The Cultural Significance Of Qahwa Coffee

After the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar petitioned for the inclusion of qahwa in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, UNESCO recognized the significance of Arabic coffee in 2015, stating that the way it's prepared, served, and consumed is an "expression of hospitality, generosity and social etiquette" that affects all aspects of Arab societies. The method of brewing qahwa and its traditions have been handed down throughout the generations, thanks to family members and culture bearers such as elderly Bedouin men and women, sheikhs, tribal heads, and coffee purveyors.

Khalid Al Mulla, a coffee museum curator in Dubai and national coordinator for the UAE chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association, told Perfect Daily Grind that the act of making and serving qahwa transcends the class divide because, regardless of your socioeconomic status, it can be used to welcome a visitor into your home, even when resources are limited. The coffee also holds a place during special occasions and cultural or religious holidays, including Ramadan and Eid, and can be found in many public areas, such as government offices and airports.