The term "Arab coffee" refers to a way of preparing coffee that is widespread in all Arab countries and the Middle East. Having said that, know that there are many variations from country to country, including when it comes to the roasting of the beans and the spices to add to flavor the drink. An Arab coffee is prepared on the stove with a special coffee pot called a dallah that looks like a pitcher. It is then poured into a thermos and served in small, handleless cups called finjaan. You will be surprised how different this drink is from those prepared in the West, but after a few sips you will always want to serve it to your guests.
Ingrediants
- 3 tablespoons of Arabian coffee beans or ground
- 760 ml of water
- 1 tablespoon of ground or chopped cardamom
- 5-6 whole cloves (optional)
- A pinch of saffron (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of rose water (optional)
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1. Buy some Arabic coffee
You can buy it in powder or roasted beans. Choose medium-roasted ones.
- Some specialty shops and websites offer pre-spiced Arab coffee blends. Although these do not allow you to vary the proportions between spices and coffee, they can be very convenient for obtaining a drink with a typical aroma.
- Alternatively, you can buy unroasted Arabica coffee beans and do the roasting yourself.
Step 2. Grind the coffee, if you haven't purchased the ground coffee
You can use the coffee grinder provided by the store or use the one you have at home.
Although some people suggest a rather coarse grind, others recommend a very fine grind. Try a few tests to find the solution that meets your tastes
Step 3. Crush the cardamom pods
You can use a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon.
Step 4. Grind the cardamom seeds
Remove them from the pods and put them in the coffee grinder to make them a powder.
Step 5. Preheat the thermos
If you have decided to serve coffee from a thermos, as is traditionally done in the Middle East, preheat the container by filling it with boiling water.
Part 2 of 3: Making the Coffee
Step 1. Heat the water in the dallah
Pour in 720ml of water and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
If you don't have a dallah, you can use a small saucepan or Turkish cezve
Step 2. Remove the dallah from the heat for 30 seconds
Wait for it to cool down a little.
In the meantime, reduce the heat on the stove to low
Step 3. Add the coffee to the water and return the dallah to the heat
You don't have to mix because boiling will mix the powder into the water.
Step 4. Leave the coffee to infuse over low heat
After 10-12 minutes, a foam will begin to rise towards the top of the coffee pot.
Do not bring the mixture to a boil or you will burn the coffee. When the water starts to boil, remove the dallah from the stove. Lower the heat further before putting the coffee pot back on the burner
Step 5. Turn off the heat and let the contents of the dallah settle for one minute
If your stove is electric and takes some time to cool, remove the coffee maker immediately.
Step 6. Remove the pan from the stove and wait for the foam to reduce
When its level has dropped, add the cardamom.
You can also add cloves at this point if you have decided to use them
Step 7. Return the coffee pot to the stove and allow the contents to almost boil
The process will create a foam similar to the previous one.
Step 8. Remove the coffee from the heat source and let it rest for 5 minutes
The grounds must settle at the base of the coffee maker.
Step 9. Prepare the thermos
Empty it of the boiling water you used to preheat it. If you have decided to use saffron and / or rose water, pour them now into the empty thermos.
Step 10. Pour the coffee into the thermos until you see the grounds starting to come out
At this point, stop, a small amount of coffee with sediments will remain on the bottom of the dallah.
If you wish, you can pour the drink through a filter. This way you capture the coffee grounds and spices; however, know that it is not essential
Step 11. Let the coffee steep for another 5-10 minutes and then serve it
If you want to present it in the traditional way, use small cups on a tray.
- Usually, the cups are not filled more than half of the capacity.
- Although Arabic coffee is traditionally consumed without sugar, it is served with something sweet, such as dates.
- No milk is added. If you prefer to stain your coffee, know that light roasting is best enjoyed naturally.
Part 3 of 3: Drinking Arabic Coffee
Step 1. Use your right hand to pour, take the cup and drink the coffee
Drinking with the left is considered rude.
Step 2. Offer more than one cup
The guest should accept at least one cup and it is customary for him to drink at least three during a visit.
Step 3. Shake the cup with a twisting motion to show that you are done
This lets the host know that you are ready for another coffee.
