The year of Saudi coffee 2022
The Year of Saudi Coffee 2022 is an initiative launched by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, as Saudi coffee is not just a drink that everyone gathers around on occasions, nor it is good-tasting coffee that Saudis prefer to drink at various times, but rather an authentic symbol of Saudi culture and hospitality, which represents one of the most important values of Saudi heritage, connected with the Saudi identity.
As the environment with the desert nature in the Arabian Peninsula and the life of the nomads made the people so generous and hospitable, this is the value that society still preserves despite the development and spread of cafes and hotels. Saudi coffee is still one of the components of the depth of civilization, the Kingdom can launch through to future horizons.
- The initiative of the year of Saudi coffee 2022
- The objectives of the Saudi Coffee Year 2022 initiative.
- The main activities of the initiative.
- Where is coffee grown in Saudi Arabia?
- Factors affecting the quality of Saudi coffee.
- Preparation of Saudi coffee.
- Tools used to prepare Saudi coffee.
- How to serve Saudi coffee to guests
- Conclusion.
The initiative of the year of Saudi coffee 2022
The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Culinary Arts Authority, launched the initiative, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Saudi Minister of Culture, announced the designation of 2022 as the “Year of Saudi Coffee,” the initiative comes within the Quality of Life Program, which is one of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, in order to enhance the coffee position in Saudi Arabia locally & international, as an authentic heritage and symbol of Saudi culture. The initiative aims to achieve the following goals:
Objectives of the Saudi Coffee Year Initiative
- Celebrating Saudi coffee as a unique cultural product of Saudi Arabia.
- Demonstrates the great cultural diversity in the Kingdom, which is represented in the ways of preparing and serving Saudi coffee, differs from region to another.
- Emphasizing the association of coffee and its culture with the Saudi identity, based on the specificity of the Saudi society’s dealing with it and its distinctive atmosphere, cultivation, preparation and presentation, which is not available in the same way in any other country.
- Highlight the Saudi Khawlani coffee as an authentic Saudi product.
- highlight the aspects of generosity and authentic Saudi hospitality associated with Saudi coffee and its unique customs.
- Highlight the tools, ingredients, and methods of preparing and serving Saudi coffee.
An electronic platform for the initiative was launched, including information about the initiative, its objectives and visual identity. The door for participation in the initiative was also opened for governmental and non-governmental organizations, and a space was provided to receive ideas of individuals and entities wishing to joint projects to serve the initiative and promote the achievement of its objectives.
The most important activities of the initiative
Many organizations have launched a number of events as a part of the initiative program during 2022, and many events and activities are still scheduled to be launched throughout the year, including:
Launching the visual identity for the year of Saudi coffee 2022
The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched the initiative's visual identity, which accompanies it in all its activities and events, and the following are its most important elements:
- Identity logo (Fenjal): The fengal is a symbol associated with coffee and the values of hospitality in the Kingdom.
- The introductory guideline for the Saudi Coffee Year identity includes the color options for the logo, the artistic visualizations that support the identity, the identity templates, and how different parties can share the logo.
Celebrating the Year of Saudi Coffee at Expo Dubai - Riyadh Pavilion
The Saudi pavilion participating in Expo 2020 Dubai presented the visitors of the pavilion with a short film, illustrating the importance and the position of Saudi coffee in Saudi society.
How to participate in the Saudi Coffee Year initiative?
The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced, through the official platform of allocating space to receive the contributions of the supporting bodies, that the Saudi Coffee Year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia becomes an umbrella that brings together all the ideas and supporting campaigns.
The invitation was received by many governmental and non-governmental agencies with effective participation, stemming from a deep belief in the importance of preserving and supporting cultural heritage.
Where coffee is grown in Saudi Arabia?
Coffee is grown in the Saudi Arabia Kingdom in the following areas:
- Jazan region.
- Asir region.
- Al-Baha area.
The Khawlani coffee is grown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it was named by tKhawlani in relation to the Khawlan bin Amer tribe. The mountains of Jazan were famous for the cultivation of this type of coffee, as the soil there is rich in everything needed to grow coffee, which gives it a distinctive flavor. The Saudi Khawlani coffee is characterized by an oily layer & well-known and distinctive odor.
Factors affecting the quality of Saudi coffee.
Saudi coffee processing
There are 5 methods used to process coffee in the world, Saudi Arabia uses the dried, washed and honeyed method.
Employing robots in the process of drying and sorting Saudi coffee
The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity celebrated the Year of Coffee, by presenting the student Wissam Al-Maliki scientific research on the employment of robots in the drying and sorting process of coffee, which helps coffee growers in the Kingdom.
coffee roasting
There are three basic degrees of coffee roasting, which are:
- Light roasting.
- Medium roasting.
- High roasting.
The following are the advantages of roasting methods, you can learn about through the previous link.
coffee storage
The coffee must be stored correctly, otherwise, it will definitely affect its quality. The correct way to store coffee can be followed through the previous link.
The type of coffee used to prepare Saudi coffee
There are many types of coffee that are used to prepare Saudi coffee, which can be identified through the previous link.
How to prepare Saudi coffee
The method of preparing Saudi coffee differs from one region to another. You can see the most famous way to prepare Saudi coffee. We also offer you various other methods to prepare Saudi coffee, as mentioned in the introductory guide published on the Saudi Coffee Year Initiative website.
How to prepare Saudi coffee in Central Region
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water.
- 50 grams of coffee.
- 40 grams of chopped cardamom.
- Half gram of cloves.
- A little saffron.
How to prepare?
- Put the water on the fire until it boils, while adding the coffee to the boiling water.
- Add all the spices except cardamom, and let the mixture boil over medium heat for 17 minutes.
- Add cardamom and leave the coffee on the fire for another 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and leave the coffee for 2-3 minutes until the coffee settles at the bottom of Dallah and coffee becomes ready to drink.
How to prepare Saudi coffee in the Northern Region
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water.
- 50 grams of coffee.
- 40 grams of chopped cardamom.
How to prepare?
- Put the water on the fire until it boils, while adding the ground coffee.
- Cook the coffee over medium heat for 20-30 minutes.
- Add the cardamom and let the coffee boil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and leave the coffee dallah until ready to drink.
How to prepare Saudi coffee in the Eastern Region
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water.
- 50 grams of chopped coffee.
- 40 grams of chopped cardamom.
- A little saffron.
How to prepare?
- Put the water on the fire until it boils, add coffee and saffron.
- Cook the coffee over medium heat for 17 minutes, then add the cardamom and leave the coffee for another 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and leave the coffee pot until the ingredients settle and are ready to drink.
How to prepare Saudi coffee in the Western Region
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water.
- 50 gm of coffee.
- 40 grams of chopped cardamom.
- A little saffron.
- 1 gram mastic
How to prepare?
- Put the water on the fire until it boils, while adding the ground coffee.
- Add the rest of the spices except for the cardamom and leave the coffee on the fire for 15 minutes, then add the cardamom and leave the mixture to boil for an additional 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and leave the coffee pot for two minutes until it is ready to drink.
How to prepare Saudi coffee in the Southern Region
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water.
- 50 grams of coffee.
- 40 grams of chopped cardamom.
- One gram of fresh ginger, crushed.
- A little saffron.
- A gram of chopped cinnamon.
- A gram of fennel
- A gram of cloves
How to prepare?
- Put the water on the fire until it boils, adds the chopped coffee, then add the spices except for the cardamom.
- Cook the ingredients for 15 minutes on the stove, then add the cardamom and leave the mixture to boil for an additional 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, then let the coffee Dallah until it is ready to drink.
The tools used in the Saudi coffee preparation
The following are the types of Arabic coffee that were used in the past and still exist and are sold for thousands of Saudi riyals.
Mehmas
Mabrad
Najr
How to serve Saudi coffee to guests?
The name Arabic coffee has been replaced by Saudi coffee inside the Kingdom. “Saudi coffee” has been adopted in restaurants, cafes, and roasters, concurrently with the launch of the Saudi Coffee Year initiative.
Preservation of Saudi coffee has been linked to customs and traditions that have roots in Saudi culture:
- The guest (the host) takes the first cup, which is an old custom, and the first cup is called the “haif cup”.
- The host or his son holds the dallah with his left hand, while he holds the cup with his right hand (usually 3-4 cups in his right hand) and he roams with it on his guests.
- The host waits until the guest has finished his first cup, then pours again until the guest says "enough" or "kindly", or shakes their cup, which means they don't pour the coffee again.
- You can use the most elegant & luxuriousness thermoses for coffee & tea to serve your coffee.
- You can find out more about the customs of serving Arabic coffee through the previous link.
Starbucks participates in the Khawlani Coffee Festival 2022
Starbucks announced its participation in the Saudi Khawlani Coffee Festival, as part of Starbucks' support for the local coffee culture throughout the Kingdom, by participating in a variety of recreational activities that include shopping opportunities, as well as courses and special offers.
Conclusion
Saudi coffee is one of the most important elements of the heritage saudi culture of the Kingdom, and it is the duty of organizations and peoples to preserve that heritage.
So the initiative of the year of Saudi coffee works to spread the term Saudi coffee, not only at the local level, but also at the international level through many activities and events, and all Individuals, governmental & non-governmental organizations are participating on the initiative’s platforms and such as social media & website.