The Mocha History
WHO WE ARE
Know About Us
While coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia, it was Yemen in the 15th century where coffee cultivation, processing, and trade truly flourished.
The famed Mocha beans, named after the historic Yemeni port of Mocha (Al-Makha), are grown in high-altitude mountain regions with fertile soil and cooler climates. These ideal conditions allow the coffee cherries to mature slowly, resulting in beans with exceptional flavour complexity of vibrant acidity, deep, chocolatey undertones, and a smooth, full-bodied finish.
Interestingly, the modern café mocha—a coffee infused with chocolate, is believed to have originated as an attempt to recreate these naturally rich, chocolatey flavour of these iconic Yemeni Beans.
Yemen holds a special place in the global coffee story. By the mid-15th century, Sufi monks in the Yemeni city of Mokha were already using coffee to aid in their spiritual rituals, appreciating its stimulating effects during long nights of prayer. From there, coffee spread across the Arabian Peninsula, becoming a cultural staple in cities like Mecca, Cairo, and Constantinople.
THE MOCHA LAB
History
By the 16th century, Yemen had become the world’s first center of commercial coffee cultivation. Unlike Ethiopia, where coffee grew wild, Yemen was the first to systematically farm and export coffee. The Port of Mocha (Al-Makha) became the global gateway for coffee trade, and for over two centuries, all coffee exported to Europe and Asia passed through this legendary port.
At The Mocha Lab, we honour this remarkable legacy by offering only single-origin Yemeni beans—cultivated, harvested, and processed using traditional methods that have changed little over the centuries. These beans come from remote, terraced farms that rely on rainfall and manual labour, preserving a heritage that is increasingly rare in today’s globalized coffee market.
For discerning coffee lovers in Japan, Yemeni mocha offers more than flavour—it offers a historical connection to the roots of global coffee culture. Every sip is a step back into a world where coffee was not just a beverage, but a ritual, a livelihood, and a symbol of connection between East and West.
Haraz Region:
The Jewel of Yemeni Coffee
Nestled at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters, the Haraz region boasts fertile volcanic soil and cooler temperatures, which slow the maturation of coffee cherries, contributing to a more nuanced and balanced cup with higher acidity, deep flavours, and a smoother body. These qualities make Haraz Mocha beans the most sought-after in Yemen, captivating coffee lovers with their distinct and unforgettable flavour notes.
What makes Haraz truly exceptional is not just its elevation or climate, but its deep-rooted agricultural heritage. This mountainous region, located west of the capital Sana’a, has been cultivating coffee for centuries, using ancient terrace farming methods that date back over 1,000 years. The narrow stone terraces, carved into steep hillsides, conserve soil and water, allowing coffee to thrive in conditions that would otherwise be too harsh.
Most of the coffee in Haraz is grown organically, without synthetic inputs, and harvested by hand by smallholder farmers who often pass down their craft through generations. These farmers use traditional sun-drying techniques, allowing the cherries to slowly ferment in the open air—developing rich, wine-like characteristics and a depth of flavour that modern, industrial processes often erase.
In recent years, Haraz has become synonymous with premium Yemeni coffee, recognized by global specialty coffee experts and auction platforms for its complex flavour profiles—often showing notes of dried fruit, cocoa, florals, and spice. Each lot is traceable back to individual villages or even families, adding a unique human story behind every batch.
At The Mocha Lab, our Haraz beans are more than just an ingredient—they are a direct connection to the land, people, and traditions that gave birth to the world’s first coffee culture. We invite you to experience this extraordinary origin, one cup at a time.
ABOUT US
Journey to the Mocha Lab
Growing up in Yemen, I often heard stories of our country’s past glories as a global leader in the coffee trade. However, it wasn’t until I spent over 15 years away, unable to return due to the country’s ongoing struggles with civil and regional wars, that I truly discovered the magic of Yemen’s real Mocha beans.
During a visit with my uncle, I had my first taste of these extraordinary beans. I instantly fell in love with their rich taste and unique flavour. As we experimented with different brewing methods, each cup became more exciting, unveiling new layers of complexity. This experience ignited my passion for coffee and deepened my connection to my homeland.
Driven by this newfound enthusiasm, I felt compelled to share Yemen’s unique and rare coffee beans with the world.
Here at The Mocha Lab, besides us serving you a delightful cup of coffee, we’ve created a space for coffee lovers to embark on their own journey. Our dedicated brew station invites customers to experiment with brewing methods, helping them find their perfect cup while discovering the artistry of coffee, just as I did.
We warmly invite you to visit us in Ropponmatsu, where you can Savor our delicious coffee in a relaxing and welcoming environment.
At The Mocha Lab, we proudly offer a variety of Yemeni Mocha beans, straight from the birthplace of Mocha. We’re passionate about sharing our coffee love story through every brewed cup. Believing that everyone has their own unique taste, we provide a brew station where you can experiment with different brewing methods to find your perfect cup.