Move over, pumpkin spice latte. The hottest new coffee trend comes from Yemen.
The buzz: In recent years, Yemeni-American cafe chains — like Qamaria, Arwa and Haraz Coffee House, which have all opened locations in Tampa Bay over the last year and a half — have percolated across the country.
- Last year, the number of shops increased by 50%, making them the fastest-growing coffee sector in the nation, according to Technomic, which listed three Yemeni chains in a recent “Future 50 Growth List.”
Zoom in: Along with Qamaria and Arwa, standalone Yemeni coffee shop Socotra Café opened last summer in Temple Terrace. Haraz Coffee House launched in Wesley Chapel at the beginning of the year.
- St. Pete is set to get its first shop this fall with Mocha Bay, planned for the ground floor of the Princess Martha downtown, St. Pete Rising reported.
Why Yemen? The Middle Eastern country is considered the birthplace of coffee and still supports small growers, many of whom export coffee to relatives who run U.S. cafes.
- The word mocha even comes from a Yemeni port city that was once a center of coffee trade.
Big draws: Pastries (some laced with Dubai chocolate), elegant interiors, a vibe that invites lingering and late hours, often until 10pm or midnight…