Arabic coffee, or qahwa, is the cup of welcome across the Middle East. It is light, fragrant with cardamom, and served in small cups with dates or sweets. With instant Arabic coffee you can have a proper cup in 30 seconds, no pot needed.
The 30-second way: instant Arabic coffee
All the Arabic coffee we carry is instant, so there's nothing to boil or strain.
- Bring water to Boil.
- Add the amount shown on the pack (or one sachet) to a 1 liter of water .
- Pour in the water, stir, and serve.
Pick your style:
- Al Samman Arabic Coffee 400g — a classic jar for everyday cups.
- Al Samman Gulf Coffee 450g — Gulf-style, with cardamom and saffron already blended in.
- Al Samman Gulf Coffee sachets (12 × 10g) — single servings, great for the office or travel.
The traditional stovetop way
If you'd like to brew it the old way with ground (not instant) coffee and a small pot or dallah:
- Boil 3 cups water, take it off the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons ground Arabic coffee.
- Simmer on low for 10 to 12 minutes, lifting it off the heat if it foams up.
- Rest 2 minutes, add 1 to 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom (and a pinch of saffron if you like), rest 2 more minutes.
- Pour slowly into a thermos, leaving the grounds behind.
How to serve it
Arabic coffee is served without sugar, in small handleless cups called finjan. Fill each cup only a third of the way. That's tradition, so the coffee stays hot and your guest is offered more. The sweetness comes on the side: dates, or maamoul cookies like Jawhart Alsharq Date Maamoul 500g.
Tips for the best cup
- Want more cardamom? Like it extra fragrant? Stir a pinch of ground cardamom into your instant cup.
- Light vs. dark roast. Gulf-style coffee uses a light roast and tastes golden and mild. Levantine coffee is darker and bolder. Try both and see which you prefer.
- Keep it warm. A thermos keeps a pot hot for guests through an afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arabic coffee the same as Turkish coffee? No. Turkish coffee is ground very fine, boiled with the grounds and drunk thick. Arabic coffee is lighter, spiced with cardamom and strained.
Does Arabic coffee have caffeine? Yes, though cups are small, so each serving has less than a regular mug of coffee.
Where can I buy Arabic coffee in the US? Browse our full Coffee & Tea collection. We ship across the US, with free shipping on orders over $50.