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A Journey Through Coffee: From Yemen to Your Cup

Host: Corinna Bellizzi
Guest: Mokhtar Alkhanshali, CEO & Founder of Port of Mokha

In this episode, Corinna Bellizzi is joined by Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemeni-American entrepreneur, historian, and coffee innovator, to discuss the fascinating journey of coffee from Yemen’s highlands to high-end coffee shops worldwide. Together, they explore the deep connections between coffee, social impact, and sustainability.

Key Topics Covered:

  • The Origins of Coffee in Yemen: Mokhtar shares the historical roots of coffee, which began in Yemen centuries ago, including the rise of the city of Mocha as the coffee trade center. He connects this rich history to the present and the coffee his company sources.

  • Mokhtar’s Personal Journey: From law school to community organizing, Mokhtar’s path took a surprising turn toward coffee, rooted in his desire to uplift coffee farmers and create a sustainable business model in Yemen.

  • Challenges in Yemen: Mokhtar recounts his harrowing experience bringing Yemeni coffee to market amidst Yemen's civil war. From dodging bombs to navigating civil unrest, his perseverance led to Port of Mokha’s success.

  • The Importance of Sustainability in Coffee: Mokhtar emphasizes the need for fair pay for coffee farmers and describes his vertically integrated business model. By working directly with Yemeni farmers, he ensures that they receive fair wages, which is critical to the long-term sustainability of their communities.

  • The Different Coffee "Waves": Mokhtar explains the evolution of coffee culture through the first, second, and third waves, noting the rise of specialty coffee and how consumers are becoming more conscious of origin, processing, and flavor.

  • Coffee Processing Methods: A deep dive into how different processing techniques (natural versus washed) impact flavor profiles, and why Mokhtar's naturally processed Yemeni coffee has unique and complex flavors, often compared to fine wine.

  • Taste Test: Corinna shares her experience tasting two different Port of Mokha coffees, highlighting how coffee tasting can be as nuanced as wine tasting. Mokhtar explains the difference between light and dark roasts and how each processing method brings out distinct flavors.

Key Takeaways:

  • Coffee has a deep cultural and historical significance, especially in Yemen, where it originated and thrived for centuries.
  • Port of Mokha’s mission is to create a socially responsible coffee supply chain that benefits Yemeni farmers directly.
  • Coffee lovers can play a part in this mission by choosing to support companies like Port of Mokha that prioritize sustainability and fair trade.
  • The complexity of coffee flavors rivals that of wine, and by becoming more conscious consumers, we can enjoy better coffee while also supporting ethical production practices.

Resources Mentioned:

Call to Action:

Join our circle to get access to the latest episodes and action pages with practical steps you can take to support responsible coffee sourcing and other social impact causes.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and family to help spread the word about ethical coffee production and the importance of supporting farmers around the world.

Connect with Corinna Bellizzi:

 

THE TRUE COST OF COFFEE: A Journey from Yemen to Your Cup

I’ve been thinking a lot about the true cost of our foods, our nutrition sources, and our favorite beverages over the course of the last couple of months. It’s not a new topic, as I’ve hit on this theme in a variety of episodes since launching this show in January 2021. But this is the first time I’ve really dug into the science behind this concept. The things we consume have a carbon cost, sure – but they also have a water cost, an energy cost, an environmental cost – and a very real human cost.

Longtime listeners already know that I love my coffee. LOVE with a capital L.O.V.E. I drink it from shortly after I wake up in the morning until the late afternoon. I love the ritual of coffee. I love the smell of it. I love the sound of it brewing, and the satisfaction of the first and last sips.

This week, I got the chance to meet the founders of Biggby coffee – Bob & Michelle Fish -- to interview them for an upcoming episode – which airs on October 23, 2024. Connecting with the cause-driven founders really got me thinking back to my conversation with Mokhtar Alkanshali, the founder of Port of Mokha.

It’s for this reason that I am sharing the episode with you again. If you’ve heard it before, perhaps you’ll grab a cup of your favorite coffee, and enjoy this in the background, thinking anew about what coffee means to you. What is it worth to you? What is the true cost of coffee?