RIYADH — As the world marks International Coffee Day on Oct. 1, Saudi Arabia’s relationship with coffee tells a story that goes far beyond the drink itself. One rooted in hospitality, regional traditions, agriculture and a cultural heritage passed down through generations.
Saudi coffee occupies a distinctive place in the Kingdom’s social fabric. Traditionally among the first things offered to a guest, it is closely associated with generosity, welcome and the majlis, where cups of coffee accompany conversations, family gatherings and social occasions.
Its significance was formally celebrated in 2022, when the Ministry of Culture designated the year as the “Year of Saudi Coffee,” highlighting coffee as an integral element of Saudi culture and identity and seeking to strengthen its presence locally and internationally.
But there is no single recipe for Saudi coffee.
The ingredients, roasting and preparation can vary from one part of the Kingdom to another, giving each region its own distinctive interpretation.
In Najd, coffee is traditionally prepared with cardamom and saffron. In southern Saudi Arabia, cloves, ginger and cinnamon may be added alongside those ingredients. In Hail, coffee is commonly blended with cardamom, saffron and cloves, while in western parts of the Kingdom, the preparation traditionally relies primarily on coffee beans and cardamom.
These differences in color, aroma and flavor reflect the diversity of Saudi Arabia’s regions while preserving the common traditions surrounding how coffee is prepared, poured and offered to guests.
Modern tastes have also introduced new variations, with some coffee drinkers adding milk or creamer. Yet the traditional cup remains deeply connected to the rituals of Saudi hospitality.
From the farm to the dallah
Saudi coffee also has an agricultural story.
The southern regions of the Kingdom have a long association with the cultivation of Khawlani coffee, with farming knowledge and practices handed down through generations.
Farmers have developed expertise in caring for coffee trees, harvesting their fruit and processing the beans, part of a much longer journey before coffee reaches the cup.
That journey begins with planting and caring for coffee trees, followed by harvesting, drying and processing the fruit. The beans are then roasted, ground and prepared according to traditions and preferences that differ between communities.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly focused on developing domestic coffee cultivation as part of broader efforts to support local agricultural products, improve production quality and assist farmers.
Festivals and events dedicated to coffee and local crops have also provided opportunities to showcase Saudi-grown beans, introduce consumers to farmers and producers, and pass knowledge of the Kingdom’s coffee heritage to younger generations.
An evolving coffee culture
Coffee culture in Saudi Arabia is evolving alongside global changes in the industry.
The growth of specialty coffee has increased interest in where beans originate, how they are roasted and the techniques used to prepare them. At the same time, questions surrounding sustainability, support for farmers and stronger supply chains have become increasingly important across the global coffee industry.
Yet in Saudi Arabia, even as new brewing methods and café concepts flourish, coffee retains a meaning that predates the modern coffee shop.
A cup offered to a guest remains a gesture of welcome. The dallah remains an enduring symbol of hospitality. And the preparation and serving of Saudi coffee continue to connect generations through customs that have survived while adapting to contemporary life.
On International Coffee Day, that tradition offers a reminder that in Saudi Arabia, coffee is not simply something to drink.
It is hospitality poured into a cup.
Source: Saudi Gazette