Loading ...Saudi Coffee: A New Chapter in the History of Arab Coffee
By: Raisa Sami / Arab America Contributing Writer
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced that Arabic coffee will be officially rebranded as Saudi coffee in restaurants, cafes, stores, and roasters. This move is part of a Culture Ministry initiative to name 2022 as the “Year of Saudi Coffee” to strengthen the country’s identity and culture. The initiative aims to differentiate the flavor and preparation methods of Saudi coffee from other regional coffee. Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan praised the decision as a significant step in preserving Saudi coffee’s unique identity. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and coffee expert Lameen Abdul-Malik also highlighted the difference between Saudi coffee and other regional coffees.
Saudi coffee, traditionally lighter in appearance and preparation, is now being renamed as Saudi coffee. This decision aims to distinguish the flavors of Saudi coffee from other regional coffees and create a link to the Kingdom’s culture. Saudi coffee is heavily associated with generational hospitality and generosity, providing a close connection to the country’s customs and traditions. The owner of Al Ajaweed Arabic Coffee, Haitham Al-Awfi, said that the decision to change the name is fair to Saudi coffee, which differs from the type of coffee in many other Arab countries, especially in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. He highlighted that the responsibility of Saudi coffee has doubled after the decision to change the name, as it would make the name of Saudi coffee a logo and identity that serves all spectrums and creates a competitive and spacious atmosphere.
Al-Harthy, owner of Dlalh Alqahua, said that the decision to rename products as Saudi coffee would “expand the agricultural geography of the coffee” and create pride in the country’s cultural identity. He added that the decision would in the future increase the demand and presence of Saudi coffee roasts in the market.
The Saudi Consumer Protection Association has issued a decision defining the name of local coffee as “Arabic coffee” as a “violation” of the law. The Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Federation of Saudi Chambers have also called for restaurants, cafes, and patents in the kingdom to adopt the name “Saudi coffee” instead of “Arabic coffee.” This news has caused significant debates on social media, with some users reacting in a cynical or negative way, while others respond with humor and support.
Some users have criticized the Saudi authority for stealing the history of others and questioning the consumer protection aspect of the name. Others have expressed concerns about the high prices and the lack of consumer protection. Some users have responded in a more positive manner, with some commenting with emojis and posting pictures of Saudi royal family members drinking coffee.
Another user believes that Arab coffee and Saudi coffee are all one and that changing the name to “Saudi coffee” should be applied generally in all Arab countries. In Bahrain, one user believes that changing the name to “Saudi coffee” should be applied in all Arab countries due to its more accurate description and preparation.
The art of making coffee in Saudi Arabia is highly culturally significant, having been granted UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2015. The traditional process involves roasting coffee beans in a shallow pan over an open fire, and then grinding them with a copper pestle. The Saudi Ministry of Culture named 2022 the “Year of Saudi Coffee.” The country consumes over 80,000 tons of coffee annually, ranking among the top 10 countries worldwide in terms of consumption per capita. The market imports 70,000-90,000 tons of coffee annually, and Saudis spend over 1 billion Rials on coffee annually. By the end of 2021, the kingdom had 400,000 coffee trees in 600 farms, with plans to plant 1.2 million by 2025.
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