The world marks the International Coffee Day on October 1st of each year. It is a celebration of the world’s most popular beverage and the coffee sector’s diversity.
Coffee has a long history in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi coffee, gahwa, is a symbol of hospitality and generosity in the Saudi culture. The Kingdom is famous for the Arabic coffee, which has been officially renamed Saudi coffee.
International Coffee Day
In 2014, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) has declared October 1st as the day to celebrate the coffee sector’s “diversity, quality and passion.” It is an opportunity for coffee lovers to cherish the aromatic beverage and support farmers who depend on cultivating coffee beans to earn their living.
The ICO has chosen “Collaboration” to be the theme of this year’s celebration, to emphasize the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development in the global coffee sector. It is also a reminder of the unseen collaboration among various actors across the global coffee value chain to deliver the perfect cup of coffee to millions of people across the world.
To mark the International Coffee Day, many businesses and café owners worldwide offer discounts and special deals to promote the tasty popular drink.
Coffee in Saudi Arabia
Coffee has a great cultural significance in Saudi Arabia. It reflects the Kingdom’s heritage as a traditional drink. It has also become an essential element of the Saudi identity, symbolizing hospitality and generosity. The fragrant beverage is deeply-rooted in the Saudi culture, inspiring literature, poetry and songs for centuries.
Each Saudi Region has its own way to prepare and serve coffee. Different additions and brewing techniques give coffee distinct taste in each region. The aromatic beverage features in nearly all occasions and has become associated with customs and traditions.
Special Identity
Saudi coffee is unique, as it has different preparation techniques. The popular drink is made of lightly roasted beans. Hence, it is rich in caffeine. Saudi coffee also contains a mix of traditional Saudi spices, such as cardamom, cloves and saffron, adding diverse notes and flavors to the brew. For a more enhanced taste, Saudi coffee is often served with dates or nuts.
Moreover, Saudis have a special serving style. They usually prefer to serve it fresh, by roasting, grounding and brewing the beans in front of the guests.
After preparing coffee in dallah (coffee pot), they must hold the dallah and pour coffee with their left hand, and present the cup to the guest with the right hand. Serving starts from the right side of the room, or with the oldest person. The host keeps refilling the cup until the guest says enough or shakes the cup.
Original Saudi Drink
In recognition of the Saudi coffee distinction, the Saudi Ministry of Culture officially changed the name of Arabic coffee into Saudi coffee in 2022, under the initiative “Year of Saudi Coffee.”
This move aims to reinforce the culture and identity of Saudi Arabia, by highlighting the role of coffee in shaping the Kingdom’s identity. It also aims to distinguish Saudi coffee from other coffee drinks in the neighboring countries, stressing the beverage’s Saudi identity.
Coffee International Hub
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s top 10 consumers of coffee. Hence, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is actively supporting coffee cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency and increase economic revenues. This, in turn, enhances non-oil products contribution to the national economy, further advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
As a result, the Ministry has undertaken initiatives and programs to transform 15 regions in the southwestern part of the Kingdom into significant hubs for producing the high-quality Arabica coffee beans. These include the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (REF), which aims to enhance the production, processing and marketing of Arabica coffee.
Furthermore, it has announced plans to establish the first coffee city in Saudi Arabia, in Al Baha Region. The project covers more than 5 million square meters and aims to boost local coffee production by cultivating over 300,000 coffee trees. Al Baha is one of four key regions where coffee cultivation thrives. The other regions are Aseer, Jazan and Najran, which offer suitable conditions for producing coffee.
Taste the Brew
Saudi coffee has many health benefits and can help in minimizing the chance of several diseases, such as Type II diabetes, heart diseases, and dementia, if consumed moderately. To enjoy a cup of this healthy and aromatic beverage, follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- Ground Arabic coffee beans (3 tablespoons)
- Boiled water (1 to 4 cups)
- Ground cardamom (1 tablespoon)
- Small pot (dallah)
- Coffee cup
- Cloves (optional)
- Saffron (optional)
Preparation:
- Put the coffee pot on medium heat and bring it to a boil
- Add the ground coffee and cardamom
- Let the mix boil for 3 minutes
- Serve it in the coffee cup with dates, nuts or dried fruits
