership; we see Yemeni women certified as experts in tasting (SCA) and running their own export companies.

  • As a café owner in Sana’a, what were the biggest challenges you faced?

The biggest challenge is the general economic situation and limited purchasing power. We received many warnings about the timing, but our faith in quality was our driver. There are also logistical challenges in transporting coffee from rugged mountains and importing equipment.

  • What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in management and quality?

The first lesson is that consistency is the real challenge; maintaining standards daily is harder than just opening. Second, customers buy an experience. At Nawah, we educate visitors about the coffee’s story so they become ambassadors for Yemeni coffee.

  • Despite the current situation, how do you see the future of exporting Yemeni coffee?

While we cannot deny the export difficulties and restrictions, the spirit of trade is in our blood. We find solutions to overcome obstacles. We still export Yemeni coffee worldwide, and the supply chain remains resilient due to the determination of those in the sector.

Elaf Mustafa’s Artistic Journey through Yemeni Coffee Heritage

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai  – Ali Alzakary

In the enchanting realms of Sanaa and Haraz, the life of Elaf Mustafa unfolds among the layers of Yemen’s rich soil. As a connoisseur of language, literature, art, and coffee, Elaf embarked on an academic path in translation and linguistics, finding herself guided by the intertwined forces of art, language, and the world of coffee.

Her connection to coffee is not a recent one; it is deeply rooted in her family’s history of cultivating and trading coffee beans. The fertile lands in Haraz, adorned with ancient coffee trees, tell stories that traverse generations, weaving a fabric of identity and knowledge.

Elaf’s journey, branching into diverse paths, testifies to the resilience imprinted in her experiences. Whether facing challenges through books, art, or embracing comforting coffee, she always designs alternative plans to navigate the ever-changing currents of life. And there is Sanaa, the captivating city that, despite challenges, never fails to inspire resilience.

In this interview, Elaf Mustafa explores her fascinating life, delving into the intersection of her academic pursuits, family heritage in coffee cultivation, and the profound impact of history on her journey as an artist. From her initial encounters with written words to the rich inspiration drawn from her family’s coffee heritage, Elaf paints a vivid picture of her evolution as an artist, revealing the symbiotic relationship between the brush and the coffee tree.

Join us as we uncover the layers of Elaf’s artistic narrative, where each stroke on the canvas echoes the stories of her ancestors and the enduring spirit of Yemeni coffee.

Who is Elaf Mustafa?

“I have lived my life between the lands of Sanaa and Haraz, and both have a vast space in my soul. I love everything related to language, literature, art, and coffee. Despite my passion for painting, which has accompanied me for years, I specialized academically in translation and linguistics. Today, I see that both art and language have led me to the path of coffee.

My affiliation with coffee is not a recent thing. My family has a deep history in the cultivation and trade of coffee. We own several farms in our hometown, Haraz, including farms that contained, and still are to this day, coffee trees that have lived for a decade, and through which ancestral stories, ancient knowledge and identity have been transmitted.

Between today and the past, I feel that I have branched out a lot. However, it’s worth mentioning that what I and my generation experienced in previous periods has shaped us in a way that one lifetime is not enough. We learned how to appreciate life, and in every instance when challenges prevailed, we had to devise alternative plans to navigate through the constantly changing waves of life. And there is Sanaa, the enchanting city that never lets us fall without inspiring us to rise, no matter how deep the trenches.”

How did your journey with coffee begin, and how were you influenced by the history and heritage of your family in coffee cultivation?

“My father had a library that contained many of history books, including those talking about ancient and contemporary civilizations. Thanks to his continuous encouragement for reading, I read many of them starting from the age of ten. I found that Yemen has a rich history that cannot be covered by volumes or thousands of books. But through my readings, I found that coffee created a beacon of light in this journey, through various stations. It connected with Yemenis through ages as a window and light. It’s noteworthy that it has been and still is creating and telling stories, and, in turn, I love stories very much.

I was greatly influenced by the fascinating link created by coffee trees. My grandmother, Hassana Ismail, preserved many stories for me about its importance in society, how it was cultivated, and the rituals of harvesting back then. She mentioned in one of the stories that at the beginning of the harvest, she and her mother would go to the farm. She would pick a few coffee beans in her hands and exchange them for other goods, a unique privilege that only coffee had. Many stories, all of which instilled in me love and pride for this tree, continually drive me to reflect its impact in paintings, even if only a little is revealed.”

How can coffee transform from a beverage into an identity and history, and how do you seek to convey this idea through your artistic works?

“In reality, coffee beans can never be confined to the word ‘beverage.’ They overflow from their cup, and they have many dimensions.

From the port of Mokha, this fruit witnessed civilizations, eras, and kingdoms. It created many contradictions as people doubted and clung to it, hiding it in a jar for decades as one of the most precious treasures. We see throughout history how wars were waged for it, and other wars were extinguished because of it.

When we witness today how our ancestors spent their lives preserving it despite the difficulties that mostly bent their backs, the picture becomes clear. This is precisely why I painted my latest piece titled ‘Descendants of the Sun’ for Hajjah Fatima, one of the coffee farmers in Mahwit, as a loud sign for the Yemeni coffee revolution in every era. She reached the age of eighty and still holds onto her beans, so it became imperative for me to immortalize her story within the folds of a painting.

How can art contribute to raising awareness of the importance of Yemeni coffee and its history in local and global communities?

“Since ancient times until today, art has been the main factor in conveying and preserving civilizations. For me, I see art alongside the history of coffee as an ancient window adorned with the colors of Yemeni lunar, each time portraying a scene that must be immortalized. So, I see them narrating their stories through my window, not the other way around. We truly see how the importance of this thing has imposed its reality on societies, whether local or international.”

 

How do you envision the future of the coffee industry in Yemen, and what role can art play in supporting it and shedding light on its heritage?

“The previous periods were challenging for Yemeni coffee, as its production significantly declined due to economic difficulties and environmental degradation. But today, we are living in an era of revival like never before. All sectors are working at full capacity to elevate it to stages surpassing its predecessors, starting from the land and supporting farmers by all means, up to roasting and presenting it. From our perspective today, I see a promising future waiting.

As for art, it is the constant companion to these beans and their land, embracing its roots tightly to preserve them from oblivion. They will always tell stories together.”