Gahwa (Saudi Arabic Coffee with Cardamom and Saffron)
Local name: قهوة عربية
In short: Pale, lightly roasted coffee simmered with cardamom, cloves and a few threads of saffron, poured in small cups and served with dates. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 8 kcal
Gahwa is the pale, fragrant coffee that welcomes every guest in Saudi Arabia. The beans are roasted lightly, so the drink is golden rather than dark, and it is flavored with cardamom, cloves and a little saffron. It is poured into small handleless cups, never filled more than a quarter, and offered with dates. Refills keep coming until the guest gently shakes the cup to say enough.
Instructions
- Bring 600 ml (2 1/2 cups) of the water to a boil in a small pot. Add the ground coffee and simmer over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, without stirring, until it smells nutty and a light foam forms.
- In a second small pot, bring the remaining 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) water to a boil with the cardamom, cloves and saffron. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Strain the spiced water into a pre-warmed thermos or dallah (Arabic coffee pot).
- Pour the coffee in through a fine strainer or cloth, leaving the grounds behind, and let the coffee steep with the spices for 5 minutes.
- Pour about 50 ml (a quarter of a cup) into each small cup and serve right away with dates. Offer a refill until your guest shakes the cup.
Tips
- Look for Arabic coffee labeled light or blonde roast, often sold pre-ground with cardamom. Regular dark roast makes a bitter, heavy gahwa.
- Do not boil it hard, which turns it bitter. For a sweeter version, serve with sugar on the side, as many hosts do, rather than adding it to the pot.
Questions and answers
How is gahwa different from Turkish coffee?
Gahwa uses much lighter roasted coffee, is brewed in a larger quantity, strained and flavored with cardamom and saffron. It is also served unsweetened in tiny cups, while Turkish coffee is dark, foamy and often sweet.
Why is only a little coffee poured in each cup?
It is a sign of hospitality. The host keeps topping up the small amount so the coffee stays hot, and it is polite to accept a few cups.
Can I make gahwa without a dallah?
Yes. Use any small pot and a thermos, which keeps the coffee hot for guests. A saucepan and a fine strainer work fine.
How long does it take to make Gahwa (Saudi Arabic Coffee with Cardamom and Saffron)?
About 30 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gahwa (Saudi Arabic Coffee with Cardamom and Saffron)?
About 8 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 8 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
