Coffee, as one of the most renowned perennial crops in the Aseer region, is exemplified by the coffee tree, which receives dedicated attention in terms of care, cultivation, and investment within the Aseeri community. The terraces of the Sarat region and its plains serve as natural environmental havens conducive to the growth and propagation of coffee trees, owing to the fertility of the soil and the region's substantial annual rainfall.
Coffee in Aseer
The history of coffee production in the Aseer region spans hundreds of years, during which it emerged as one of the most crucial commodities traded between Aseer and other regions. Coffee held significant cultural and social value in the lives of the locals, and the act of presenting coffee beans as a gift represented a deeply ingrained moral gesture that was widespread among the inhabitants, owing to the rarity and high value of coffee.
In recent years, interest in coffee trees has surged, prompting endeavors to revive farms containing coffee trees due to their high economic significance and the distinctive flavor of Arabica coffee in comparison to other varieties. This aligns with the national development and economic sustainability journey of Aseer's products and crops, with coffee standing out as one of the most pivotal among them. Consequently, associations dedicated to coffee have been established to disseminate agricultural and environmental awareness among coffee farmers, foster partnerships, and stimulate local and international investment. This concerted effort contributes to the establishment of a specialized national industry to produce distinctive Arabica coffee originating from the mountains of Aseer.
The Aseer region boasts an excess of twenty thousand coffee trees, yielding approximately 250 tons of green coffee and 83 tons of dried coffee on an annual basis. Furthermore, coffee husks are utilized in the preparation of a renowned local beverage known as Al-Qishr. Coffee trees are cultivated across various provinces and centers of the Aseer region, including Abha, Rijal Alma, Sarat Abidah, Al-Majardah, Bisha, and Bareq. The narrative of coffee is deeply entrenched in Aseer's history, steeped in the aroma, and refined taste of a globally.
