Bani Matar

Bani Matar—often known internationally as Matari or Mattari—is one of Yemen’s classic and historically celebrated coffee origins. Located west of Sana’a at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,200 meters, the region is characterized by rugged, terraced mountainsides and dark volcanic rock soils that impart depth and intensity to the coffee’s flavor. Like much of Yemen’s highlands, Bani Matar experiences a dry climate with minimal rainfall, forcing coffee trees to adapt to harsh growing conditions that naturally enhance sugar concentration and cup complexity.

Farmers cultivate traditional Mattari-type landraces, ancient varieties that have evolved over centuries in this isolated environment. These coffees are typically grown on small family terraces using low-input, organic, dry-land farming methods. Post-harvest processing is still predominantly natural, with cherries dried on rooftops or stone patios, though recent quality initiatives have helped improve sorting and drying consistency.

The resulting cup profile is bold, layered, and unmistakably Yemeni: rich chocolate and cocoa notes, warm spice tones, winey acidity, a heavy, syrupy body, and deep, lingering sweetness. Bani Matar coffees have long held a prominent place in the global coffee trade, valued for their dense, traditional flavor character and their ability to deliver a powerful, full-bodied cup. Today, the region continues to stand as one of Yemen’s most iconic origins, producing coffees that represent the classic essence of Yemeni terroir.