Coffee holds great importance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at both the popular and governmental levels. This is reflected in the organization of the Saudi Coffee Festival, the Ministry of Culture's designation of 2022 as the Year of Coffee in the Kingdom, and the exhibitions organized to celebrate this beverage and mark its International Day.
History of Saudi coffee
There are multiple historical accounts of the first appearance of coffee in Saudi Arabia. Some historians believe that it moved from Yemen to Mecca and then to Medina in 905 AH/1500 AD.
Another historical account suggests that coffee first appeared in the Kingdom in the 16th century AD, when Ottoman merchants brought various types of coffee to the markets of Jeddah.
Saudi coffee registered with UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included Arabic coffee, particularly Saudi coffee, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.
Year of Saudi Coffee
In celebration of coffee in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Culture has decided to name 2022 the Year of Coffee. The Ministry of Commerce has also decided to rename coffee in the Kingdom "Saudi coffee" instead of "Arabic coffee."
Saudi Coffee Festival
From September 28 to October 1, 2023, the Culinary Arts Commission organized the Saudi Coffee Festival, located opposite the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh on the eastern side. The festival aims to achieve several goals, including the following:
- Highlighting coffee as an authentic cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- The role of coffee in Saudi culture as a symbol of hospitality and tradition.
- Promoting the presence of Saudi coffee locally and internationally.
- Introducing Saudi society to the history of coffee and how it is grown in the Kingdom.
- Educating Saudi society about coffee customs and the principles of its preparation and presentation.
Saudi Coffee Festival Events
The Saudi Coffee Festival featured numerous cultural events and entertainment activities, including:
- The Journey of a Coffee Tree: A film that covers everything related to coffee, from planting it to serving it in a cup, presented on augmented reality screens.
- Ahl Al Dalal: This event aimed to introduce the taste and flavors of Saudi coffee from various regions, including the western, eastern, northern, and southern regions.
- Modern Coffee Roastery: This event reflected the journey of turning coffee beans into coffee, covering how coffee beans are processed into coffee and how to handle the different components of coffee.
- Restaurant Corner: This corner houses several Saudi restaurants, which visitors flock to for a variety of meals throughout the day.
- Children's Oasis Corner: This corner is dedicated to children and includes coffee planting, coffee drawing, coloring, photography, and other activities.
- Coffee Market: This market, part of the Saudi Coffee Festival, featured many of Saudi Arabia's most popular coffee shops and roasters, attracting a large number of visitors.
International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition
The Kingdom's interest in coffee is not limited to organizing the Saudi Coffee Festival. An international coffee and chocolate exhibition will also be held in 2024, and is scheduled to be held in 2025 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center from December 2 to 6.
The International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition brings together coffee and chocolate makers from more than 300 local and international companies, from over 40 countries around the world.
The exhibition aims to showcase the latest coffee products from around the world, exchange expertise among participants, promote local and international brands, and boost coffee sales.
Exhibition activities
The exhibition includes numerous activities, such as introducing the public to coffee making and barista techniques, interactive lectures on how to prepare and serve coffee, as well as coffee workshops, chocolate training courses, and various competitions.
International Coffee Day
The Kingdom celebrates International Coffee Day on October 1 of each year. The Saudi Ministry of Culture organizes numerous cultural and entertainment events, such as exhibitions and festivals, to promote Saudi coffee and educate the diverse community about this cultural beverage.
Best Coffee Shop in Saudi Arabia
Thana is one of the best coffee and tea shops in Saudi Arabia , offering a wide variety of high-quality Saudi coffee at competitive and reasonable prices. It also offers convenient quantities, such as large packs, small capsules, and other options.
The store offers different types of Saudi coffee, such as Saudi coffee with cardamom and Saudi coffee with blonde, as well as medium blonde coffee capsules , Saudi coffee capsules with cloves, Saudi coffee capsules with cardamom, and Saudi coffee capsules with saffron.
Shop now for the finest Saudi coffee.
Get the finest coffee products in Saudi Arabia , as well as the best types of northern tea and coal, from Thana Store and Factory, with fast delivery service to all regions of the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Saudi Coffee Festival?
The Saudi Coffee Festival will be held from September 28 to October 1, 2023, through the Culinary Arts Commission.
When is the coffee exhibition in Riyadh?
The Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition is being held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center from December 2 to 6.
When is Saudi Coffee Day?
Saudi Arabia celebrates International Coffee Day on October 1st of each year.
You may be interested in: Everything you need to know about coffee: its history, types, and benefits.