Mokhtar Alkhanshali has a distinguished career in the coffee industry, marked by his efforts to elevate Yemeni coffee on the global stage and his influence on luxury coffee markets. His journey began with the founding of Port of Mokha, a coffee company aimed at revitalizing Yemen's historic coffee industry. Under his leadership, Port of Mokha has achieved critical acclaim for its high-quality, with Alkhanshali's work bringing international attention to Yemeni coffee's unique qualities and challenges.

​

Alkhanshali's story gained worldwide recognition following the publication of New York Times bestseller "The Monk of Mokha" by Dave Eggers. This biography details Alkhanshali's extraordinary efforts to navigate Yemen's complex landscape amid civil unrest, all while pursuing his dream of restoring Yemeni coffee's lost heritage. The book not only highlights his personal journey but also sheds light on the broader implications of coffee cultivation in war-torn regions, showcasing Alkhanshali's commitment to social and economic improvement through the coffee industry.

​

Mokhtar’s work and his organizations have garnered significant attention and been featured prominently in major outlets as The New York Times, The Guardian, Marta Stewart Magazine, Worth, INC., Bloomberg, Food &Wine, GQ, BBC, USA Today, Bon Appétite, Salon and others. He and his company were even used as questions on Jeopardy (twice).

​

In addition to his work with Port of Mokha, Alkhanshali founded the Mokha Institute, an organization dedicated to supporting Yemeni coffee farmers and the nation's coffee sector at large. Through the institute, he has focused on developing infrastructure, providing education, and implementing quality improvement programs, especially National Yemen Coffee Auction whose platform has been instrumental in showcasing the finest Yemeni coffees to an international audience, promoting transparency, and achieving higher prices for producers. His efforts have been pivotal in enhancing the global competitiveness of Yemeni coffee, ensuring better livelihoods for farmers, and preserving the country's coffee heritage.​