The Origin of the Terms ‘Arabica’ and ‘Mocha’

Although many people believe Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, the Yemenis believe it was the Sufi Monks who really should be credited for spreading the cultivation and production of coffee throughout Southern Arabia and subsequently the rest of the world.

In 1606, at the Port City of Al Mokah, the first european traders discovered an already thriving coffee export industry.

It was at this time that the two important words were adopted into the coffee language ‘Arabica’ and ‘Mocha’.

The Arabica plant species takes its name from Arabia and Mocha, whilst its name has been somewhat hijacked through lack of regional protection, it was once synonymous for potent high-altitude coffee from Yemen’s mountainous ranges. Yemen is full of intrigue for me as it is a largely undiscovered and underutilized growing region in world markets.