The Coffee Belt
Most of the world's coffee comes from the "Coffee Belt" - the equatorial belt between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This region is home to three major players in the coffee game: Latin America, Asia/Pacific, and Africa. What makes them so unique? They offer the perfect trifecta for thriving coffee trees: nutrient-rich soil, optimal climate, and the right attitude.
The science and geography of it say that - A coffee cherry is only as good as the conditions it's grown in. The soil, location, climate, and cultivation techniques culminate in producing the perfect cup. Speaking of terroir - just like wine, it can make or break the taste of your brew. What's the soil like? How much sunshine and rain does it get? These factors shape the character of coffee in a particular region. This is precisely what makes MOKAFÉ so special.
Did you know that volcanoes are the secret ingredient for some of the best brews out there? It's all in the soil! Volcanic soils, also known as Andisols, are rich in nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, making them a perfect home for coffee plants to flourish. Plus, the soil's light and fluffy texture allows for optimal drainage. But wait, there's more! Volcanoes also provide shade and create high-altitude microclimates that help coffee cherries ripen slowly and develop their unique flavors. So, next time you're sipping on a delicious cup of MOKAFÉ Guatemala coffee, don't forget to raise toast those mighty volcanoes!
Our Coffee
Yemen Coffee
Let's take a journey to the land of the Marib Dam and the birthplace of Arabica coffee: Yemen. The country's national emblem showcases the significance of coffee to Yemeni culture and for good reason. Sufis discovered red coffee berries in the country's mountain highlands in the 15th century, and the world has been hooked on Yemeni coffee ever since.
What makes Yemeni coffee so unique? It's all in the growing conditions. Yemen's high altitudes and rocky, volcanic soil create the perfect environment for cultivating some of the world's most exotic and pungent coffee flavors. The coffee plants thrive in dry weather conditions with minimal rainfall in select mountainous regions, allowing the beans to develop their distinctive spicy and earthy flavor profiles.
But Yemeni coffee is more than just a delicious brew - it's a cultural touchstone for the Yemeni people. Many of the country's coffee farms are small, family-owned businesses passed down for generations. Yemeni coffee production also relies heavily on traditional harvesting and processing techniques, such as hand-picking and sun-drying the beans, which have been used for centuries. So, let's raise a cup of our MOKAFÉ Yemeni coffee to its rich history, unique flavors, and hardworking farmers who continue cultivating this beloved crop despite the odds faced by them!
Amazed by that animating whiff of our Guatemalan coffee beans? This tiny Central American country is creating waves when it comes to producing unique and robust coffee. With a full body and tasting notes of cocoa and a toffee-like sweetness, it's no wonder that Guatemalan coffee is recognized worldwide for its quality.
In fact, Guatemala was the first country to establish a denomination of origin system to showcase its eight unique coffee-producing regions. Since the 1850s, coffee has been a significant export for Guatemala, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy each year and providing employment for over 125,000 Guatemalan families. It's no wonder that in 2018, coffee production was officially named "An Intangible Heritage of the Guatemalan nation.
With eight different coffee regions, Guatemala boasts an incredibly diverse range of microclimates that help small farmers produce some of the best beans in the world. Whether it's the sunny slopes of Antigua or the shady Acatenango Valley, each region has its intricacies that make its coffee special. All thanks to the rich volcanic soil and high-altitude terrain that gives these beans their distinct flavor notes of chocolate and spice. So, let's raise a mug for biodiversity and the hardworking farmers who make our morning brews so darn delicious!