Dubai: Coffee and tea are part of UAE hospitality and heritage. Emirati households without exception are attached to such ancient tradition.
The tradition is traced back to the desert of Arabia and it is still a sign of Arabian hospitality to greet guests with a cup of Arabic coffee or tea — this is considered a must in Arab etiquette.
When a visitor pays a visit to any Emirati house at first he/she will be received with a cup of Arabic coffee or tea.
The word for coffee in Emirati dialect is "Qahwah" and it is prepared and served daily.
There are two ways of preparing Arabic coffee.
In the traditional manner, which is common in the other Gulf Countries also, the brew is richly flavoured with cardamom and other spices including saffron.
Most Emiratis, especially the older generation, prefer taking it with saffron and cardamom, while the younger Emiratis normally prefer it with sugar and generally less spice. After all it's a matter of taste.
Timing
The Emirati coffee is commonly poured in a special coffee pot known as "Dallah" and to differentiate it from the pot of tea (because they are usually served together) Emiratis call it "Dallat Al Qahwah" which means a pot of coffee.
In the Emirati dialect, team is called "Chai" or "Chahi". The pot is "Dallat Al Chahi".
Tea, however, is prepared with spices and is sometimes served with mint.
Black tea is famous in the UAE and is usually taken with sugar.
There is no specific time to have a sip of coffee or tea in the UAE, as they both are prepared and kept ready for the whole day in "Dallah" (singular) or "Dellal" (plural), which are designed to keep the brew hot and fresh.
Sometimes, they are taken with breakfast or after lunch and of course they are the main beverages presented to guests upon arrival. Not to mention their extensive use in social events, such as weddings and funerals. The Emirati coffee cups are small with no handle and are known as "Finjan" in Arabic, which in the Emirati dialect is pronounced "Fenyan".
The portions, however, are very small and just cover the bottom of the cup.
Signal
The person pouring the coffee keeps pouring out the portions till the guest shakes his cup to signal he has had enough.
Tea cups are also small and may or may not have handles. But the Emirati etiquette in pouring the tea is to fill the cup everytime it is done.
Emirati coffee and tea are not only available at houses, but also served in some restaurants due to the high demand they have.
