Drinks in Saudi Arabia
Drinks in Saudi Arabia are the drinks that are distinctive in the culture of hospitality and lifestyle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and they develop in the way they are prepared and presented, and some of them are linked to symbolic events in the Saudi culture; among the most prominent drinks in the Kingdom are coffee and tea. Drinks are presented cold and hot.
Drinks in Saudi Hospitality
In Saudi hospitality protocol, coffee is served first then tea – as the two main elements of drinks etiquette – with tea often delayed if the occasion includes lunch or dinner. Aromatic herbs such as mint, speedwell, or other fragrant foliage are added. Ember tea is one of the most distinctive drinks served to guests; water and sugar are boiled in a jug on embers, then coarse tea is added. Ember tea is usually associated with outdoor camping and is often sold at outlets lining the way to campsites.
Saudi Coffee
Saudi Coffee is the crown jewel of hospitality in Saudi Arabia and the first item in the local hospitality protocol for receiving foreign delegations and heads of state. Blonde roast coffee with a golden tint is usually preferred. In Saudi poetic heritage, coffee is referred to as Kif. As the word implies, the name reflects the improved mood felt by those who sip it. Generally speaking, coffee is commercially available at any gathering.
Unlike Saudi coffee which requires to be roasted before boiling, Cascara (or peel) coffee does not need to be roasted, and it is lighter in texture compared to Arabic coffee. Sugar is sometimes added, but it is usually sipped plain and is most common in the south of the Kingdom.
Drinks related to events
Some drinks are associated with certain events or occasions in Saudi Arabia. For example, Sobia (first known in the Western Region) is one of the most popular drinks during Ramadan. Sobia is chiefly made of dried and crushed barley, usually between red and white in color. Similarly, almond coffee is linked to Hijri New Year, and is densely textured and often consumed using a spoon.
Sources
- King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah).
- King Abdulaziz Foundation.
- Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
- Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Protocol and Etiquette for Public Relations Professionals. Abdulaziz bin Bandar Al-Othman, Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Khuraiji.