Monday, November 24, 2008

Ahlan and Welcome to this Blog

Let the tales of the thousand and one coffee cups begin ...




Arabic Coffee [gaH-wah]
To make Arabic coffee you'll need a cooking pot, a flask and some heat. Try to buy your ready mixed Arabic coffee in, or from, Saudi Arabia; their flavour is more punchy, far more alive and clear tasting.

You'll need 1 tablespoon of the mixture for each glass of cold water or cup. Combine the mixture and water together in a saucepan and put it on the heat/fire until it boils. Reduce the heat/flame and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Whilst the liquid is cooking, add ¼ teaspoon of crushed or ground cardamoms [Hail] for each 1 glass of liquid into the flask. Pour the coffee into the flask, making sure to pour slowly and carefully as the coffee will be hot and sometimes air bubbles form in the flask.

Wait half and hour for the flavour to fully develop and then serve half a coffee cup, piping hot to your guests. Remember to always accept Arabic coffee with your right hand even if you're left handed.


Urban Legend
When you've finished drinking and have had enough coffee you should shake the cup back and forth to let the person pouring know you've finished drinking. I remember someone thinking this same rule would apply to all crockery when you were full. This lady picked up her empty plate in both hands and shook it. NO NO NO; the hosts found it highly amusing to see the westerner attempt to rock their plate from side to side.

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