Coffee Review: 97 Points for Yemen Haraaz Red Natural
We're ecstatic to announce that our Yemen Haraaz Red Mahal Aqeeq ul Station Natural, a Blue Label coffee roasted by head roaster Mike Mazulo, received 97 Points from Coffee Review!
Here’s how they described it:
“Lyrically sweet, stunningly deep, engagingly complex. Dried black cherry, black sage, wild honey sandalwood, honeysuckle in aroma and cup. Juicy-bright structure with malic (green-apple-like) acidity; luscious, satiny mouthfeel. Integrated, multi-layered, flavor-saturated finish.”
Achieving such an excellent cup of coffee was no small feat. Shabir Ezzi of Yemeni coffee exporter Al-Ezzi Industries began focusing on buying fresh, not dried, cherries directly from producers in partnership with Cafe Imports in the mid-2010s. This allowed them to control the drying process, drying the cherries evenly on raised beds instead of the traditional patios or rooftops.
Al-Ezzi's business differs from the traditional Yemeni coffee market as well by paying their farmers a higher base price for bringing their harvest to participating receiving stations. They are paid premiums for coffees that meet certain standards such as moisture content and quality selection. Fresh, ripe red cherries earn the farmer an additional premium over the traditional dried cherries, allowing Al-Ezzi to ensure quality before drying. The coffee farmers are issued ID cards, if they so choose, to keep track of deliveries and ensure payment. Each farmer's contributions are recorded so that coffees are traceable down to the individual.
Our very own Mike Mazulo took extreme care to develop a sweet, balanced roast profile that allows the coffee's inherent flavors and complexity to shine. The results are unmistakable. Here's Coffee Review's conclusion:
“A gorgeous stunner of a classic Yemen cup: fruit-laden, floral and sweetly herbaceous—a heady coffee, both aromatically and on the palate.”
Click the link below to grab your own bag of excellence!