Yemeni Classic Malala Ismaeli
$ 32.00
- Our lightly roasted Yemeni Classic showcases a rotating selection of Yemen's best coffees.
- Get 2 oz sample
- We also offer this microlot as a Reserve Med & Dark
Malala Ismaeli: This microlot comes from the small Malala valley in the larger and famous Ismaeli coffee region. (annual production 3 - 5 tons)
From the coffee mill: "This small valley in the well-known Bani Ismail region offers a very unique Yemen coffee. One of the reasons for its uniqueness is the rarity of the predominate varietal in the Malala Valley. It is a sub-varietal of one of the traditional Yemen varieties but throughout the centuries it has adapted to the harsh land and climate of Bani Ismail - and currently it is cultivated exclusively in the Bani Ismail area. At Rayyan we love this coffee not just for its uniqueness and what it offers in the cup but also because we have been exporting Malala since our first year in operation! Annual production is three to five tons."
Veteran-owned small business 
Washington, DC S Stability Certified
- Our lightly roasted Yemeni Classic showcases a rotating selection of Yemen's best coffees.
- Get 2 oz sample
- We also offer this microlot as a Reserve Med & Dark
- Bright is my first reaction closely followed by this guy is packed with flavor. It's pleasing and feels honest.
- What a well structured coffee. There's a backbone of acidity a bit like a tart cherry; then there's a corrollary of what can only be described as tannins that you would find in a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Yemen is known for their "winey" coffees and this is the best example to discover this.
- This coffee lingers and keeps giving. The initial brightness has an unseen buttress of brown spice and leather notes. But you don't taste it; rather, if it wasn't there you would say something is missing. It's like good design: you don't see it so much as you perceive it.
Al-Wudiyan: This microlot comes from a large, remote valley in the Hajja Governorate. (annual production 15 tons)
From the coffee mill: "We began sourcing this lot from a very large, remote valley in the Hajja mountains this year. We have heard of this valley for two years now but it is quite difficult to access. This year one of the farmers from Al-Ghayoul whose wife is originally from this valley introduced us to their relatives who also farm coffee. Clearly we are just beginning our relationship with the communities in this valley but hope that one day they too will be open to new pruning, harvesting and drying methods. Given the size of the valley and the quality of the coffee throughout, we expect to see production of over 15 tons and hope to break this down into smaller lots in the future. It is the most balanced special lot we offer and we drink it often as a pourover at the mill."
NOTES on former Al-Ghayoul microlot:
Al Ghayoul: Classic citrus complemented by evergreen, tobacco, and nutmeg. This microlot comes from a small tribal community high in the mountains of Hajja (annual production 6 - 7 tons)
The tribesmen in this community are not keen on change but over the last three years our coffee supplier has earned their respect and trust by dealing with them fairly and honestly. The farmers receive upwards of $7/lb for their coffee, which reflects the quality and care of their work. Last year, a few farmers indicated they would like to implement pruning methods new to them as well as raised beds for drying. Your purchase supports this.
Heirloom coffee plants from old stock mean mean these beans are small but bursting with flavor"We buy Al-Ghayoul in dried cherry for $5.46-5.57 USD per Kg directly from the farmers who grow it. The exportable yield on it is around 35% which means that before we pay employees, bills or even the cost of bringing it from their mountain to the mill we are paying $15.60-15.91 USD per Kg to the farmers. While having this information does not make our coffees any less expensive, I think understanding the "why" of our pricing is helpful - especially as you market the coffees."
Related Items
Yemeni Medium
$ 19.95
Intriguing with a Unique Symphony of Citrus and Cocoa
- This is our Founder's favorite coffee.
- Get 2 oz sample
- These beans are grown in Yemen's mountainous west at 1500 - 2100 meters. A network of small holder producers meticulously grow and harvest this heirloom coffee by hand, and dry it in the sun. It is then carefully milled and packaged for export.
- Do you know the etymology of mocha? Why does it refer to a coffee and chocolate blend? Prior to the 20th century, mocha always referred to coffee from Yemen or at times to coffee in general. Then, at the turn of the 20th century, cake recipes combining mocha coffee with chocolate became popular. This baking combination gave birth to the café mocha of today.
- Splurge and upgrade to our Reserve Medium
Veteran-owned small business Washington, DC S Stability Certified
Yemeni Dark
$ 19.95
- The coffee preferred by our most loyal customers
- Get 2 oz sample
- These beans are grown in Yemen's mountainous west at 1500 - 2100 meters. A network of small holder producers meticulously grow and harvest this heirloom coffee by hand, and dry it in the sun. It is then carefully milled and packaged for export.
- Why do we call our coffee Mokha? Its named for Yemen's port city of Al Mokha (seen on left)
- In the 16th and 17th century Yemen produced 100% of the world's coffee. Merchants who exported the coffee referred to it as Mokha coffee for its port of origin.
- Splurge and upgrade to our Reserve Dark
Veteran-owned small business Washington, DC S Stability Certified
Yemeni Reserve Malala Ismaeli
$ 32.00
Our Top-Shelf Coffee roasted to an Indulgent Medium and Dark
- What happens when you take our Malala Ismaeli light, reserve coffee and ease the roast profile out longer and hotter? You get a medium and dark coffee where the natural Yemeni brightness is brighter and the boldness is bolder. If you're looking to treat yourself, look no further.
- Get 2 oz sample
Medium Roast: Much like the light roast this medium roast has bright citrus notes, orange peel, and tart cherry for a pleasing pucker. Layered on this are notes of toasted almond, much natural sweetness, and powdered cocoa in flavor and mouthfeel. As it cools, the tart cherry shines through brighter and the coffee keeps evolving with more to discover. Both the medium and light roast defy easy description, as the coffee has so many layers to unpack. It's like three different coffees playing harmony in one cup.
Dark Roast: As soon as the water hits the brew-bed you can smell instantly that this will be good. And then take one sip of it and intuition is confirmed--it's knock-your-socks-off delicious. The dark roast is powerful but not overpowering, smooth, spicy, balanced, and nearly lyrical. In fact, I got on the piano and determined it's a C, D, C chord. I recommend brewing this slightly stronger than normal. (Mine was 3% stronger with outstanding results. In my opinion, this is the best dark roast we've ever carried.)
Malala Ismaeli: This microlot comes from the small Malala valley in the larger and famous Ismaeli coffee region. (annual production 3 - 5 tons)
From the coffee mill: "This small valley in the well-known Bani Ismail region offers a very unique Yemen coffee. One of the reasons for its uniqueness is the rarity of the predominate varietal in the Malala Valley. It is a sub-varietal of one of the traditional Yemen varieties but throughout the centuries it has adapted to the harsh land and climate of Bani Ismail - and currently it is cultivated exclusively in the Bani Ismail area. At Rayyan we love this coffee not just for its uniqueness and what it offers in the cup but also because we have been exporting Malala since our first year in operation! Annual production is three to five tons."
Veteran-owned small business Washington, DC S Stability Certified
Notes on former Al Wudiyan Microlot:
Our Top-Shelf Coffee roasted to an Indulgent Medium and Dark
- What happens when you take our Al-Wudiyan light, reserve coffee and ease the roast profile out longer and hotter? You get a medium-blond and dark coffee that's unlike anything we've offered before. The natural Yemeni brightness is brighter and the boldness is bolder. If you're looking to treat yourself, look no further.
- Get 2 oz sample
- Medium Blond: It's that sweet spot between light and medium. In this roast we turned down the volume on the Al-Wudiyan to make a coffee that's exciting but more restrained. You take a sip and you feel the juicy yet dry & tannic structure spreading left and right across the tongue. There are all the classic Yemeni notes of citrus and fermented fruit, but with a more pronounced and pleasing acidity best described as tart cherry. It's not light, it's not medium. It defies convention.
- Dark: It's indulgent and bold but also warm and inviting. Its richness comes from a harmony of deep caramelized notes running the gamut from cocoa to cedar to slightly candied plum. This is a complex dark with much to discover. Obviously we love it.
Al-Wudiyan: This microlot comes from a large, remote valley in the Hajja Governorate. (annual production 15 tons)
From the coffee mill: "We began sourcing this lot from a very large, remote valley in the Hajja mountains this year. We have heard of this valley for two years now but it is quite difficult to access. This year one of the farmers from Al-Ghayoul whose wife is originally from this valley introduced us to their relatives who also farm coffee. Clearly we are just beginning our relationship with the communities in this valley but hope that one day they too will be open to new pruning, harvesting and drying methods. Given the size of the valley and the quality of the coffee throughout, we expect to see production of over 15 tons and hope to break this down into smaller lots in the future. It is the most balanced special lot we offer and we drink it often as a pourover at the mill."
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