Arabic Coffee Guide in Bahrain: How to Make and Serve Gahwa
What Is Arabic Coffee (Gahwa)?
Arabic coffee, known in the Gulf as gahwa, is a symbol of hospitality across Bahrain and the Arabian Peninsula. It is lightly roasted coffee brewed with spices, most often cardamom, and sometimes saffron, cloves or rose water. It is golden to light brown in colour, aromatic and lighter in body than espresso.
In Bahrain, gahwa is served in homes, majlis gatherings, weddings and Eid visits. It is poured from a dallah, the traditional coffee pot, into a small handleless cup called a finjan, and is usually served with dates.
Arabic Coffee at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Roast | Light to medium-light, for a golden colour |
| Main spice | Cardamom, often with saffron or cloves |
| Brewing pot | Dallah (traditional coffee pot) |
| Cup | Finjan, a small cup without a handle |
| Served with | Dates |
How to Make Arabic Coffee at Home
- Boil about 3 cups of water in a pot or dallah.
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of lightly roasted, coarsely ground Arabic coffee and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the grounds settle for a minute.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of ground cardamom, and a few saffron threads if you like, then simmer for 1 to 2 more minutes.
- Let it rest, then pour slowly into a thermos or dallah, leaving the grounds behind.
Serving Etiquette in Bahrain
- The host or server holds the dallah in the left hand and the cups in the right.
- Each cup is filled only about a quarter to a third, so the coffee stays hot.
- Guests are served starting with the most senior or from the right.
- To show you have had enough, gently shake the empty cup from side to side before handing it back.
Explore Specialty Coffee from Gahwa.co
Common Questions
What does gahwa mean?
Gahwa is the Gulf Arabic word for coffee. It usually refers to traditional Arabic coffee, lightly roasted and brewed with cardamom.
Why is Arabic coffee light in colour?
The beans are roasted lightly, and spices such as cardamom and saffron add a golden colour and floral aroma.
What is the difference between Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee?
Arabic coffee uses lightly roasted beans, is spiced with cardamom and is served without sugar. Turkish coffee uses dark-roasted, very finely ground coffee boiled with the grounds and is often sweetened.
Why do you shake the cup when drinking Arabic coffee?
Gently shaking the empty finjan is a polite signal to the host that you do not want a refill.
