Emirati coffee

If you’ve ever been offered coffee by an Emirati, you might notice the manner and even the brew itself are miles away from what you are used to in a typical coffee house. The coffee served would be much smaller, as well as being served in a small cup, called ‘Finjaan’ in Arabic. The coffee, prepared by boiling beans, is rather bitter, and has a distinctive taste. Emiratis usually add cardamom and saffron to it for a distinctive flavour and colour. The tradition dates back to tribal origins in the desert, when coffee would be prepared slowly by boiling the brew in a golden flask over hot coals in the sand. If you are offered a cup, it is considered rude not to accept it, so even if you are not a coffee drinker, enjoy the experience.