Qahwa Coffee: Get To Know This Arabic Recipe
Just as the stories of Arabian nights transport us to faraway lands, Qahwa coffee transports your senses to the bustling markets and tranquil oases of the Middle East—a place where captivating folktales and stories, pyramids, and culinary delights evoke emotions.
Qahwa coffee embodies this spirit of Arabia through its captivating blend of flavors and spices.
We’ll guide you through selecting the perfect coffee beans and explore the secrets of achieving a perfect Qahwa cup. Read our Arabic coffee recipe, where you’ll discover Qahwa ingredients and how to make this perfect drink that even earned a place on UNESCO’s heritage list!
What is the meaning of Qahwa?
Qahwa means coffee in Arabic. This is traditional Arabic coffee made in most households. Interestingly, Qahwa has been on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural World Heritage List since 2015 (1).
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground Arabica coffee beans
- 1 tablespoon crushed Cardamom
- 2/3 cups water
- a pinch of saffron
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- a pinch of cinnamon stick
At a Glance
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Drink Yield:
4 servings
The Qahwa recipe is easy to follow. For traditional taste, there are some things you must keep in mind before we dive into the actual steps.
What is Qahwa made of?
Qahwa Arabic coffee is made of lightly roasted green coffee beans and cardamom and is often served with something sweet, such as dates, candied fruit, dried fruit, or nuts. Other Arabic coffee ingredients include spices such as cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, and even some rose water. The coffee is made without milk, only water.
Since traditional Qahwa is made with lightly roasted beans, it would be best to grind your own beans if you want authentic taste. Since lightly roasted green beans are not commonly available, you can buy unroasted beans and grind them yourself.
So, how to roast green coffee beans and how do you grind them?
Add your green beans to a frying pan and roast on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Secondly, stir the beans so they are evenly roasted. Then, once they change color, remove them from heat and let them cool. Finally, turn them into coffee grounds using a hand mill.
How To Make Qahwa Coffee
Now, let’s make Qahwa Arabic coffee.
Step 1: Boil Water
Pour water and coffee into the pan you’re using to make Arabic coffee and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Qahwa Arabic coffee is traditionally made in Dallah. Dallah is a rounded pot that tapers in the middle (2). Its handle is thin, so you can easily pick up the Dallah. Dallah is made from brass or stainless steel and it usually has a lid, so the coffee stays hot for longer. Most Middle Eastern countries have their own unique Dallah design.
Pro tip 1: If you don’t have a Dallah, it’s not a problem. You can make Arabic Qahwa in a coffee pot, small cooking pot, milk pan, or Turkish ibrik.
Step 2: Add Coffee and Spices
It’s time to add cardamom. Stir to combine and boil for about five minutes. Then turn off the heat, cover the coffee pot, and let the grounds settle at the bottom for about a minute. Don’t stir at this time because the coffee needs time to settle.
Step 3: Strain Coffee and Serve
The next step is adding rose water and saffron. Then, strain and pour the hot coffee into the cups you’ll be serving from.
Pro tip 1: Don’t use a metal spoon to stir coffee. Instead, use a wooden spoon or a cinnamon stick and stir gently. Qahwa won’t be negatively affected, and you’ll get a hint of spice.
Our honest recommendation is to follow the traditional Qahwa recipe. Serve it with sweet treats, such as dates and nuts. In other words, avoid regular sugar.
Qahwa is served in Finjaan—a little thimble-like cup. However, you can still enjoy Arabic coffee by using small cups (espresso cups).
Final Thoughts
Qahwa Arabic coffee contains lightly-roasted coarsely ground beans, cinnamon, cardamom, rosewater and saffron. The inclusion of spices adds depth and complexity to the coffee and elevates the coffee-drinking experience.
Get captivated by Middle East allure, one sip at a time!
FAQs
Qahwa tastes earthy and nutty because of the roasted green beans. The beans can give it a slightly bitter taste. This is fragrant coffee due to the addition of spices, such as cardamom and saffron. Cardamom gives Qahwa an herbal and citrusy note, while saffron provides a floral taste. Qahwa has a smooth lighter and smoother texture compared to different coffees, especially milk-based ones.
Similarly to the coffee called Mirra, Turkish coffee requires an extremely fine grind, almost powdery in texture. Qahwa needs coarser grounds. Turkish coffee has a strong, bold flavor, while Qahwa is more fragrant and has a milder taste and lighter body. What mainly differentiates Turkish coffee from Qahwa is the preparation method. You must brew Qahwa in a Dallah (a traditional Arabic pot). Then, boil it for ten minutes and leave it to settle for five minutes. Lastly, strain and pour it into Fenjals. And for Turkish coffee, brew it in cezve pots and serve it.
Drink Arabian Qahwa coffee any time of the day. In Middle Eastern countries, people drink this coffee after breaking the fast during Ramadan, in the mornings, and at weddings and parties. It’s a great treat to warm you up during cold months.
References
- UNESCO – Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 10.COM 10.B.32. (n.d.). Ich.unesco.org. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions/10.COM/10.B.32
- ROSE. (n.d.). Rose | Blog | The types of Dallah past and the attributes of the best | Rose Thermos. Rosethermos.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://rosethermos.com/types-of-Dallah-past-and-present
