Arabic coffee (qahwa sada)

Origins and meaning

Coffee has been part of life in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant for centuries, and among the Bedouin of Jordan it became a central symbol of hospitality and honour. 'Qahwa sada' means 'plain coffee', referring to the fact that it is served without sugar. In the traditional Bedouin tent, the preparation of coffee was a public act: roasting the beans and grinding them in a wooden or brass mortar produced sounds and aromas that told neighbours a guest had arrived and was being welcomed.

Ingredients and how it is made

Arabic coffee is made from coffee beans that are roasted, often lightly, and then ground. The ground coffee is boiled in water for a long time, sometimes repeatedly, to make a strong, bitter brew. Crushed cardamom is added generously, and some families also add a little saffron or cloves. The coffee is allowed to settle, then carefully poured into a dallah, the traditional pot with a long curved spout, leaving the grounds behind. Some families prepare a large batch and keep it in a thermos to serve throughout the day.

How it is served and etiquette

The host or a younger family member stands holding the dallah in the left hand and a small stack of cups in the right. Only a small amount is poured into each cup. The coffee is offered first to the most senior or honoured guest, and it is received and drunk with the right hand. When you have had enough, gently shake the empty cup from side to side as you hand it back. If you simply return it without shaking, it will be refilled. Accepting at least one cup is considered polite.

Arabic coffee is served on many important occasions. At weddings and family gatherings, it is a sign of welcome. In the traditional jaha, when one family visits another to ask for a daughter's hand in marriage, the guests may wait to drink their coffee until their request has been accepted. At gatherings of condolence, unsweetened coffee is served to all who come to pay their respects.

Where to try it in Jordan

Visitors are most likely to be offered qahwa sada as guests in Jordanian homes, at Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum and other desert areas, and at cultural events and traditional restaurants. Some hotels and heritage sites also serve it as a gesture of welcome. In cities, you will see coffee vendors with large brass pots, though many of them serve a different, sweetened style of coffee, so it is worth asking for 'sada' if you want the traditional bitter version.

Related drinks and foods

Arabic coffee is often served with dates, whose sweetness balances the bitterness. It is also a common way to end a meal of mansaf. Jordan's other everyday hot drinks include sweet black tea with sage, and a thicker, sweeter boiled coffee, sometimes called Turkish coffee, made with finely ground beans and often flavoured with cardamom, and served in small cups with handles.

Frequently asked questions