Qishr Recipe: Make Traditional Yemeni Ginger Coffee At Home
Qishr is a traditional coffee drink from Yemen with a unique flavor profile you need to try for yourself.
Have you ever wondered what happens to coffee cherries after the beans have been extracted? In Yemen, the dried coffee fruits are brewed into qishr, the unique Yemeni sweet ginger coffee.
In this article, I’ll give you the rundown on this underrated spiced beverage, from its cultural significance to how you can make it at home.
What Is Yemeni Qishr?
Qishr is a traditional Yemeni hot beverage brewed from coffee husks, sugar, ginger, and occasionally other regional spices, like cardamom or cinnamon. It is sometimes known as coffee cherry tea.
Qishr has an important role in Yemen’s rich cultural heritage. Originally incorporated into religious ceremonies in the mid-1400s, it is still commonly served to guests as a sign of hospitality.
What’s A Coffee Husk?
A coffee husk is the dried fruit surrounding the coffee bean, also known as cascara. It is generally discarded during normal coffee bean processing, despite containing compelling flavors and potential health benefits (1).
If you can’t find cascara, you can make this recipe by substituting an equal amount of finely ground coffee beans. I like to use a medium roasted coffee, ideally something single-origin with fruity tasting notes. It won’t be authentic, but it will still be a delicious spiced coffee.
How To Make Qishr (Yemeni Ginger Coffee) At Home
The hardest part of making Yemeni spiced coffee at home is sourcing the coffee husks. With that out of the way, it’s no harder than making tea. Let’s get started.
Qishr Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee husks
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons white sugar, or to taste
- 8 ounces filtered water
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
At A Glance:
Brew Time:
5 minutes
Yield:
One 8-ounce drink
Qishr Ginger Coffee Recipe: Step-By-Step
Ready to bring a touch of Yemeni culture to your kitchen? Here’s how to make an aromatic cup of qishr.
1. Bring Water To A Boil
Bring the 8 ounces of water to boil in an ibrik (ideally) or small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add All The Ingredients
Once your water has come to a boil, remove from the heat and add in the ground husks, sugar, and ginger. You can optionally adjust the flavor with other warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Pro tip: Fresh ginger is more traditional, but most recipes use ground ginger because it is widely available. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger for the dried powder.
3. Brew Your Coffee
Put the ibrik back on the heat and return to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover, and let it steep for five minutes – or longer for a stronger drink.
4. Strain And Serve
Strain the steeped mixture through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into a warmed mug, or divide it into two or three smaller drinks. In Yemen, Qishr is traditionally served in demitasse coffee cups – small servings to sip delicately.
Pro tip: Pair this unique beverage with hearty Yemeni and Arabian Peninsula desserts, like areeka or masoub, for an authentic experience.
Final Thoughts
Qishr is a traditional spiced coffee drink made from coffee husks and ginger. It’s delicious, healthy, and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Yemen. And it’s so easy to make, there’s no reason not to make it a part of your morning or afternoon ritual.
FAQs
Qishr contains roughly 25 mg of caffeine per cup – about a quarter the amount of regular coffee. There is no such thing as decaf coffee husks. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free beverage, consider coffee made with maca roots or another of these coffee substitutes.
Qishr is sometimes called coffee cherry tea to specify that it isn’t made with ground coffee beans, but it isn’t technically tea either. By definition, tea must be brewed with tea plants – camellia sinensis – though herbal teas flaunt this regulation.
Yes, qishr is healthy. Cascara contains many of the same health benefits as black coffee, as it is packed with antioxidants, riboflavin, and polyphenols (2). Additionally, ginger brings its own benefits to the table, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation (3). Add sugar sparingly if you are concerned about calories.
References
- Clayton, L. (2022, June 23). What Is Cascara? Retrieved from https://sprudge.com/what-is-cascara-187409.html
- Abduh, M. Y., Nofitasari, D., Rahmawati, A., Eryanti, A. Y., & Rosmiati, M. (2023). Effects of brewing conditions on total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory properties of cascara. Food Chemistry Advances, 2, 100183.
- Shahrajabian, M. H., Sun, W., & Cheng, Q. (2019). Clinical aspects and health benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in both traditional Chinese medicine and modern industry. Acta agriculturae scandinavica, section b—Soil & Plant Science, 69(6), 546-556.
