Our Story

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The tale of DE MUZAR Coffee is deeply rooted in an ancient legend and an arduous journey. Long ago in Yemen, people worshipped the goddess De Muzar, who held the power to bring happiness. This mystical connection with happiness was only truly harnessed when the Yemeni people discovered coffee beans.

The story goes that a young goat herder noticed his goats becoming particularly energetic after consuming berries from a certain plant. Intrigued, he sampled the berries himself and experienced the same burst of energy. News of these "magic beans" quickly spread throughout the region. In time, their invigorating effect was attributed to the goddess De Muzar. Her worship became inseparable from the flourishing Yemeni coffee culture.

Fast forward to 2015, when two friends, forced to flee their homeland of Yemen, arrived in The Netherlands and started anew. Their respective backgrounds in computer engineering and IT proved challenging in finding suitable jobs. One found work as a mailman, while the other pursued further studies in security and network engineering.

An everyday chat with a teacher about coffee rekindled their connection to the ancient legend and their unique Yemeni heritage. Recognizing an opportunity to share their rich coffee culture and the enchanting story of De Muzar, they decided to import the finest Yemeni coffee to The Netherlands.

After meticulous research and numerous tastings, they identified a high-grade coffee they were proud to introduce to the Dutch roasters and the Yemeni community living abroad. Their coffee was embraced with enthusiasm and nostalgia for a taste of home.

Today, they are set to introduce Yemeni coffee and its deep-rooted culture to The Netherlands. They continue to honour their ancestors' brewing traditions, unique to each region of Yemen, and the preparations of coffee husks (Cascara), and coffee flowers.

The History of Yemeni Coffee

When you think of good coffee, you might envision Italian frothy cappuccinos and doppio espressos. However, coffee is a drink that originated from the Arab world, particularly Ethiopia and Yemen. The term "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word "Qahwa", which initially meant 'wine'. The esteemed Arabica coffee bean continues to hold its premium status to this day.

Coffee was introduced to Yemen before the 1500s and soon became the official beverage of the Islamic world. Yemen's strategic location at the caravan routes' crossroads allowed the country to export coffee worldwide. The term 'Mocha' - also spelled 'Mokka' - originates from the port of Mocha in Yemen, from where coffee was dispatched globally. Both the English and Dutch traders were significant purchasers at Mocha in the early 17th Century. Thus, Mocha coffee is not Italian or Dutch; it's Yemeni.

The Flavours of DE MUZAR Coffee beans

At DE MUZAR Coffee, we plan to offer diverse types of coffee beans, namely Matari, Sanani, and Hirazi. Each bean is distinguished by its unique flavour:

- Matari beans carry chocolate overtones and have a full body.
- Sanani beans offer a balanced taste with a fruity touch.
- Hirazi beans are light and fruity, with a winey acidity.

Our coffee tastes like chocolate

The chocolate note in the Matari coffee is what captivates everyone. This flavour led people to reproduce it by adding chocolate and cocoa to their coffee, thus shaping the current version of Mokka coffee. With our coffee, there's no need for additions; the chocolate flavour is inherently present in the grains.

While the association with De Muzar may not be universally known today, the invigorating power of coffee beans to uplift our spirits and bring joy resonates globally, honouring the ancient Yemeni legend.

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