If you're into coffee and its origins, Jizan, a region in southwest Saudi Arabia, has got a pretty good one.
Picture this: back in the 15th century, Yemeni traders and farmers lug their coffee plants across the Red Sea and start growing them in Jizan. Why? Because the place has the perfect combination of temperature and a decent amount of rain, ideal for growing coffee.
Today Jizan's coffee is winning over taste buds everywhere including mine. It's got this awesome mix of sweet and bitter flavors that I can't get enough of. More than a crop - this coffee is a huge part of daily life and daily rituals. You can't have a social gathering without a coffee ceremony - it's simply not done.
But here's where the story gets a bit rocky. Around the 20th century, Jizan's coffee industry took a hit. People were moving to the cities, the economy was changing, and everyone was drinking more tea. The result? A lot of coffee farms were left abandoned, and Jizan's coffee production took a nosedive.
Fortunately, in the 21st century, coffee production in the Jizan Region made a comeback. Thanks to help from the government, a newfound global love for specialty coffee, and Jizan's own pride in their coffee heritage.
Today, Saudi's coffee scene is buzzing and production has returned to the Jizan region. With sustainable farming and traditional processing methods making the rounds. Jizan's special coffee, with its unique taste, is back on the global map. Giving a whole new flavor to Saudi Arabia's developing coffee history.