Iraq
In Iraq, coffee is an integral part of hospitality and social life, with deep roots in Arab culture. While traditional methods are revered, modern coffee shops are also gaining popularity in urban centers.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Iraq and what's in them:
Qahwa (قهوة - Arabic Coffee)
What it is: This is the most traditional and culturally significant coffee in Iraq, similar to what's found across the Arabian Peninsula. It's a lightly roasted, highly spiced, and typically unsweetened brew. It's offered as a first gesture of welcome in homes and traditional establishments.
Ingredients:
Light to medium roasted Arabica coffee beans: The beans are often roasted to a lighter color than Turkish coffee, giving the final brew a golden to light brown hue.
Water
Cardamom (هيل - "Hail" or "Heel"): This is the most crucial and defining spice. Green cardamom pods are often lightly crushed and added during the brewing process, giving the coffee its distinctive fragrant aroma and taste.
Saffron (زعفران - "Za'faran") (optional but common): A small pinch of saffron threads can be added for a subtle golden color and a delicate floral note, especially for special occasions.
Cloves (قرنفل - "Qaranful") (optional): Sometimes a tiny amount of cloves might be included for an additional layer of warm spice.
Rose water (ماء الورد - "Ma' Ward") (optional): A few drops can be added at the very end of brewing for an aromatic finish.
Preparation: Qahwa is traditionally prepared in a "dallah", a distinctively shaped long-spouted coffee pot. The coffee, water, and spices are gently simmered, never brought to a rolling boil, to extract flavors without bitterness. It's often steeped for a while to allow the grounds to settle.
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 (تمر - "Tamar") or other sweets to balance its inherent bitterness.
How to order it: You would simply ask for "Qahwa" (pronounced "gah-wa" or "qah-wa"). It's typically served unsweetened, so you usually don't need to specify sugar. If you do want it sweetened, you'd ask for "Qahwa bi shekar" (coffee with sugar), but this is less traditional.
Turkish Coffee (قهوة تركية - Qahwat Turkiyya)
What it is: Similar to Arabic coffee in its unfiltered nature, but Turkish coffee generally uses darker roasted beans and is brewed to produce a thick, rich foam on top. It's typically stronger and denser than Qahwa.
Ingredients:
Finely ground dark-roasted coffee beans: Ground to an extremely fine, powdery consistency.
Cold water
Sugar (optional): Sugar is usually added during the brewing process. You can specify:
Sada (سادة) - plain/without sugar
Mazbout (مضبوط) - medium sweet
Helweh (حلوة) - sweet
Cardamom (optional): While less prevalent than in Qahwa, some variations or personal preferences might include a hint of cardamom.
Preparation: Brewed in a "cezve" (جذوة) or "rakwe" (ركوة), a small, long-handled pot. The coffee, water, and sugar (if desired) are slowly heated, allowing a rich foam to rise. It's lifted off the heat multiple times to develop the foam without boiling over.
Serving: Served in small demitasse cups, with the grounds settling at the bottom. The foam is considered an important part of the drink.
How to order it: You would ask for "Qahwat Turkiyya" or simply "Turkish coffee," and then specify your sweetness preference.
European/Western-Style Coffee
In Iraq's major cities, especially Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, modern cafes have become increasingly popular, particularly among the youth and urban professionals. These establishments offer a wide range of international coffee drinks.
Espresso (اسبريسو - Espresso): A concentrated shot of coffee.
Americano (امريكانو - Americano): Espresso diluted with hot water.
Cappuccino (كابتشينو - Cappuccino): Espresso with steamed milk and a generous layer of foamed milk.
Latte (لاتيه - Latte): Espresso with more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Often comes in various flavored versions (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, etc.).
Flat White (فلات وايت - Flat White): Espresso with finely textured steamed milk, less foam than a cappuccino.
Mocha (موكا - Mocha): Espresso with chocolate syrup and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream.
Cold Brew (كولد برو - Cold Brew): Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate.
Iced Coffee/Iced Latte (آيس كوفي/آيس لاتيه - Ice Coffee/Ice Latte): Chilled versions of popular coffee drinks, often made with espresso, milk, and ice.
Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee (قهوة فلتر / قهوة مقطرة - Qahwa Filter / Qahwa Muqattara): Less common than espresso-based drinks but available in some specialty cafes.
How to order these: You would generally use their English names, as they are widely understood in these modern cafes. For example, "Latte, min fadlak" (Latte, please, if addressing a male) or "Latte, min fadlik" (if addressing a female).
When visiting Iraq, trying the traditional "Qahwa" is a must to experience the deep cultural significance and hospitality associated with coffee in the region.
*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.