Here at the Time Out office, our morning ‘coffee ritual’ seems to be less ceremony and more about power-chugging our pre-work caffeine fix. But in the land where coffee means so much to so many we decided it was time to explore the Arabian love affair with all things percolated.
Such is the love of coffee in the Emirates that no greater praise can be bestowed by the Bedouins than to describe someone as, ‘making coffee from morn until night.’
Imagine the scenario: An important guest wonders into your office and you offer him a coffee. Presumably he says yes, and you hand him a plastic cup of the regular murky brown liquid we all slurp throughout the working day, dispensed from coffee machines across the city. There’s an awkward moment as he stares in horror at your offering, too polite to comment. It will only be later when the hospitality is not reciprocated you realise your faux pas. Although this might not matter too much on the streets of Abu Dhabi, should you find yourself in the expanse of Arabian desert, it could be the difference between life and death.
Why? Well coffee in the desert is laden with ritual and hidden meaning. Its preparation and consumption are bound in tradition, heritage, identity and community.
In the harsh desert environment a cup of coffee is a warm and protective welcome in the extreme wilds. The time taken in preparation and the composition (some add cardamom, others saffron, more still keep their additions secret) of the coffee offered signify the guest’s status and the host’s intent. Each stage of the preparation will be done by the host in front of the guest. From the light roasting of the beans over flames, the addition of cardamom or other herbs and spices, then the grinding, brewing and serving are all performed while news is shared and information swapped. Both host and guest acknowledging that one day the hospitality will be reciprocated.
Served from an ornate metal coffee pot called dalla, the host only ever pours one or two sips into the tiny cups (finjan). In fact, a full cup is an insult symbolising a ‘heart full of bitterness’ and a sign the host wants his guest to leave. During a typical ‘meeting’ three finjan are traditionally served: one to honour the guest, another for enjoyment and the sword and the final cup to show the host’s role in protecting his guest.
If you thought the ceremonial aspects of coffee were a thing of the past in the UAE, you’d be very much mistaken. So seriously is the ritual still viewed here, that one of the highlights of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) is the coffee making competition. Introduced in 2010, the competition has proved hugely popular, with entrants from across the Arab world taking part. It’s hoped the competition will enliven and encourage the younger generation in the art and its cultural symbolism.
For more information visit www.adihex.net.
The origins
The word ‘coffee’ comes from the Arabic word khahwe. It’s believed coffee beans originated in Ethiopia and then travelled to the Arabian Peninsula via Yemen in the 15th century. The Arabs then took their favourite drink to the rest of the world.
The Raw Coffee Company
If you like the idea of putting more ceremony into your coffee routine why not try the Raw Coffee Company for some amazing 100 percent free-trade and 100 percent organic options. By sourcing, roasting and supplying the very finest coffees and coffee making equipment and offering Barista training, Raw offers a unique experience. It was voted Best Coffee in Dubai by Time Out Dubai in 2010 and nominated by BBC Good Foods Middle East as one of its favourite coffee brands in 2012. In Abu Dhabi the company works through Mead Cafe at Khalifa A and Saadiyat Island, Slices Cafe at Al Mamoura and Zayed Women’s University, Bloomsbury’s cupcakes and Hey Sugar. Coffee beans as well as cups of coffee can be purchased from both Mead Café and also Slices.
For more information visit www.rawcoffeecompany.com.
Coffee customs
• Shake the cup lightly to signal you’ve finished.
• Don’t shake and you’ll receive a refill.
• Remember to use only the right hand when drinking, eating or offering.
• Usually dates are offered with the coffee, so be polite and accept one.
• It’s usual to accompany the coffee with a glass of water.
• Coffee is drunk after a few minutes when the grounds have sunk to the bottom of the glass.
Win! Barista training from The Raw Coffee Company
Do you want to impress your friends with some top coffee making skills? Raw and Time Out have teamed up to offer one lucky reader a free barista course worth Dhs500. The winner will visit the roastery at Raw HQ to learn top secret barista techniques, guaranteed to wow your mates and ensure a faultless cuppa every time. To enter simply hit ‘like’ on Raw Coffee Company’s Facebook page and the winner will be drawn at random.
