The Saudi Coffee Exhibition was organized by the Museums Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the "Year of Saudi Coffee 2022" initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2022. Held at the historical al-Masmak Palace Museum in Riyadh City, the exhibition covered various topics related to Saudi coffee, from initial cultivation to roasting and preparation, highlighting its different flavors across the provinces of the Kingdom.
Saudi Coffee Exhibition topics
The exhibition covered everything related to Saudi coffee, including the customs associated with it, its production and tools, and its long-standing relationship with Saudi society. It also highlighted this relationship's reflection in Saudi poetry and the emotional connection Saudis have with coffee, while also providing a glimpse into its present and future as an important cultural element.
Saudi Coffee Exhibition stations
The Saudi Coffee Exhibition included five stations, each focusing on a specific topic. The visitor's journey begins with an introductory section explaining the concept and general theme of the exhibition. The exhibition stations are:
- Station One, "al-Haif": Dedicated to the agricultural aspect, this station allows visitors to learn about the history of coffee from its cultivation to the initial brewing experiments. These experiences have shaped a culture and tradition filled with symbolism, stories, values, etiquette, and arts. It also includes information about Saudi Khawlani coffee and its cultivation methods.
- Station Two, "al-Daif": This station explored the diverse cultures within the Kingdom regarding coffee preparation, showcasing variations in taste, brewing methods, and ingredients. It included a live demonstration of Saudi coffee making and a taste survey, which was reflected on a map of the Kingdom highlighting different roasts, spices, and their proportions used in coffee.
- Station Three, "al-Kaif": This station showcased the evolution of making and bleaching coffee pots "dallahs", their types, and artistic decorations, along with the tools used in making coffee and dallahs, and the craftsmen who produce them. The "Dallah and Coffee-serving Sets" chamber displayed the variety of coffee-making tools and dallahs across different provinces of the Kingdom, their historical development, and the evolution of making finjan cups.
- Station Four, "al-Saif": This station delved into the cultural and emotional significance of Saudi coffee within Saudi society. It explored how coffee has influenced the cultural and artistic landscape, showcasing various names for coffee, its connection to mood and creativity, coffee-themed poetry, the tradition of starting poems with coffee references, and its symbolism in literature and heritage.
- Station Five, "al-Fares": This station focused on the present and future of Saudi coffee, covering its production, preparation, and consumption methods, as well as recent innovations in the coffee market. In the "Modern Tools" section, visitors could explore a collection of contemporary equipment and machines, such as grinders, roasters, and more, to inspire the future of Saudi coffee.
The Exhibition and the "Year of Saudi Coffee 2022" Initiative
The exhibition was a part of the "Year of Saudi Coffee 2022" initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture, supported by the Quality of Life Program, one of the initiatives to achieve Saudi Vision 2030. This initiative aimed to highlight the symbolic value of Saudi coffee and its connection to the cultural identity of Saudi society. Saudi coffee has long been a cultural element representing hospitality and generosity among Saudis across various demographics for hundreds of years.
Coffee Exhibition and World Cup 2022
The Saudi Coffee Exhibition participated in 'al-Ahsa Oasis' festival, as a part of the activities aimed at capturing the attention of visitors to al-Ahsa and supporters of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The exhibition, which took place at the House of Allegiance in the historic city of al-Hufuf, continued until December 20, 2022. It showcased the Saudi community's interest in coffee and their dedication to the details of roasting, preparing, and serving it to guests.
The exhibition showcased the diverse coffee cultures across Saudi society in various cities and provinces, highlighting the different methods of preparing Saudi coffee and the tools used in making it. It also featured various types of coffee beans, including the renowned Saudi Khawlani coffee from the southern regions of the Kingdom, known for its attractive aroma and the oily layer that covers the coffee bean.
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