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Yemen's Coffee Culture Booms in the US
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

Yemen's Coffee Culture Booms in the US

From Asharq Al-Awsat · (12m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Yemeni coffeehouse culture is rapidly expanding across the US, with a 50% growth in major chains last year.
  • These cafes offer a late-night social space for the increasing number of Americans who abstain from alcohol, mirroring Middle Eastern nightlife.
  • The trend is fueled by a growing Arab American population and a broader interest in authentic global flavors and experiences, with cafes opening nationwide.

Yemen, a nation historically credited with introducing coffee to the world, is now exporting its vibrant coffeehouse culture to the United States. Hundreds of years after its initial contribution, the war-torn country is seeing its unique social tradition flourish across American cities.

Generally in the Middle East, our nightlife is coffee, right? People hang out at coffee shops, they play cards, they talk. We wanted to bring that here.

— Ahmad BadrOwner of an Arwa Yemeni Coffee franchise, explaining the social appeal of the cafes.

The number of Yemeni-style cafes has surged, with six major chains alone experiencing a 50% increase in locations last year. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the cafes' late operating hours, which provide a crucial social hub for the growing segment of Americans choosing not to drink alcohol. This mirrors the traditional Middle Eastern practice of socializing in coffee shops.

Furthermore, the expansion is bolstered by the significant rise in the Arab American population and a wider American appetite for authentic global experiences. As Yemeni Americans like Arwa Yemeni Coffee co-founder Faris Almatrahi explain, these cafes serve as a vital connection to home for those unable to visit their homeland due to the ongoing civil war, evoking Yemen through desert-toned decor and traditional motifs.

One of the ways to actually visit without traveling there was to bring that experience to the US, and that was a huge passion for us when we opened our first location.

— Faris AlmatrahiCo-founder and owner of Arwa Yemeni Coffee, discussing the emotional significance of recreating Yemeni ambiance in the US.

While many Yemeni cafes are concentrated in areas with large Arab American communities, their appeal is spreading nationwide. Customers of all backgrounds are drawn to the unique offerings, such as Adeni tea and qishr, and the authentic atmosphere that transports them, if only for a moment, to the heart of Yemen. This cultural export highlights a resilient community's effort to maintain its heritage abroad.

It was extremely emotional for all of us due to the fact that it really transported us to Yemen.

— Faris AlmatrahiCo-founder and owner of Arwa Yemeni Coffee, describing the impact of the cafe's atmosphere on Yemeni Americans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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