Qima Coffee

Let’s talk about the coffee culture in Yemen 👇🏻 #Coffee is a daily morning drink for most Yemenis, who would either take it with breakfast – typically bread with some protein – or a handful of dates. One can find coffee at spice shops: from unroasted whole beans to light-medium roasted coffee ground finely to a powder-like consistency. This also indicates the flexibility Yemenis have with their coffee preference. Some people choose to #roast whole beans at home in a flat pan (in the cities) or clay pans (in the villages) atop a stove. The #roasting process is fairly simple yet distinct to #Yemen versus the larger #Arabic preference: green #coffeebeans are stirred constantly till they exude some oil and reach a desired colour, mainly in the light-medium category. Go beyond the first crack, then put the coffee aside to grind it with cardamom. For those who don’t wish to go through this process, there is always store-bought ground coffee! The Ibrik method is the most popular and accessible for brewing a light drink; lightly roasted ground coffee is boiled in a lot of water. If it is stronger, the coffee may be consumed with milk and sugar. The widespread consumption of ‘Qishr’ or cascara, the coffee husk is fascinating. Yemeni, as people, have preferred to use the cascara as opposed to discarding it or repurposing it as #biofuel. And if coffee is their morning necessity, then qishr is the beautiful, hospitable drink that commemorates occasions, both happy and sombre. Similar to coffee, qishr also retails at spice shops but is almost always grounded, and spiced with a mix heavy on cardamom. Families and individuals tends to have their own recipes and preferences and they often customise their qishr mixes per taste. One can also find slivers of almonds or sesame seeds in some packets! In the grander scheme of things, as #specialtycoffee picks up pace in the Middle East, more #cafes erupt on the scene to celebrate the origin’s fantastic produce. One finds the specialty cafes within the bigger cities of Yemen conforming to this trend. Things are looking up for the industry and the nation that gifted formalised #coffeecultivation to the world.

Muhammad-Ali Musani is a Business Development Associate at Qima Coffee and oversees the EU and the UK geographies, amongst others. He’s the familiar Qima face you must have spotted at many of our trade show presences. Swipe to read excerpts from our chat with him >>> Starting from a ‘smooth’ mocha, things quickly escalated to a turquoise V60. Soon after a few ‘wow’ cups, the young Muhammad-Ali began his journey as a #coffee geek. “A Costa Rican Natural in a cortado that tasted like Turkish Delight pulled me into the #specialtycoffee rabbit hole. Some memorable cups include a naturally processed Ethiopian filter brew and a Honduran #Geisha at a cupping. I also fondly remember the Kenyan filter roast espressos that got me hooked on #espresso during my barista training: Giki Gitiri and Kagwanja, which were tropical juice and blackcurrant bombs respectively!" A tide was around the corner that would turn Muhammad-Ali from a coffee geek to a coffee professional. "It came through a talk Faris gave in March 2022. I was deeply moved by the rawness of Qima’s work at the grassroots -- excellent, and genuine; the kind of hard work that makes incremental, consistent dents in the industry. Now that I’m answering these questions as part of the Qima Team, I guess this was the fateful specialty encounter that made me go WOW!" A typical day in Muhammad-Ali’s role is dynamic. “My work spans pockets; you can find me coordinating with our origin teams in Yemen, Colombia and Ecuador, as well as the #businessdevelopment teams on sourcing needs and updates. Then, it’s following up with our partners, reaching out to new ones, and checking in with #logistics to ensure everything is on schedule. Before all of this though, I try to brew up something tasty for the office, and then it’s sipping and brewing throughout the day!” Muhammad-Ali is based between London, UK and Amman, Jordan. Outside of the profession, he enjoys walking, listening to podcasts, tagliatelle, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and pastries. In a parallel existence, we would have found him in the corporate world as a data analyst or consultant for the Big 4.

📢 We now warehouse in Antwerp, Belgium! Read below👇🏻 🇪🇺 Post #Brexit, shipping from the UK into Europe has increasingly become tedious and paved with roadblocks. Sample delivery would either take too long or require heavy documentation charges and duties, and despite checking all boxes, sometimes would not make it at all! 📌 By warehousing at Vollers’ in Antwerp (the second-largest seaport in Europe with reliable road and sea connectivity to the rest of the EU), we can now: (1) Process imports and exports, including customs clearance for large and small volumes alike, thereby reducing delivery time (2) Transport containers from the port directly to your roastery (3) Offer consolidated shipments  (4) Connect you with our broader portfolio and offer list across Yemen, Colombia and Ecuador Vollers Group is among the best-known and most experienced logistics service providers in the transport, storage and processing of green coffee. Annually, they handle hundreds of thousands of tons of #Arabica and #Robusta coffee from 60+ origins. Their passion for specialty coffee and sister industries like #cocoa and #tea dates back to the company’s founding in 1932, and they back it up with first-class professional storage, handling and expert know-how. Our first import of spot volumes features some of our favourite micros and exotics from our Colombian portfolio and we’re extremely excited to share these with you in Europe. Partners – legacy and new ones alike – we’re keen to connect, help diversify your sourcing portfolio, and work together to champion The Coffee Revolution. Get in touch for the offer list and to discuss your sourcing plans for 2024 and 2025! #specialtycoffee #coffeefarmer #coffeeimporter #greencoffee #colombiancoffee

Apollon’s Gold is a contemporary specialty coffee entity based out of #Japan focused on highlighting origin and embracing terroir-specific flavours, who pay homage to the Greek god of Sun through their name. We sat down with them for a quick chat around the Bait Rumaim lot, amongst other things. Swipe for excerpts from the conversation and read below 👇 Q. How would you describe your partnership with Qima? A. One word: #reliable, be it the response time, shipping from the UK or with the wide range of offerings. At Apollon’s Gold, we still prefer to embrace the diversity of each #terroir. Qima has been instrumental in rediscovering one of the world’s oldest terroirs and corresponding it with new #technologies. Here is where our philosophy intersects with Qima’s ethos, and best encapsulates our #partnership. Q. How can #coffeesourcing companies aid roasters better in an increasingly changing #industry scape? A. We recommend three components: (1) quick shipping; (2) early access to samples; (3) reservation of coffee with on-demand payment Apollon’s Gold began as a hobby project that blossomed into a passion for crafting high-quality, #innovative and contemporary #coffee. With the patronage of the vibrant local scene in #Tokyo, they’ve recently opened a brew bar early this year in the heart of the city near the Edo Castle, an erstwhile HQ of the shogunate! We wish them the very best along this journey ✨ #japanesecoffeeculture #coffeeindustry #specialtycoffee #arabicacoffee #responsiblesourcing #sustainablecoffee #yemenicoffee

Hand-picked coffee, for us, is more than a marker of close inspection and #qualitycontrol maintenance. It is also a time-honoured practice that runs in #Yemeni families, where near and distant relatives all come out on the fields to support and celebrate the #harvest. This selective harvesting of only the ripest cherries, dense and at the peak of their flavours, ensures the best possible starting point for the lots. Further, due to the meticulous care involved in hand-picking, there is minimal exterior damage to the cherries, which preserves flavours and prevents unintended chemical reactions with the ambient environment. That said, hand-picking is tremendously #labourintensive and not without challenges. During the small harvest window, #farmers must venture into their fields many times a day to manually attend to the trees. When working without support, farmers often seek help from their neighbours and close ones. Hand-picking can be especially tricky when navigating terraces of coffee farms built along steep, rocky and rugged terrains. Featured here is Hussain Hubaish from Masar village in the #Haraaz mountains of western #Yemen -- a bastion of excellent standards -- selecting the finest picks that make it to their individual lots. Interested to know more about our Yemeni offerings? DM us or use the contact link: qimacoffee.com/contact

A new chapter in Seed to Green: Introducing our Riyadh Office! Saudi Arabia has one of the oldest relationships with #coffee, and it is estimated that coffee has been consumed in the region as far back as the 16th century. Over the years, #Qahwa weaved into the fabric of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, becoming an emblem of hospitality and aestheticism, as well as the subject of art and identity. This relationship has only strengthened with time. To support this heritage and our partners in #SaudiArabia, we’ve brought our origins closer to the market. Say hi to our Riyadh office, and to Ahmed Sheibani, Qima’s representative for #KSA ✨ Ahmed has been with the Qima team for 5 years, beginning with #sourcing and #processing at origin. He takes this deep green expertise to KSA’s roaster community to deliver the best #coffees for their needs. He has keen insights into developing #markets and a stellar track record of building – and maintaining – #stakeholder relationships. Latest drop coming soon, spot coffees are available, so do follow for new updates! DM or use the contact link to register your interest: https://lnkd.in/ddQ9tYZK // !فصل جديد: افتتاح مكتبنا في الرياض تتمتع المملكة العربية السعودية باحدى أقدم العلاقات مع القهوة، ويُقدر أن استهلاك القهوة في المنطقة يعود إلى القرن السادس عشر. وعلى مر السنين، نسجت القهوة في نسيج التراث الثقافي للمملكة العربية السعودية، لتصبح رمزًا للضيافة والجمال، فضلاً عن كونها موضوعًا للفن والهوية. وقد تعززت هذه العلاقة مع مرور الوقت. من أجل دعم هذا التراث وشركائنا في المملكة العربية السعودية، قمنا بتقريب محاصيلنا وخدماتنا من السوق بافتتاح مكتبنا في الرياض، وباختيار أحمد شيباني، ممثل قهوة القمة في المملكة العربية السعودية ✨ كان أحمد مع فريق قهوة القمة خلال السنوات الخمس الماضية ولديه خبرة واسعة في جميع خطوات سلسلة القيمة، لا سيما في مجال البن الاخضر. ويضيف احمد: “تفتخر الرياض، عاصمة المملكة العربية السعودية، بمشهد القهوة المتخصصة النابض بالحياة والديناميكي، والذي يزدهر للشركاء والمستهلكين على حد سواء، مما يجعلها خيارًا استراتيجيًا لقاعدتنا الجديدة. سيتم طرح أحدث إصدار قريبًا، ويتوفر البن لشراء الفوري من مستودعاتنا في المملكة، لذا تابعنا لتتبع التحديثات الجديدة من فريقنا! https://lnkd.in/ddQ9tYZK

We’re very pleased to announce that a recent book chapter titled ’The History and Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Coffea Arabica ’ authored by Christophe Montagnon (CEO, RD2 Vision), Faris Sheibani (Qima Coffee) and Benoît Bertrand (CIRAD) is now available as Article in Press within Advances in Botanical Research. This review provides a comprehensive investigation into the #genetic history and #breeding efforts within #Coffeaarabica, emphasising the significance of #geneticdiversity in its cultivation and the ongoing efforts to adapt the species to modern challenges. In addition to providing #strategies for breeding the plant, it also tackles the challenges + opportunities this brings for the #coffeeindustry. Advances in Botanical Research is a multi-volume publication that brings together reviews by experts on key botanical topics. Established in 1963, it has served as a pivotal resource for plant science, spanning botany and plant pathology. At Qima Coffee, we are committed to advancing knowledge building and knowledge sharing with the #coffee industry, and we aim to achieve this through sustained investments in R&D and #innovation. This pursuit is evident in our passion for #agronomy and genetics, where we undertake research; even our coffees are verified through DNA Fingerprinting. Our collective curiosity led us to uncovering the New-Yemen (or Yemenia) mother population. With further research, we are eager to find what this could add to the genetic diversity of C. arabica as a whole. Available as article in press for select viewing only till 2 July 2024! Read here: https://bit.ly/44YmJTo Do read, and let us know your questions and thoughts down below ✨ #coffeeresearch #specialtycoffee #coffeegenetics #arabicacoffee

The #coffee harvest window in Yemen is closing in May. We noticed this year that the harvest has shifted in some sourcing areas due to changing weather patterns that can be attributed to #climatechange. Most notably, due to delayed rains, the #harvests from some villages in Hayma Dakhiliya and Hayma Kharijiya regions commenced later than usual. In the previous years, we have seen harvests completed by late April. While the #farmers finish their harvest, our teams in Yemen and UK are adapting to this change in full swing, with sensorial quality evaluations at our cupping lab and post-harvest processing protocols ongoing simultaneously. You can expect outstanding lots across all categories, but keep a close eye out for our incoming Competition & 90+ series; Nanolot and Farmer Series; Microlots and Special Reserves. Interested to know more about our Yemeni range and ops? Register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/ddQ9tYZK #sustainableagriculture #coffeesourcing #specialtycoffee #arabicacoffee

WOC Busan Recap: Of passion, vibrance, curiosity and smiles. Our booth saw the attendance of current and new partners, as well as diverse roasters and distributors from around the world. Connections over coffees and cuppings are the best kind; we forged new partnerships that we eagerly look forward to strengthening. Our team reflects on their experience: Busan is the second biggest city in South Korea, and its burgeoning coffee scene is earning it the title of ‘the coffee city’. To witness four days of pure awesomeness, especially the outpouring support of the South Korean people towards the competition scene, made the experience even more memorable. The South Korean market champions the unconventional; consumers welcome different origins and processing with acute curiosity, and many were excited about Qima's Alchemy range. The talent within the coffee workforce is also in a strong position to convert a passing interest in coffee to a strong connection with the specialty experience. We are also stoked to see the wave of innovation spreading, with boundaries pushed towards robust development within the specialty coffee market! The event gives us a lot of hope for the future of the coffee market in South Korea. As long as we prioritise collaboration over competition, this market will be a beacon that pulls with excellence as its baseline and innovation as its mantra. It radiates excitement and a hunger for flavours from multiple origins and terroirs. A very hearty congratulations to the organisers for pulling off this massive event and to Mikael Jasin for securing the first position at the WBC. Special shoutouts to all our friends for their unending support at the booth! We will see you at the next one. ✨

Meet us at World of Coffee, Busan during 1-4 May 2024! The Qima team will be stopping for four days in Busan, South Korea, for the second World of #Coffee event in 2024. Drop by booth I101 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center daily between 2-3:30 PM local time to cup exceptional and delicious coffees from our three origins – Yemen, Colombia and Ecuador – and speak directly to the enthusiastic team that supports the coffees' journey from tree to the customers' cup. DM us to know more, and let us know if you will be attending! We look forward to meeting all of you.