Instructions: Arabic coffee can be prepared in various ways, but always contains more cardamom than coffee, and no sugar (its made from green coffee beans and has a truly UNIQUE flavor, once described to me as Clorox bleach). It is the traditional welcoming drink served on every truly Arabic occasion such as weddings, receptions, gatherings, meetings, and camel races (also at any gathering of more than four people). It is served almost immediately to the guests on arrival, usually before the meal (Parties start about 9 pm, the meal begins about midnight.

On the ladies side, the women make a mad rush to the food, eat very quickly, and leave immediately. Coffee goes around twice, then hot tea is brought out, it goes around once, maybe twice. Stuffed dates, some with sesame seeds, some without, are passed out with the coffee.

Belgium chocolates are presented to the guests with the tea. The chocolates are individually wrapped and brought around in a large basket by a maid. Only one or two chocolates are allowed. These were really wonderful, just about the best part of the party and Im not even a chocolate fancier). It should be served from the traditional pot called the dallah (which has a chunk of fiberous material stuck in the spout to serve as a filter) into very small Arabic coffee cups filled only half full (these cups hold maybe half a cup of liquid anyway but when you have to drink the coffee it seems like a LOT more). The server then goes around with the pot to refill any cup that is empty, and continues to refill cups until the guest gently wobbles his cup to indicate he has had enough. It is customary to take 2 or 3 cups. More than three is greedy, less than two is not polite (this is no joke. One way to upset your hostess real fast is to wobble after choking down the first cup. This is why the dates are so important. Without them to help kill the taste of the coffee, most of us would never have gotten to the tea part of the ritual, let alone the meal).

GAHWA `ARABIYAH Arabic Coffee

1 level Tbsp Arabic coffee 2 level Tbsp coarsely ground cardamom 2 cups water

Put the coffee in a pan and warm it on a low heat for a few minutes, mixing with a spoon. Add the water, bring to a boil, and boil 3 or 4 minutes. Pour the boiled coffee through a filter into the dallah and add the cardamom. Return to the heat, bring to a boil once more, then simmer 20 minutes.

(Cardamom is very expensive and you can tell how well youre liked by the amount of cardamom in the coffee. Lots of cardamom makes the coffee actually taste good!)

"The son of a duck is a floater." Arabic proverb Mint Tea

SHAY BI NANA Mint Tea

4 tsp regular loose leaf tea 1 handful of mint sprigs, washed and drained, leaves, stems, and all 4 to 6 tsp sugar

Put tea and sugar in a heated teapot (sugar can be added later at serving time). Bring 6 cups of water to a boil, add to the pot, stir, and allow to settle. Add the mint sprigs whole. Bring the teapot to a boil then put aside to brew for 5 minutes.

Makes 6 to 8
small glasses.

Teapots used are highly ornate tea kettles made of metal. I brought home several kinds but dont know how safe it would be to actually use them. Well, I do have an aluminum one that Ive seen in use in Saudi homes, but the brass and copper ones will just sit on the shelf.

"I am a prince and you are a prince, so who will drive the donkeys?" Arabic proverb

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