Take gahwa the Saudi way: small cups and dates
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Photo: Peter Dowley from Dubai, United Arab Emirates · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About this tip
When someone offers Saudi coffee, say yes, because it is a gesture of hospitality rather than a menu item. Gahwa is lightly roasted to a golden colour, spiced with cardamom and often saffron or cloves, and poured from a long-spouted dallah into small cups. It usually comes with dates, which balance the bitterness. Expect a few sips at a time and hand the cup back when you have had enough.
Where
Take gahwa the Saudi way: small cups and datesNajdi-style restaurants and cafes across Riyadh
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