Tasting Notes

Cola, Mango, Stone Fruits & Honey.

Roast Level

Process

Particulars

Elevation:	1,900 m
Variety:	Jadi
Process Type:	Anaerobic Natural
Producer:	Sheba Coffee

About this Specialty Coffee

In the historic highlands of Yemen, where coffee cultivation traces its ancient roots, Sheba Coffee stands as a bridge between tradition and modernity. The Espresso Lab's partnership with this exceptional producer represents our commitment to not just sourcing extraordinary coffee, but supporting the revival of Yemen's storied coffee heritage. Since its founding in 2019, Sheba Coffee has quickly emerged as a beacon of quality in the specialty coffee landscape, focusing primarily on Yemeni and Ethiopian varieties that bring distinctive character to our carefully curated selection.

What sets Sheba Coffee apart, and what resonates deeply with The Espresso Lab's ethos, is their comprehensive approach to coffee production. Working with a network of over 3,000 small, family-owned farms across Yemen's mountainous regions—many spanning less than 100 square meters—Sheba oversees every stage from cultivation to export. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each bean that reaches The Espresso Lab's roastery carries with it the authentic essence of Yemen's unique terroir, characterized by high altitudes, dry climate, and mineral-rich soils that impart incomparable complexity to their coffee.

The Espresso Lab values partnerships built on ethical foundations, and Sheba Coffee exemplifies this principle. Their commitment to fair compensation—paying farmers more than 300% above traditional trader prices—transforms coffee cultivation from mere subsistence farming to a sustainable livelihood. This approach, coupled with their collaborations with NGOs and international organizations, creates ripples of positive change throughout Yemen's coffee-growing communities, a vision The Espresso Lab proudly supports through our ongoing relationship.

With a global presence spanning the UK, China, UAE, Yemen, and Ethiopia, Sheba Coffee has developed into an international ambassador for Yemeni coffee excellence. The Espresso Lab celebrates this global perspective while appreciating the deeply local knowledge that informs Sheba's cultivation and processing methods. Their practiced hands guide each batch through traditional dry processing, allowing the natural sweetness and distinctive winey notes characteristic of Yemeni coffees to fully develop—qualities that The Espresso Lab's customers have come to cherish in every cup.

The journey from Yemen's ancient terraced farms to The Espresso Lab's carefully calibrated brewing equipment represents more than just a supply chain; it embodies a shared commitment to preserving coffee heritage while embracing innovations that enhance quality. As we continue our partnership with Sheba Coffee, The Espresso Lab remains dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary complexity and historical significance of Yemeni coffee, inviting our patrons to experience these rare and remarkable beans that connect us to coffee's very origins.