Lebanon
Lebanon has a rich and diverse coffee culture, blending its deep-rooted Middle Eastern traditions with strong European influences. This means you'll find a wide spectrum of ways to order coffee, from the intensely flavored traditional brew to a vast array of modern espresso-based drinks.
Here are the different ways to order a coffee in Lebanon and what's in them:
Ahweh (قهوة - Lebanese Coffee / Turkish Coffee)
What it is: This is the quintessential Lebanese coffee, almost identical to Turkish or Greek coffee. It's a very strong, unfiltered brew known for its rich flavor and thick foam. It's often simply called "Ahweh" (pronounced "ah-weh") or "Ahweh Turki" (Turkish coffee).
Ingredients:
Finely ground dark-roasted coffee beans: Typically Arabica beans, ground to an extremely fine, powdery consistency. Brands like Café Najjar are very popular.
Cold water
Sugar (optional): Sugar is usually added during the brewing process. You must specify your sweetness preference when ordering:
Saada - plain/without sugar (often called "murra" - bitter)
Mazbout - medium sweet ("just right" or balanced)
Helwe - sweet
Cardamom (optional but common): A distinct and popular addition, often ground and added with the coffee for a warm, aromatic spice note. This is what often differentiates it from pure Turkish coffee in local preference.
Preparation: Made in a "rakwe" or "cezve", a small, long-handled pot. The coffee, water, and sugar/cardamom (if desired) are combined and slowly heated. The coffee is brought to a near-boil several times, allowing a rich foam to rise, without boiling over. This process aims to create layers of foam and a concentrated flavor.
Serving: Served in small demitasse cups called "finjans". The coffee grounds settle at the bottom and are not meant to be consumed. It's often accompanied by a glass of water and sometimes a piece of sweet pastry or Turkish delight.
How to order it: "Ahweh," then specify your sugar preference: "Ahweh saada," "Ahweh mazbout," or "Ahweh helwe." If you want cardamom, you might add "ma'a hail" (with cardamom), though it's often assumed.
Ahweh Bayda (قهوة بيضاء - "White Coffee")
What it is: This is not actually coffee. It's a caffeine-free, soothing hot drink often served after a meal.
Ingredients:
Boiling water
Orange blossom water (ماء الزهر - "Ma' Zaher"): The primary flavoring agent, giving it a distinctive floral aroma and taste.
Sugar (optional): Added to taste.
Preparation: Simply hot water infused with orange blossom water and sweetened.
Serving: In a regular tea or coffee cup.
How to order it: "Ahweh Bayda."
European/Western-Style Coffee
Lebanon, particularly Beirut, has a thriving modern café scene, influenced by European trends. You'll find international coffee chains and numerous local specialty coffee shops offering a wide range of popular coffee drinks.
Espresso (إسبريسو - Espresso): A strong, concentrated shot of coffee, the base for many other drinks.
Americano (أمريكانو - 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. Extremely popular, and often comes in various flavored versions:
Spanish Latte: A very popular sweetened latte, typically made with condensed milk.
Vanilla Latte, Caramel Latte, Hazelnut Latte: Common flavor additions.
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.
Macchiato (ماكياتو - Macchiato): Espresso "stained" with a dollop of foamed milk.
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.
Ice Coffee or Blended Coffee: A sweet, blended, frozen coffee drink.
Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee (قهوة فلتر - Qahwa Filter): Less common than espresso-based drinks in typical cafes, but available in specialty coffee shops that focus on different brewing methods (e.g., pour-over, Chemex).
How to order these: You would generally use their English names, often with a slight Arabic accent, as they are widely understood in modern cafes. For example, "Latte, min fadlak" (Latte, please, if addressing a male) or "Latte, min fadlik" (if addressing a female). Most cafes also offer a variety of milk alternatives (soy, almond, oat) and sugar/sweetener options.
When in Lebanon, it's highly recommended to experience both the traditional "Ahweh" for a taste of authentic local culture and hospitality, and to explore the diverse modern coffee scene.
*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.