Khawlani Coffee Beans

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Khawlani Coffee Beans: A Short Guide

Khawlani coffee beans come from the Khawlan mountains, a range that stretches from southwest Saudi Arabia into northwest Yemen. The main areas for growing these beans in Saudi Arabia are Jazan, Al-Baha, and Asir, with Yemen’s Saada also home to the crop. The mountain soil and climate give Khawlani coffee its distinctive oily surface and rich aroma.

The tradition of growing Khawlani coffee is ancient, with cultivation dating back more than eight centuries. The trees usually take about three years to produce fruit. Harvesting happens from October to January. After picking, the beans are dried in the shade for about three weeks, with occasional turning to preserve their flavor.

In 2022, UNESCO added “Knowledge and practices related to cultivating Khawlani coffee beans” to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Economically, Saudi Arabia’s coffee sector is small but growing. About 300 tons of Khawlani coffee are produced each year, mainly for local use and for export to GCC countries.

Al-Dayer in Jazan is the hub for Khawlani farming, home to roughly 1,000 farms and over 218,000 trees, yielding more than 600,000 kilograms each year. Other districts in Jazan that grow Khawlani include Fayfa, Al-Reeth, Al-Edabi, Al-Aridhah, and Harub.

Past statistics show hundreds of Khawlani farms and tens of thousands of trees in the region, with annual harvests reaching a few hundred tons.