Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Saudi Qahwa)

A Middle Eastern style coffee brewed light and spiced with cardamom. It’s traditionally served in small cups without sugar. The coffee is boiled with crushed cardamom pods (and sometimes a touch of saffron) to produce a fragrant, golden-brown coffee often enjoyed alongside dates for sweetness.

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About This Recipe

A Middle Eastern style coffee brewed light and spiced with cardamom. It’s traditionally served in small cups without sugar. The coffee is boiled with crushed cardamom pods (and sometimes a touch of saffron) to produce a fragrant, golden-brown coffee often enjoyed alongside dates for sweetness.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons light-roast Arabic coffee (very coarsely ground)
  • 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • Pinch of saffron threads (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1In a pot or dallah (Arabic coffee pot), bring the water to a boil.
  2. 2Once boiling, add the coarsely ground Arabic coffee and crushed cardamom pods to the water. Reduce heat to low.
  3. 3Simmer the coffee gently for about 10–12 minutes. Do not let it boil over; it should just stay at a low simmer. If using saffron, add it in the last minute of simmering to infuse.
  4. 4Remove from heat and let the coffee grounds settle for a minute. You will notice the coffee is somewhat clear and amber in color.
  5. 5Carefully pour the coffee into small cups (finjals), leaving the grounds behind in the pot. Serve hot, traditionally with dates or sweets on the side instead of adding sugar to the coffee.

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