A new chain is looking to lure customers who have sugar-crashed from Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccinos. Haraz Coffee House says it has brought its time-honored Yemeni brewing traditions to a second area location at 10907 Culebra Rd. in Alamo Ranch.

Yemeni native Hamzah Nasser opened the first outpost of the now-national coffee chain in Dearborn, Michigan, in 2021. According to Hour Detroit magazine, he considered owning a gas station before landing on a different kind of fuel inspired by the melting-pot neighborhoods of his Detroit-area youth.

In Yemen, coffee culture is far from the grab-and-go sprint of the United States. Each cup acts as an extension of community, and is frequently served from a single pot (or dallah). The host serves the drink in a steady, unbroken stream as a ceremonial gesture of hospitality.

The country also sips a drink that is very different from America’s joe. Although the coffee grown in Yemen’s mountainous Jabal Haraz region is sometimes brewed whole-bean, it is just as valued for its husk. The chaff is brewed with spices like cardamom or whole ginger, then mixed with milk for a lighter beverage more akin to black tea.

That’s not to say that Haraz hasn’t made a few concessions to U.S. tastes. Guests can find popular espresso drinks like caramel macchiatos and lattes, plus matcha and fruity refreshes. But many of the offerings are served in traditional pots meant for four to six guests.

Guests lounging in the comfortable white and gold space can also nibble from a case packed with bakery treats like sabaya (or bint al-sahn) — a traditional Yemeni layered pastry with black cumin seeds — and Turkish specialties like Istanbul cheesecake — a Basque-style cheesecake with a distinctive caramelized top.

In a direct message, Haraz said it was currently in its soft opening phase. According to its Google business page, it has slightly shorter hours than the recently opened 8435 Wurzbach Rd. location. Hours are currently 10 am-8 pm daily.