United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates, the coffee scene is a dynamic blend of deep-rooted Bedouin traditions and a thriving, ultra-modern international cafe culture. You'll find everything from the ritualistic serving of light, spiced Arabic coffee to a vast array of global coffee trends.
Here are the different ways to order a coffee in the UAE and what's in them:
Qahwa (قهوة - Arabic Coffee / Emirati Coffee)
What it is: This is the most traditional and culturally significant coffee in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf. It's a lightly roasted, highly aromatic, and typically unsweetened brew. It's the quintessential symbol of Emirati hospitality and is always offered to guests in homes, government offices, business meetings, and traditional majlises (gathering places).
Ingredients:
Light to medium roasted Arabica coffee beans: The beans are roasted to a very light, golden, or light brown color, contributing to the coffee's light hue. They are typically finely ground.
Water
Cardamom (هيل - "Hail" or "Heel"): This is the paramount spice and a defining characteristic. Green cardamom pods, often lightly crushed, are added during brewing, imparting its distinctive fragrant aroma and warm flavor.
Saffron (زعفران - "Za'faran") (optional but common): A small pinch of saffron threads is frequently added for a subtle golden color and a delicate floral note, especially for special occasions or to enhance presentation.
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 for an aromatic finish, contributing to the unique Emirati flavour.
Preparation: Traditionally prepared in a "dallah", a distinctively shaped, long-spouted coffee pot. The coffee, water, and spices are gently simmered over low heat, 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-fourth to one-third of the way. It's customary to serve multiple small refills. Qahwa is almost always accompanied by fresh dates (تمر - "Tamar") or local sweets like Emirati luqaimat or halwa to balance its inherent bitterness.
How to order it: You would typically just ask for "Qahwa." As it's traditionally unsweetened, you don't usually specify sugar. When offered, accepting the first cup is a sign of respect, and you can signal you've had enough by gently shaking your finjan.
Turkish Coffee (قهوة تركية - Qahwat Turkiyya)
What it is: This is a strong, unfiltered brew that uses darker roasted beans and is prepared to produce a thick, rich foam on top. While distinct from Arabic Qahwa, it's also very popular in the UAE, found in many cafes and restaurants.
Ingredients:
Finely ground dark-roasted coffee beans: Ground to an extremely fine, powdery consistency.
Cold water
Sugar (optional): Sugar is typically added during the brewing process. You can specify your preference:
Sada - plain/without sugar
Wassat - medium sweet
Helwe - sweet
Cardamom (optional): While not always included, Turkish coffee with cardamom is a common variation found in the UAE.
Preparation: Brewed in a "cezve" or "rakwe", 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 highly valued.
How to order it: You would ask for "Qahwat Turkiyya" or simply "Turkish coffee," and then specify your sweetness preference: "Turkiyya sada," "Turkiyya wassat," or "Turkiyya helwe." You might also specify "bi hail" (with cardamom) if you prefer.
European/Western-Style Coffee (Specialty Coffee)
The UAE, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boasts a highly developed and competitive modern coffee market. It's home to countless international coffee chains and a booming scene of local, independent, and often high-end specialty coffee shops.
Espresso (اسبريسو - Espresso): A strong, concentrated shot of coffee, forming the base for many other drinks.
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. Extremely popular, often available in various flavored versions:
Spanish Latte: A highly popular sweetened latte, typically made with condensed milk. This is a staple in many UAE cafes.
Vanilla Latte, Caramel Latte, Hazelnut Latte, Pistachio Latte (popular locally): Common flavor additions.
Flat White (فلات وايت - Flat White): Espresso with finely textured steamed milk, less foam than a cappuccino. Specialty cafes often highlight single-origin beans and specific brew methods for this.
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.
Cortado: Espresso cut with a small amount of warm steamed milk.
Cold Brew (كولد برو - Cold Brew): Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smoother, less acidic concentrate. This is very popular in the UAE.
Iced Coffee / Iced Latte (آيس كوفي/آيس لاتيه - Ice Coffee/Ice Latte): Chilled versions of popular coffee drinks, made with espresso, milk, and ice.
Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee (قهوة فلتر / قهوة مقطرة - Qahwa Filter / Qahwa Muqattara): Increasingly available in specialty coffee shops, often prepared using methods like pour-over (V60), Chemex, or AeroPress, allowing for appreciation of specific bean origins and roast profiles.
Affogato: A scoop of vanilla ice cream drowned with a shot of hot espresso.
How to order these: You would generally use their English names, as they are widely understood in modern cafes. For example, "Latte, please" (often "Latte, min fadlak" if addressing a male, or "Latte, min fadlik" if addressing a female). Most cafes offer a variety of milk alternatives (dairy-free options like soy, almond, oat) and various sugar/sweetener options.
*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.