Discover the ceremonial art and intense flavour of Arabic coffee at home
Arabic coffee, a unique beverage made from freshly roasted green coffee beans from Arabia, is recognised for its deep taste and mesmerising aroma. The coffee-making process is traditionally a ceremony performed in front of guests and is an integral part of Arabic hospitality, symbolising respect and welcoming guests.
11 February 2024 17:55
Preparing Arabic coffee
The coffee beans are placed on a flat, iron skillet and roasted over an open fire. After roasting, the beans are put into a copper mortar, known as a hawun, where they're crushed with a copper pestle. The brewed beverage is then transferred to a smaller pitcher, known as dalla al-mizaj. It's from this pitcher that the coffee is poured into small cups, known as findjan. These cups are typically small, cylindrical, and frequently handleless, contributing to their distinctive appearance.
Arabic coffee is robust, unsweetened, and slightly bitter. Sometimes, it's served with the addition of cardamom or other spices, which enhance its flavour. Dates, which are a traditional delicacy in Arab culture, are often served with the coffee.
Recipe for making Arabic coffee
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of ground coffee,
- 1 and 1/3 cups (approx. 315 ml) of water,
- 1 tablespoon of ground or crushed cardamom,
- a pinch of saffron (optional),
- 5-6 whole cloves (optional),
- 1 teaspoon of rose water (optional).
Procedure:
- Warm up the water in a saucepan (or crucible) over medium heat. Once it boils, remove it from the hob for about 30 seconds.
- Add the coffee to the hot water and return the saucepan to the hob, this time on a low heat.
- After approximately 10-12 minutes, you'll observe froth starting to rise to the pot's surface. Avoid letting the coffee boil as this could burn it. If it begins to boil, remove the pot from the heat and try lowering the heat a bit before returning the coffee to the burner.
- Once the froth begins to rise, take the coffee off heat for about a minute. Wait for the froth to decrease, then incorporate the cardamom and optionally the cloves.
- Return the coffee to the burner and bring it close to a boil again. This will form a similar kind of froth.
- When froth emerges, remove the coffee from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes so that the grounds can settle.
- Now, you're ready to serve the coffee. Optionally, you can add saffron and rose water at this stage.
