Bahrain
In Bahrain, coffee holds a significant place in culture and hospitality, much like in other Gulf countries. You'll find a blend of traditional Arabic coffee alongside modern Western-style options.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Bahrain and what's in them:
Qahwa (Arabic Coffee)
What it is: This is the traditional coffee of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf. It's a lightly roasted, highly spiced, and often unsweetened coffee. It's served as a symbol of hospitality.
Ingredients:
Lightly roasted Arabica coffee beans: The beans are often roasted to a light to medium brown, which gives the coffee a lighter color compared to Turkish coffee.
Water: The coffee is brewed with water in a traditional pot.
Cardamom: This is the most essential spice, providing the distinctive fragrant aroma and flavor. Green cardamom pods are typically crushed and added during brewing.
Saffron (optional but common): A small pinch of saffron threads can be added for a golden color and a subtle floral note.
Rose water (optional): A few drops of distilled rose water can be added at the end for an extra aromatic touch.
Cloves (optional): Sometimes a tiny pinch of cloves is included for added warmth and spice.
Preparation: Qahwa is typically prepared in a "dallah," a traditional long-spouted coffee pot. The coffee, water, and spices are simmered gently, ensuring it doesn't boil vigorously. The process aims to extract flavor without bitterness.
Serving: Served in small, handle-less cups called "finjans," usually filled only about one-third of the way. It's customary to serve multiple small refills. Qahwa is almost always served with dates (to balance the bitterness) or other sweets.
How to order it: You would ask for "Qahwa" (pronounced "gah-wa" or "qah-wa"). It's usually served unsweetened, so you don't typically specify sugar unless you're in a more modern setting that might offer it.
Turkish Coffee (Türk Qəhvəsi or Ahweh Turkiah)
What it is: While similar to Qahwa in being unfiltered, Turkish coffee uses darker roasted beans and is brewed to create a distinct foam on top. It's generally stronger and thicker than Qahwa.
Ingredients:
Finely ground dark-roasted coffee beans: Ground to a very fine, powdery consistency.
Cold water
Sugar (optional): Sugar is often added during the brewing process. You can specify:
Sada (سادة) - without sugar (plain)
Mazbout (مضبوط) - medium sweet
Helweh (حلوة) - sweet
Cardamom (optional): Some variations might include a hint of cardamom.
Preparation: Brewed in a "cezve" or "rakwe" (small, long-handled pot). The coffee, water, and sugar (if desired) are heated slowly, creating a rich foam. It's brought to a near-boil several times to develop the foam.
Serving: Served in small demitasse cups, with the grounds settling at the bottom.
How to order it: You might ask for "Turkish coffee" or "Ahweh Turkiah" (Arabic for Turkish coffee), and then specify your sweetness preference.
European/Western-Style Coffee
Bahrain's modern cafes, particularly in cities like Manama, offer a vast selection of international coffee drinks, comparable to cafes in any major global city.
Espresso: A strong, concentrated shot of coffee.
Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a generous layer of foamed milk.
Latte: Espresso with more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Often comes in various flavored versions (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, etc.).
Flat White: Espresso with finely textured steamed milk, less foam than a cappuccino.
Mocha: Espresso with chocolate syrup and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream.
Macchiato: Espresso "stained" with a dollop of foamed milk.
Cold Brew: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate.
Iced Coffee/Iced Latte: Chilled versions of popular coffee drinks, often made with espresso, milk, and ice.
Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee: Less common than espresso-based drinks but available in some establishments.
Specialty Coffee: Many cafes focus on single-origin beans, specific roast profiles, and various manual brewing methods (pour-over, AeroPress, Chemex).
How to order these: You would typically use their English names, as they are widely understood in modern cafes.
When in Bahrain, experiencing traditional "Qahwa" is highly recommended for a taste of authentic local culture and hospitality.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.