Mocha coffee festival in Yemen - in pictures

Different kinds of arabica grains are on display during a Mocha coffee festival

A Yemeni woman takes care of arabica coffee seedlings during a Mocha coffee festival at an outdoor market in Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday. All photos: EPA

The three-day Mocha coffee festival allowed farmers to display different kinds of fresh and roasted coffee beans grown in Yemen.

Yemen is reputedly the original home of Arabian coffee.

Mocha coffee dates back to the 15th century when it was first used by Muslim clerics in Yemen to stay awake during late-night prayers.

A Yemeni woman takes care of arabica coffee seedlings during a Mocha coffee festival at an outdoor market in Sana’a, Yemen, 03 March 2022. A Mocha-coffee market was launched in Sana’a for three days to display different kinds of fresh and roasted local coffee beans. It aims also to revive famous Yemeni Arabic coffee industry after a seven-year old fighting in the Arab country prevented farmers from increasing coffee production and exporting it abroad despite tough competition from other coffee producers, including Brazil and Ethiopia. The agricultural authority in Sana’a is scheduled to distribute approximately one million Arabica coffee seedlings to farmers for planting them in nearly 150 areas across Yemen, according to Houthis media. Yemen is the original country for Arabic coffee and home of internationally-known Mocha coffee which is famous for its delicious taste and high quality since coffee became the most loved beverage in the world. Historically, Mocha coffee dates back to the 15th century as sufi monasteries in Yemen employed coffee as an aid to concentration during prayers, spreading to Mecca and Medina of Saudi Arabia. By the early 16th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia. EPA / YAHYA ARHAB

Efforts are under way to revive Yemen's famous coffee industry after fighting in the country hit farming output and disrupted exports.

Roasted arabica coffee beans on display at the market.

A Yemeni serves coffee during the Mocha festival.

The agricultural authority in Sanaa is scheduled to distribute about one million arabica coffee seedlings to farmers from about 150 areas across the country.

Mocha is a wild, natural coffee that is famous for its delicious taste and high quality.

Yemenis perform traditional dances during the festival.

Yemen's coffee beans are widely regarded as some of the best in the world.

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