Al-mahwit

Al-Mahwit, located in central-west Yemen near the dramatic coastal escarpments, is a traditional yet increasingly recognized coffee-growing region characterized by its rugged terrain and long-established terraced agriculture. Farms stretch across narrow valleys and steep hillsides at elevations of 1,500 to 2,200 meters, where moderate moisture levels—more than in the arid northern highlands—help support steady cherry development despite the region’s challenging topography. These terraced landscapes, maintained for centuries, reflect deep-rooted farming traditions that rely on careful water management, selective handpicking, and sun-drying on rooftops or raised platforms.

Coffees from Al-Mahwit often exhibit a distinctive flavour profile marked by dried fruit sweetness, warm spice, and cocoa-like depth, balanced by medium acidity. While production volumes remain relatively small compared to famous regions like Haraz or Bani Matar, Al-Mahwit is gaining increasing attention in the specialty market as exporters establish traceable micro-lots and invest in improved post-harvest practices. With its unique combination of moderate humidity, heritage varieties, and artisanal processing methods, Al-Mahwit stands out as a rising source of nuanced and high-quality Yemeni coffee.