Our Story
Bon Bonen is a Dutch–Yemeni specialty coffee brand focused on delivering exceptional coffee that revives the world’s oldest coffee culture.
Founded in the Netherlands by Yemeni immigrant Mohammed Farea, Bon Bonen was created to bring Yemeni coffee into a new generation of coffee culture.
Growing up in Yemen, coffee was always more than a drink. It was part of daily life, community, and culture. Years later, in Europe, I discovered something that changed my perspective completely:
Yemen was once the world’s first coffee trade centre and the Dutch helped take coffee to the world.
That historic connection became the foundation of Bon Bonen.
Today, we work with Yemeni farmers and trusted partners who continue to preserve generations of coffee craftsmanship. By combining authentic Yemeni heirloom coffee with modern Dutch craftsmanship, we create coffees that feel both deeply rooted and carefully refined.
From freshly roasted specialty coffee beans to slow-extracted Dutch Brew, every product is designed to highlight the clarity, complexity, and character of Yemeni coffee in a modern way.
We collaborate with carefully selected partners across the entire value chain from Yemeni coffee farmers to Dutch Brew specialists and roasting experts all sharing the same commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.
Our mission is simple:
To bring Yemeni coffee back into the global conversation while supporting the farmers behind it through fairness, sustainability, and respect for origin.
Our Coffee Journey
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![Hand picking ripe Yemeni coffee cherries from a coffee plant.]()
Harvesting
We source specialty Yemeni coffee known for its complex, distinctive flavor.
Our coffee is harvested by local Yemeni farmers in high-altitude mountain terraces where coffee has been cultivated for centuries. We focus on traceable lots, traditional farming knowledge, and carefully selected ripe cherries to preserve quality from the very beginning.
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![Two women in traditional clothing harvest coffee beans on large drying tables in a mountainous landscape.]()
Processing
We work with both traditional natural processing and modern experimental fermentations such as anaerobic processing. This combination allows us to preserve the deep heritage of Yemeni coffee while creating vibrant and complex flavor profiles unique to each harvest.
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![Roasted to Highlight Origin Character]()
Roasting
Our coffees are roasted in small batches on a Dutch-made Giesen W6 roaster to preserve freshness, clarity, sweetness, and complexity of Yemeni heirloom varieties.
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![Freshly brewed Yemeni black coffee in a metal cup.]()
Dutch Brew Production
Bon Bonen is one of the few brands producing Ready-To-Drink Dutch Brew using authentic Yemeni specialty coffee. Inspired by one of the oldest cold coffee brewing methods introduced by the Dutch centuries ago, our slow cold-drip extraction creates a smooth, layered, and naturally sweet coffee experience.
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![Crafted for Freshness & Presentation]()
Packaging
From whole beans to bottled Dutch Brew, every product is packaged with attention to freshness, protection, and visual identity, using eco-friendly packaging designed to preserve freshness while reducing environmental impact.
Impact
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![Multiple hands picking ripe red coffee cherries from a coffee plant.]()
Social Impact
We source directly from smallholder farmers through transparent, fair systems. We pay Fair prices above market level, ensuring farmers receive sustainable income.
Job creation in rural Yemen, empowering farming families and local communities.
Women empowerment: women play a vital role in hand-picking and processing coffee their work is highlighted and valued.
Preservation of agricultural heritage: protecting centuries-old Yemeni coffee traditions.
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![People harvesting ripe coffee cherries from coffee plants and collecting them in a woven basket.]()
Economic Impact
Spotlights Yemen, a rare but historically foundational coffee origin.
Empowering smallholder farmers with stable income and long-term partnerships.
Connecting Yemen directly with the European market, starting with the Netherlands the historical first gateway for coffee into Europe.
Building cultural & economic bridges between Yemen and Europe.
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![Farmers walking through Yemeni coffee terraces with mountain villages in the background.]()
Environmental Impact
Sustainability by tradition: Yemeni coffee is typically grown by smallholder farmers using eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
Terraced farming methods protect soil, prevent desertification, and maintain biodiversity. Lower water footprint: dry/natural processing consumes significantly less water than washed methods.
Eco-friendly packaging
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![Farmers harvesting coffee cherries on a hillside plantation with a backdrop of mountains and historic city structures.]()
Cultural Impact
Preserve Yemeni coffee heritage as the world’s oldest coffee culture.
Preserving and sharing the story of the Netherlands the historical first gateway for coffee into Europe.
Cultural significance: supporting Yemeni coffee means protecting traditions that gave coffee to the world.
Offering a premium product as a cultural experience, not just a beverage.
