Mauritania
Mauritania's beverage culture is heavily dominated by tea (especially green tea, prepared with a ceremonial flair, often involving multiple pours and a lot of foam, called ataya). Coffee is consumed, but it's generally less central to social rituals than tea. However, you can find coffee in various forms, particularly in the capital, Nouakchott, and other urban areas.
Here are the different ways to order a coffee in Mauritania and what's in them:
Traditional Mauritanian Coffee (often just "Café" or "Qahwa"):
This style is strong, unfiltered, and often spiced.
What's in it: Typically made with a dark-roasted, finely ground coffee (often robusta). A key characteristic is the inclusion of cardamom, sometimes other spices like ginger, and a significant amount of sugar. It's brewed by directly boiling the coffee grounds in water, similar to Turkish or Arabic coffee. The grounds settle at the bottom.
How it's made: Prepared in a small pot, usually over a charcoal stove, and brought to a boil multiple times to create a strong, foamy brew.
How to order: You can simply ask for "Café" (French) or "Qahwa" (Arabic). Expect it to be sweet and strong, and you might need to specify if you want less sugar ("moins de sucre" in French or "qaleel sukkur" in Arabic).
Instant Coffee (Nescafé):
This is a very common and convenient option across Mauritania, found in homes, small shops, and many basic eateries. "Nescafé" is often used as a generic term for any instant coffee brand.
What's in it: Soluble coffee granules dissolved in hot water. It's almost always served with sugar and often with powdered milk (like Nido) or fresh milk if available.
How to order: "Nescafé." You can ask for "avec du lait" (with milk) or "avec du sucre" (with sugar) in French.
Espresso:
In modern cafes, hotels, and higher-end restaurants in Nouakchott and other larger cities, you will find espresso machines.
What's in it: A concentrated shot of dark-roasted coffee, made by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely ground coffee.
How to order: "Un espresso." You might also find "un double espresso" for a double shot.
Cappuccino:
A popular espresso-based drink commonly available in urban cafes.
What's in it: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
How to order: "Un cappuccino."
Café Latte (or "Latte"):
Also found in modern cafes, known for its creamier texture.
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.
How to order: "Un latte" or "Un café latte."
Americano:
A common choice for those who prefer a longer black coffee from an espresso base.
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water.
How to order: "Un Americano."
Café au Lait:
While not a specific espresso drink, this term is understood in French-influenced Mauritania as coffee served with a generous amount of hot milk.
What's in it: Brewed coffee (could be traditional or drip) mixed with hot milk.
How to order: "Un café au lait."
Key things to remember when ordering coffee in Mauritania:
Tea Dominance: Tea (ataya) is culturally more significant and widely consumed than coffee. Don't be surprised if you're offered tea first or more frequently.
Sweetness: Mauritanians generally prefer their coffee sweet. If you want less sugar, specify "moins de sucre" (less sugar) or "sans sucre" (without sugar) in French.
Language: French is widely spoken in commercial and urban settings, making it easy to order using French terms. Arabic is also prevalent.
Patience: In more local establishments, service might be leisurely. Embrace the relaxed pace.
The coffee scene in Mauritania provides options ranging from the traditional, strong, and spiced local brew to the internationally recognized espresso beverages.
*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.