Anew coffee shop chain, Haraz Coffee House, is set to open two locations in San Antonio—at 8435 Wurzbach Rd. and 10907 Culebra Rd. #120. But this won’t be your typical coffee stop. Haraz aims to share Yemen’s rich, time-honored coffee traditions with local coffee lovers.
The chain was founded by Yemeni immigrant Hamzah Nasser, who opened the first Haraz location in Dearborn, Michigan, in 2021. Before starting Haraz, Nasser explored careers as a gas station owner and a long-haul truck driver. His idea for Haraz was inspired by the diverse, melting-pot neighborhoods of his Detroit upbringing.
In Yemen, coffee is deeply connected to community and hospitality—very different from the quick grab-and-go style common in the U.S. Coffee is traditionally served from a single pot called a dallah, poured in one steady stream as a welcoming gesture to guests.
The coffee itself is unique. Coffee beans grown in Yemen’s mountainous Jabal Haraz region are prized, but so is the coffee husk or chaff. This chaff is brewed with spices such as cardamom or whole ginger, then mixed with milk to create a lighter drink somewhat similar to American tea.
Haraz does offer some familiar drinks like caramel macchiatos and matcha lattes for the Starbucks generation, including a flat white-style foam. However, most drinks are served in traditional pots designed to be shared among four to six people, preserving the spirit of Yemeni coffee culture.
Haraz Coffee House invites San Antonio residents to experience a warm, communal coffee tradition that honors the roots of Yemen’s rich brewing heritage.
Related topics:
- Vienna Coffee House to Open at Maryville College, Sneak Peek Set for June 10
- Roasted Coffee Market in Africa Forecast to Grow Through 2035
- Soctora Yemeni Coffee to Open in Temple Terrace, Bringing Tradition to Tampa