Why Is It Important?
Humanity discovered all the popular varieties of Arabica coffee before the 20th century. We already know four maternal coffee groups: Ethiopian coffee, Typica, Bourbon, SL-34 / SL-17. It would seem that no more discoveries are expected.
But digging into the Yemeni landscape, Qima coffee made a sensational discovery. On August 14, 2020, they announced that they had discovered the fifth, previously unknown species of Arabica - Yemenia.
Yemenia Characteristics
Yemenia has extraordinary taste, climate resistance, and financial prospects in one cup.
Climate Resistance
There is a massive problem in the coffee industry: many coffee specialties with bright tastes and high SCA scores are generally less resistant to temperature changes. And more resistant coffee is poor in taste. Yemenia combines bright taste and stability.
Resistance to temperature changes is essential because there is a severe problem in coffee - climate change. It is the main threat that Arabica may face in the coming decades.
Yemenia grows in a harsh climate. It means that genetic experiments can help bring out new sorts of coffee plants that can adapt to a harsh environment. At the same time, a recent specialty will not lose its exceptional taste qualities.
Price & Perspectives
Yemen has been exporting coffee around the world for over 500 years. But now, the country is in a challenging socio-economic situation: civil wars, inflation, high prices.
Local farmers earn very little. The average farmer grows 300 kg of coffee grains and sells them for about $ 1 per 1 kg. Thus, his annual income from coffee is about $ 300. If farmers can grow specialty coffee and market it successfully, they will make a big profit. Thus, if the demand for a new expensive Yemenia is high, the country will have the resources to develop the coffee industry. Farmers will be able to earn more and invest in optimizing coffee production.
Yemenia is a fundamentally new genetic group of coffee that can change the entire Arabica market. The first cups of Yemenia got the highest marks. In the long run, Yemen may counter the biggest threat to the coffee industry - climate changes.