Saudi Arabia Celebrates International Coffee Day: Emphasising Cultural Heritage And Economic Impact

Every year on October 1, International Coffee Day celebrates one of the world's most beloved drinks. This day pays homage to coffee's rich history, which began in Ethiopia in the sixth century AD and spread across continents. Today, coffee is a cultural and social symbol and a vital global economic asset worth over $100 billion annually.

In Saudi Arabia, coffee holds a special place in national identity and cultural heritage, especially in Aseer, Al-Baha, and Jazan. The country produces about 2,400 tons of coffee each year from 398,000 trees across more than 2,500 farms. The harvest season starts in spring with careful manual picking followed by various processing methods like drying and washing to maintain bean quality.

The establishment of Coffee City in Al-Baha aims to boost the sector's economic contribution by planting 300,000 coffee trees and creating over 1,000 jobs. Coffee trees are evergreen plants that need specific conditions to thrive. They grow best in temperate highlands between 800 and 2,000 meters above sea level, conditions found in Saudi Arabia's southern mountains.

Saudi Arabia continues to elevate its coffee's status as the world marks International Coffee Day. The nation highlights Saudi coffee's role in its rich heritage and significant contribution to agricultural development and the national economy.

With inputs from SPA