The first coffee we have at NOMAD offered as an exclusive Limited Edition to our friends at Play. This coffee was purchased by Fran, CEO & Chief of Coffee, during the 2025 BEST OF YEMEN auction. Before making the purchase decision, we at NOMAD conducted a blind tasting of all the lots that made up this BoY. All the coffees were very good, but some stood out at the table. One of them was the number 1 coffee in the auction with 90.45 points out of 100. But there was one (the lot we have) that we also loved, especially Fran, as it reminded him of a Yemeni coffee he tasted for the first time during his Q Grader course in 2019. This lot, which was number 24 in the auction with 87.90 points, won us over with its intense profile of dried fruit—super sweet and very dense on the palate. We also detect cacao nibs, red plum, strawberry, and mostly red berries, accompanied by 70% chocolate, honey, and panela. A coffee with a silky body and a honeyed acidity, featuring a long, pleasant aftertaste. After nearly seven years, this Yemeni coffee was the one we wanted to feature at NOMAD.
In Wadi Jannat, nestled among the fertile hills of Badan, the life and legacy of Fatima Al-Gharab remain an integral part of local memory. Fatima lived to be a century old, and throughout those years, her days were defined by coffee farming. From a young age, she took on every task herself: planting the coffee trees, tending the terraces, harvesting, sorting, and drying the beans. Her trees, including the Udaini and Tuffahi varieties, were nourished by mountain rains and spring water, yielding consistent harvests year after year.
Even in her old age, when she no longer walked the terraces, Fatima remained the guiding force of her farm. From her home, she prepared compost, directed the work, and ensured that each stage was carried out with precision by the younger members of the community who followed her instructions. Her farm was modest in size, but it supported her six children and became a symbol of continuity and resilience.
This year’s lot, grown from DNA-verified SL34 and processed using Qima’s Alchemy method, reflects both her heritage and the unique conditions of Wadi Jannat. At 1,900 meters above sea level, the soil imparts clarity and structure, while the Alchemy fermentation protocol adds depth to its natural profile.
Fatima’s influence endures not only within her family but also in the agricultural culture of Wadi Jannat. Her authority, knowledge, and lifelong dedication to coffee set a standard that others in the community continue to uphold. Her story mirrors that of Ibb, a province long shaped by agriculture and recognized as Yemen’s most fertile. From the terraced slopes of Badan to the historic centers of Ibb and Jiblah, where Queen Arwa placed agriculture at the heart of her kingdom, Fatima’s legacy belongs to a lineage of custodians who have upheld Yemen’s agricultural heritage for centuries.
Process
The culmination of years of processing experience and over 1,300 experiments, Qima’s Alchemy Series represents the next generation of innovation in coffee processing. Thanks to these innovations, they have succeeded in adding sensory value to the coffees. The resulting cup profiles are intense and enhanced; they retain the intrinsic flavors and notes that represent the terroir and genetic origin of the coffee.
The Alchemy Series relies on a combination of pressure (up to 10 bar / 145 psi), temperature control, gas regulation, and managed drying to develop a range of truly unique coffees with unparalleled flavor expression and structure. All processing and fermentation protocols are grounded in chemical engineering principles, ensuring that the innovations are both sensorially distinctive and scientifically novel.