Arabic coffee had various names in the past, including "Bun", "Kaif", "Haif", "Shadhiliyya", and others, with each name associated with a specific region or a different method of preparing the coffee.
History of Arabic coffee
The history of Arabic coffee varies in different Arab countries, the most prominent of which are the following:
Yemen
Coffee first appeared in the Arab world in Yemen in the 15th century AD, and then spread to other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Levant, and others.
The credit for the emergence of coffee in the Arab countries goes to Jamal al-Din, i.e. Abdullah Muhammad ibn Saeed al-Dhabhani, who brought coffee from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) to Yemen.
At first, Yemenis did not accept coffee because, according to some, it detracted from people's chivalry. However, its use soon spread to all classes.
Saudi Arabia
There are various accounts of the first appearance of coffee in Saudi Arabia, some of which claim it spread from Yemen to Mecca and then to other regions, while others believe it was brought by Turkish traders.
Some historians believe that Turkish traders brought coffee to Saudi Arabia through the markets of Jeddah, and it subsequently spread throughout the Kingdom, becoming a cultural and historical heritage.
Egypt
Yemeni students who came to Egypt to study at Al-Azhar University brought coffee to Cairo, and from there the drink spread throughout Egypt.
Arabic coffee registered with UNESCO
In 2015, UNESCO inscribed Arabic coffee on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Old names of Arabic coffee
There are many names given to Arabic coffee, including the following:
- Coffee: Coffee is one of the most famous names given to coffee by Arabs. The name refers to the basic ingredient used to prepare coffee.
- Al-Shadhiliyya: This name is given to coffee by some for two reasons: the first is in reference to Ali ibn Omar al-Shadhili, the first person to drink coffee, and the second is due to a type of Yemeni coffee.
- Al-Kaif: Some Arab countries have given coffee the name "al-Kaif," reflecting its positive effect on the brain and the feeling of comfort and relaxation.
- Bitter: Coffee usually has a bitter taste and flavor unless other flavors or sugar are added to it. Hence, “Ban” is one of the ancient Arabic names for coffee.
- Tabkha: This is a less common name, as some people use it because coffee is usually cooked over low heat.
- Al-Bariyya: Some Yemeni Arabs called coffee Al-Bariyya, and this name goes back to the wild coffee in Yemen.
- Al-Haif Cup: Coffee is called Al-Haif when the host drinks from the coffee cup offered to the guest, to ensure that it is free of toxins.
- Guest's Cup: This name was given to coffee to express that there is no hostility between the guest and the host, as the guest drinks it willingly.
- Cup of Kif: When coffee is served to a guest for the second time, it is called Cup of Kif, and the guest can drink the cup or not.
- The Sword Cup: If a guest drinks a cup of coffee for the third time in the same gathering, the coffee is called the Sword Cup, because the guest has thus pledged to defend the host in any disputes.
- The Knight's Cup: The coffee was named the Knight's Cup, referring to someone's desire to take revenge on another person, whereby he leaves the tribe and does not return to it after taking revenge.
Types of Arabic coffee
After learning about the ancient names of Arabic coffee, we will now turn to the types of Arabic coffee , which can be divided according to several factors, as follows:
Countries and method of preparation
Coffee is divided according to countries and the method of preparation, as follows:
- Saudi Coffee: Blonde coffee is popular in the Kingdom. It is prepared by placing it in a pot over low heat, then adding cardamom and other flavorings, and serving it in small cups.
- Egyptian coffee: Egyptians drink many types of coffee, especially black coffee. It is prepared by placing the coffee beans in a pot over low heat and then drinking it in a cup or mug.
- Shami coffee: Coffee is prepared in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon by combining coffee beans with unflavored water, then placing it on the fire and drinking it all at once.
- Yemeni coffee: There are many ways to prepare coffee in Yemen, and there are many types of coffee, such as Ismaili, Harazi, Yafie, and others.
roasting degree
Arabic coffee is divided into several types, according to the degree of roasting, as follows:
- Black coffee: Also called dark coffee, the coffee beans are roasted to a strong degree, which reduces acidity and increases caffeine content.
- Blonde coffee: This type of coffee is lightly roasted until it turns yellow, with a higher acidity and less caffeine.
- Green coffee: This type of coffee has not been roasted, so it retains its natural properties and has a significantly lower caffeine content.
Flavors
There are various flavors added to Arabic coffee, including the following:
- Spices: In Saudi Arabia, spices such as cardamom, saffron, and ginger are added to coffee.
- Fruits: Fruits such as strawberries or raspberries are added to coffee during brewing or processing.
- Chocolate: Coffee is prepared with different chocolate flavors, such as dark, sweet, or cocoa.
Types of coffee used in Arabic coffee
After discussing the ancient names and types of Arabic coffee, we will discuss the types of coffee beans used in Arabic coffee, as follows:
- Harari coffee: widely used in Arabic coffee, its origins go back to Ethiopia, and it is divided into longberry, shortberry, and mocha coffee.
- Yemeni coffee: There are many types of Yemeni coffee, such as mountain, rain, and bar'i, and it is widely used in all Arab countries, especially the Gulf.
- Northern coffee: It is characterized by its dark color, as it undergoes a high degree of roasting. Milk is sometimes added to it, and it is served in Saudi Arabia with dates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the name of coffee in the past?
Coffee has many names, such as “Bun”, “Shadhiliyya”, “Mur”, “Kaif”, “Tabkha”, “Bariyya”, and others.
What are the names of Arabic coffee cups?
It has many names, such as guest cup, sword cup, knight cup, as well as cup of pleasure and cup of heif.
What are the types of Saudi coffee?
There are many types of Saudi coffee, depending on the degree of roasting, such as blonde, green, black, and others, according to many other factors.
What types of coffee are used in Arabic coffee?
There are many types, such as Yemeni, Northern, and Harari.