Ancient Arabic Coffee Shows Guests You Think They’re Worth It

Sameh Wadi, author of The New Mediterranean Table, says there are two types of coffee served in the Middle East. The first is a thick Turkish coffee, which is prepared with roasted, finely ground coffee beans, cardamom, and sometimes sugar. It’s always served in a small cup, allowing the coffee grounds to settle in the bottom of the cup before drinking. The second is ancient Arabic coffee, a filtered, lighter, and more aromatic version that is thinner in appearance but not in flavor. It is sometimes referred to as Bedouin coffee. Wadi’s mother prepared Arabic coffee for special occasions. “I always loved serving it to our guests.” says Wadi. “I ran around filling the very small cups halfway full and I continued to refill the guests’ cups until they shook their empty glass, an Arabic ritual that signals that they did not want more coffee.” Ancient Arabic Coffee 5 to 10 servings

Ingredients

3 cups water
6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
¼ cup light roasted coffee beans, coarsely ground
2 whole cloves
2 tablespoons saffron water “tea”


Extra Crispy