Tips for Ordering and Drinking Arabic/Turkish Coffee

Coffee is prepared and served quite differently in the Middle East than in its Western counterparts. The method of preparation is commonly known as "Turkish coffee" or "Arabic coffee". In the Middle East, coffee is called ahwa, and there are other variations depending on the dialect even though they are all very similar.

When ordering coffee, or when offered coffee, be sure to tell the server or host/hostess if you would like sugar. Sugar is actually added during the preparation, not after the coffee is done. Arabic coffee can be tart and many people like to add some sugar to cut the tartness. There are several variations with sugar in Arabic coffee:

awha sada: black coffee

ahwa ariha: lightly sweetened

ahwa mazboot: medium amount of sugar

ahwaziyada: very sweet

Learn how to make Turkish coffee and test out which you like best. Coffee is never served with cream or milk. There is a thick foam that is always at the top of the coffee. In many regions, if there is no foam, it is considered an insult. If you don't like the foam, you can carefully blow it back from your mouth as you sip.

Sip slowly! You may consume a lot of coffee grinds if you don't. Sipping slowly allows the grounds to settle to the bottom of the cup.