Yemen Matari Coffee
Dried cherry, cacao and cinnamon from the high terraces of Bani Matar, near the Yemeni capital.
Matari is coffee from Bani Matar, a mountain district in Yemen's Sana'a Governorate. It is dried whole in the sun, which gives it dense dried-fruit sweetness, warm spice and a long, wine-like finish.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 80 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 33.3 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
| Brewing method | French Press |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 14.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Medium-fine |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 2:45-4:00 depending on method |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 14.4 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- French press
- Burr grinder
- Kettle
- Scale
- Timer
- Long spoon for the crust
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Pre-heat the press, then add 14.4 g ground medium-fine.
- 0:00Pour 240 g of water at 93°C in one go and start the timer. Fit the lid without plunging.
- 3:23Break the crust with a spoon and skim off the foam and floating grounds.
- 3:23Press slowly — if it resists, stop pressing rather than forcing it.
- 3:28Decant every drop immediately into a warmed vessel. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting.
What it may be good for
A cup with a clear caffeine number
We list about 80 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A slow, heavy-bodied cup
A French press leaves the coffee's oils in the cup, which gives a fuller, heavier body than a paper filter. It suits a coffee this dense.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
Matari is coffee from Bani Matar, a mountain district in Yemen's Sana'a Governorate. It is dried whole in the sun, which gives it dense dried-fruit sweetness, warm spice and a long, wine-like finish.
Origin & Story
Matari, properly Bani Matar, is a district of the Sana'a Governorate, in the mountains close to Yemen's capital. The farms hang on steep terraces at roughly 1,500 to 2,000 meters, where coffee grows among other mountain crops and the thin, cool air slows the ripening of the cherries. Many of the terraces were built over a thousand years ago from dry stone and are among the oldest farmland in the world, still worked today.
Yemeni coffee is almost all made by the oldest method there is. Ripe cherries are picked by hand and dried whole in the sun, often spread on straw mats on the roofs of village houses. The trees are old local varieties, said to be among the genetically oldest Arabica in the world, with names such as Udaini, Dawairi and Tufahi.
Inside Yemen, the husk matters as much as the bean. Qishr is a traditional hot drink made from spiced coffee husks, ginger and sometimes cinnamon, and it is popular partly because it needs no roasting.
The cup is dense and sweet: dried cherry and cacao, a warm cinnamon spice, and a tobacco-leaf note that comes with the natural drying. A French press suits its heavy body, and it rewards a slow cup.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 84/100 |
| Acidity | 78/100 |
| Bitterness | 34/100 |
| Body | 74/100 |
| Aroma | 94/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Yemen Matari Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 80 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Yemen Matari Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Yemen Matari Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 2:45-4:00 depending on method. Method: French Press. Ratio: 60g coffee per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Medium-fine.
What is qishr?
Qishr is a traditional Yemeni hot drink made from spiced coffee husks with ginger and sometimes cinnamon. Because the husks are only dried, it needs no roasting. It is a different drink from coffee, made from the part of the cherry that is usually thrown away.
Why does Yemeni coffee taste like dried fruit and spice?
Yemeni coffee is dried whole, with the fruit on, so sugars and aromas from the cherry soak into the bean, which gives dried-fruit and wine-like notes. The spice and tobacco notes come with the old local varieties and the altitude. They are part of the character and nothing is added.
Who should avoid Yemen Matari Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Bodum Chambord French Press
In this recipe: French press
Affiliate link: CupCura may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested this product ourselves. Disclosure
Drinks like this one
Yemen Isma’ili Coffee
Cherry, dates and clove from Bani Ismail, high in the stone-terraced Haraz mountains.
Specialty CoffeeYemen Ancient Harazi Mocha Coffee
Dark chocolate, winey blueberry and cardamom from the terraced Haraz mountains behind the old port of Mocha.
Specialty CoffeeCaffè Mocha
Espresso, chocolate and steamed milk: where coffee meets cocoa.
Specialty CoffeeColombian Bourbon Sidra Coffee
Mango, cacao and lime from Sidra grown around Pitalito, in southern Huila.