The year 2022 was named the Year of Saudi Coffee, celebrating this cultural and historical beverage in the Kingdom, a symbol of warm welcome and hospitality.
Coffee in Saudi Arabia is no longer just a cultural element, reflecting customs and traditions, but also an important commercial and economic factor, and a source of income for many people in the Kingdom.
History of Saudi coffee
There are different accounts of the history of coffee's introduction to the Kingdom. Some historians believe it first appeared in 905 AH (1500 AD), when it moved from Yemen to Mecca and then to Medina.
Another story tells of coffee's introduction to Saudi Arabia by Ottoman merchants, who carried it with them on their trade to Jeddah, which was and remains a major commercial center in the Kingdom.
Saudi coffee registered with UNESCO
In 1437 AH (2015 AD), Saudi coffee was registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). At that time, it was called "Arabic coffee," referring to Arabic coffee in general, not just Saudi coffee.
Arabic coffee is called Saudi coffee.
As part of the celebration of the Year of Saudi Coffee, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to popularize the term "Saudi coffee" to refer to coffee in the Kingdom, instead of "Arabic coffee," in all locations and entities, including merchants, retail outlets, stores, and more.
Types of Saudi coffee
Before discussing the history of Saudi coffee, it is important to understand its types, which can be divided into several categories, as follows:
roasting degree
There are many types of coffee in Saudi Arabia, which differ in their degree of roasting, as follows:
- Blonde coffee: This is the most popular and widely available type in the Kingdom. It has a lower roasting and caffeine content, but retains a significant degree of acidity and a more natural flavor, similar to the blonde coffee offered by Thana.
- Black coffee: This type of coffee is roasted to a high degree, until it turns black. It retains a large percentage of caffeine, but its acidity is lower.
- Green coffee: This coffee is made from unroasted green coffee beans, which retain their natural elements. It is consumed by people who want to follow a diet.
Regions and preparation methods
There are many ways to prepare Saudi coffee, depending on the 13 regions, whether northern, southern, eastern, central, or others, as follows:
- Eastern Region: Bring water to a boil, then add ground coffee and saffron for a certain period of time. Then add cardamom for 3 minutes before drinking.
- Middle region: Bring water to a boil, then add coffee and flavorings except for cardamom. Leave it on the heat for a certain period of time, then add cardamom and leave it on the heat for 3 minutes, then drink it.
- Northern region: Add water to the fire until it boils, then add the ground coffee and leave it on the fire for 3 minutes before adding the cardamom, then drink it.
Flavors
Saudi coffee is prepared with many flavors, such as the following:
- Cardamom: Cardamom is a staple flavoring added to all types of Saudi coffee, distinguished by its fragrant, strong, and rich flavor.
- Cloves: Cloves are added to coffee for those who love hot, spicy flavors, as they have an aromatic flavor. For example, the Saudi coffee capsules with cloves , offered by Thana Store, are available.
- Saffron: Saffron has a unique and rich flavor, so it is often added to coffee to give it a strong aroma and special flavor.
Year of Saudi Coffee
Coffee holds special importance in Saudi Arabia among citizens and officials, prompting Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan to declare 2022 the Year of Saudi Coffee.
This announcement, part of the Quality of Life Program, one of the programs to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030, celebrates the cultural and popular heritage of coffee in the Kingdom, reflecting its role as a fundamental element of hospitality and warm welcome.
Objectives of naming 2022 the Year of Saudi Coffee
The move to designate 2022 as the Year of Saudi Coffee aims to achieve several cultural and economic goals, including the following:
- Highlighting the unique way Saudi society deals with coffee, especially in terms of preparation and presentation.
- Promoting the status of Saudi coffee locally and internationally, as it is a cultural and historical symbol of the Kingdom.
- Celebrating Saudi coffee by introducing it and its history as a cultural and historical product of the Kingdom.
- Expressing authentic Saudi generosity and hospitality through the offering of Saudi coffee and its distinctive customs.
- Reflecting the connection between coffee and its culture and Saudi identity, at the levels of cultivation, preparation, presentation, and consumption.
- Highlighting the cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia, through the different ways coffee is prepared and served according to each region.
- Highlighting Saudi Khawlani coffee as an authentic Saudi product, and highlighting the tools, ingredients, and methods of preparing and serving Saudi coffee.
Celebrations of the Year of Saudi Coffee
This year, the Saudi Ministry of Culture organized numerous cultural events, entertainment activities, and initiatives. This was followed in 2023 by the Saudi Coffee Festival and the celebration of International Coffee Day.
The Ministry has succeeded in attracting numerous participants to these events by organizing numerous competitions with valuable prizes, as well as cultural and poetry evenings related to this great cultural heritage of the Kingdom.
Saudi Coffee Year logo
The Saudi Coffee Year logo is uniquely designed, featuring a cup bearing the emblem of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: two crossed swords and a palm tree. The two swords symbolize strength, resilience, and sacrifice, while the palm tree symbolizes vitality, growth, and prosperity.
Best Coffee Shop in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom is home to many shops offering a variety of coffee, such as Thana, which is considered one of the best coffee and tea shops in Saudi Arabia .
The store offers high-quality coffee products , such as Saudi coffee with cardamom and Saudi coffee with blonde, in addition to medium blonde coffee capsules, Saudi coffee capsules with cloves, Saudi coffee capsules with cardamom, and Saudi coffee capsules with saffron.
Shop the best coffee deals in Saudi Arabia
Thana Store offers a wide range of coffee and tea deals in Saudi Arabia , with great discounts, as follows:
- Samra and Cardamom Package: Includes 4 teas (2 northern teas + 2 coal teas) + 1 cardamom coffee bag as a gift.
- Morning Coffee Package: Includes 4 coffee capsules with various flavors (Saudi coffee with cardamom - Saudi coffee with cloves - Saudi coffee with saffron - moderate blonde coffee) + a free gift of Northern tea.
- Fah Al Majlis Package : Includes 4 capsules (Saudi coffee with cardamom - Saudi coffee with cloves - Saudi coffee with saffron - moderate blonde coffee) + 2 coffee bags (Saudi coffee with cardamom - Saudi blonde coffee) + 2 free teas (Northern tea - Jamr tea).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Saudi Coffee Day?
There is no specific international coffee day for Saudi Arabia, but the Kingdom, like other countries, celebrates International Coffee Day on October 1 of each year.
When did coffee cultivation begin in Saudi Arabia?
There is no specific date, but historians believe that coffee cultivation in Saudi Arabia began around 300 years ago.
Read also: Everything you need to know about coffee: its history, types, and benefits.