Wayel Al Wohaibi from Sulalat Coffee on the Podcast | Week 40, 2025
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Wayel Al Wohaibi from Sulalat Coffee in Riyadh Saudi Arabia
This week on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat (Riyadh), joins us to unpack how Saudi specialty coffee started, how culture shapes flavor and service, and what it takes to build a respected coffee business in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s specialty scene didn’t just import “third-wave” ideas, it adapted them to a distinct cultural context where hospitality, ritual, and premium service define the experience. Wayel connects that tradition to modern operations: how flavor expectations shape roast and menu decisions, why region-specific cupping and customer education matter, and what it takes to build supplier relationships that hold up under growth. He also shares grounded insights into Saudi as a potential origin, where quality control, farmer partnerships, and patient investment will determine long-term credibility.
Watch the five-part series:
The Genesis of Saudi Specialty Coffee → https://youtu.be/eWjB9Zld8KU
Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate → https://youtu.be/B9mHKi1ivwI
Running a Coffee Business in Saudi Arabia → https://youtu.be/zspRNIufC_U
The Future of Saudi Arabia as an Origin Country → https://youtu.be/heJAB30BgCc
How to Do Good Coffee Business → https://youtu.be/63BiqHbRp0E
Connect with Wayel & Sulalat:
Website: https://sulalat.com/en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayel-al-wohaibi-b574a04/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesulalat/
Access “Introduction to Regenerative Coffee Farming” On-Demand for as little as $10 at the new Map It Forward On-Demand Learning Hub here: www.ondemand.mapitforward.coffee