How To Make Arabic Coffee – A Step By Step Guide To Making The Perfect Cup

Nobody would dare ask how to make Arabic coffee if coffee by itself was not a concoction enjoyed everywhere around the world.

With worldwide use comes the splash of variety from the different cultures and their burst of flavor profiles that have originated from their ways of preparing coffee. In today’s daily dose of coffee articles, we explore the preparation methods, the history, and the traditions imbued within a cup of Arabic coffee.

Arabic coffee is a particular type of coffee characterized by its unique ingredients and brewing methods. Moreover, the preparation process is mainly done by hand as well. It is indeed a cup of coffee on a league of its own.

When we see the world with a contained mindset like a jellyfish stuck on a fishbowl, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to experience things that, although peculiar, will shift our views and beliefs. In this article, join us as we celebrate the culture and the story behind Arabic coffee (a step-by-step guide).

How To Make Arabic Coffee: A Guide

Arabic coffee is specifically served in the Arabic regions (Yemen, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, etc.) and is closely related to Turkish coffee.

They are more than a concoction but are a part of the culture themselves. As for the history and the symbolic significance, we will talk about such topics later in this article.

Jargons And Their Definitions

There is not a lot of English information regarding the preparation of Arabic coffee, so finding out how to make Arabic coffee is quite a taxing task. Moreover, there are many jargons that many may not be accustomed to or know the definition of yet.

Because of the said jargon, reading through the whole article may prove to be quite a terrifying experience. We have taken the initiative to list all the problematic terminologies and their definitions, concentrated in a list below.

If you are quite the aficionado, feel free to skim through this area of the article.

Jargons You Might Encounter In This Article

• Arabica coffee beans – Arabica coffee beans are specialty beans known for their smooth taste and their sheer availability. The name “Arabica” comes from the word “Arabic,” as these beans were once an umbrella term for all coffee beans of Arabic origin.
• Cezve or Briki – A Cezve or a Briki is a long-handled pot commonly used to serve Arabic and Turkish coffee. Historically, people knew them to have been from brass and copper.
• Cardamom – are spices found all over Asia. They are used in Arabic coffee as well, giving Arabic coffee a certain tinge to it.
• Dallah – is a traditional Arabic pot used to brew coffee. Used often in the Arabian peninsula.

Preparation Of Ingredients

In search of the answer to the question “How to make Arabic coffee?”, it is essential to know that unlike other types of coffee, which only vary by proportions of milk and coffee and the like (i.e., latte, cappuccino, flat white).

Arabic coffee’s identity results from the various processing methods and the ingredients employed in creating the cup itself. In short, the ingredients are NOT OPTIONAL and are MOST CERTAINLY ESSENTIAL to the design of Arabic coffee.

Before we proceed with the creation process of Arabic coffee, we must first prepare the required ingredients. Therefore, we have formed a list of these said ingredients below.

Ingredients For Arabic Coffee

• Arabic Coffee (Can Be Arabica)
• Cardamom
• Cloves, saffron, or ginger (optional, but recommended)
• Water

To retain the authenticity of Arabic coffee, make sure always to use high-quality Arabica coffee. We recommend using Arabica coffee beans roasted up to a brownish or of a dark yellow color. In addition, we recommend Light to medium roasts for Arabic coffee.

If Arabica roasts are not available, we can substitute them for ungrounded Arabica coffee beans to grind them ourselves. Suppose grinding does not tickle your fancy; we recommend buying Arabica roasts, although not purely Arabica, has some of the taste and flavor of the Arabica bean.

The presence of cardamom is crucial to Arabic coffee as this is one of the key differentiating factors of Arabic coffee to other types of coffee served worldwide. These beans are in Arabic coffee not only for their taste but also for their health benefits. 

Cloves, saffron, and ginger are spices commonly used with Arabic coffee. Since Arabic coffee includes all its varieties in the Arabian Peninsula, it is no surprise why some types add these spices while others do not.

These spices play an essential role in elevating the flavor profile of Arabic coffee, and it is why to add them responsibly as they may be repulsive to those who are new to the taste of Arabic coffee.

Processing Of Ingredients

Now that we have these ingredients, it is essential to make sure that they are adequately processed. First of all, we must ground the ingredients that are in dire need of grinding. These ingredients include coffee beans, some spices, and cardamom pods.

This step is crucial as this will help you be one step closer to answering the question “How to make Arabic coffee.”

As for the coffee, you may use a coffee grinder to help you with this process. We remind you that the finer the coffee grounds will be, the stronger the coffee will be. Grinding coffee too finely will result in over-extraction while grinding coffee too coarsely will result in under extraction.

As for the cardamom, you can use a traditional mortar and pestle to ground it finely. However, if you do not have a mortar and pestle, you can use the back of a spoon to grind the cardamom accordingly.

Making The Coffee

The process as to how to make Arabic coffee is a simple yet complex task. Therefore, it is vital to keep extra attention to detail if you want your Arabic coffee to turn out just the way you want it to be.

At this point, you may want to prepare your Cezke or Briki. You may even choose to preheat your Briki by putting hot water into it. If you do not have a Briki, you can opt for a regular thermos instead.

With the Briki out of the way, it is now time to boil water into your Dallah. Again, use as many cups as desired, provided that you have enough ingredients not to dilute the coffee. If you do not have a Dallah, a saucepan will serve the same purpose well enough.

When the water comes to a full boil, remove the Dallah from the stove and lower the heat. Add the Arabica coffee grounds to the Dallah and return the Dallah to the stove. Stirring is unnecessary, although you may do it if you are concerned about how the mixing process is going.

Unlike the traditional brewing process, which requires pressurized water, the brewing process of Arabian coffee occurs by mixing the coffee grounds and the boiling water. It is essential not to let the coffee boil during this process as this will result in burning. 

How to make Arabic coffee? Do not let it come to a boil, and make sure that the foam will start rising to the top in a span of ten or more minutes.

When the foam appears, let the coffee cool for a few moments before adding the spices, especially the most essential cardamom. Please return it to the stove afterward and let the foam rise again. When the foam rises for a second time, please remove it from the stove and let it cool for a few minutes.

Making Arabic Coffee

1. Heat the Briki
2. Boil water on the dallah
3. Remove the dallah when the water boils. Add coffee grounds and keep the heat low at this point.
4. Let the foam rise.
5. When the foam rises, remove the dallah and add the spices.
6. Let the foam rise again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is Arabic Coffee Served?

As to making Arabic coffee and the serving process, we made a list that summarizes the process. Make sure to follow the steps accordingly.

1. Pour the coffee in the dallah slowly into the briki.
2. When the coffee grounds start showing, stop the process.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Is Arabic Coffee Filtered?

No, it is not. Arabic coffee is not filtered, defining its robust flavor and strength.

Can I Use Both Hands To Drink Arabic Coffee?

In Arabic culture, it is rude to use your left hand for receiving and drinking coffee, so make sure to use your right hand.