Yemen is the Arab country especially known for the traditional chewing of qat, a mild stimulant made from the fresh leaves and tender shoots of Catha edulis. Chewers typically keep a bundle of leaves in one cheek for several hours, gradually releasing the plant’s active compounds while socializing, talking, or drinking tea.
Qat has deep roots in Yemeni daily life and is grown mainly in the country’s highland regions, where the climate suits the plant. Chewing sessions have traditionally functioned as important social gatherings, although the practice has also attracted criticism because it consumes time, household income, water, and agricultural land. The stimulant effect can reduce appetite and make sleep difficult.
Yemen is not the only place where qat is used. The custom is also widespread in parts of the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti, and the plant is known by spellings such as khat and chat. Still, Yemen is the canonical answer to this quiz question because qat chewing is particularly prominent in Yemeni culture. Qat is not the same plant as tobacco or cannabis.