Middle Eastern Coffee Culture: Origins and Traditions

Ever wondered if people in the Middle East — the ones often seen in news footage with scarves wrapped tightly around their faces — actually drink coffee? If you’re anything like me, you’ve assumed that coffee is more of a Western or even East Asian habit. But after years of traveling through the Middle East for work, and always packing instant coffee just in case, I learned the hard way that my assumptions were completely wrong.

Yes, the Middle East drinks coffee — for over 500 years. It’s deeply rooted in daily life, especially in social and religious contexts where alcohol is banned.

Where Did Coffee Originate in the Middle East?

Coffee’s journey began in Ethiopia, likely from the region known as Kaffa. Wild coffee plants still grow there today. By the 14th or 15th century, coffee made its way from Kaffa to Yemen. According to Egyptian records from the early 1600s, a beverage called 'qahwa' was already popular among Sufi monks in Yemen, who used it to stay awake during worship.

A traveller who had been to Ethiopia noticed coffee’s widespread use there. After feeling ill in Aden, he tried qahwa and found it relieved fatigue and boosted energy. When he later joined a Sufi order, both he and fellow monks adopted the drink, which soon spread among all social classes for its ability to aid focus during study and work.

How Did Coffee Spread Across the Middle East and Europe?

By 1511, coffee drinking was common in Mecca. From there, it spread west to Egypt, Syria, and the Ottoman Empire, and east to Iran. This expansion was largely driven by pilgrims and merchants. The first coffeehouse opened in Istanbul, established by two Syrian traders, and quickly became a widespread phenomenon.

Europe’s introduction to coffee wasn’t immediate or welcoming. Early accounts were harsh: Venetian and British observers mocked coffeehouse patrons as lazy and the drink as unpleasant. Yet despite the criticism, coffee took hold. Vienna’s first coffeehouse was opened by an Armenian spy who used his intelligence work against the Ottomans as leverage for a coffee monopoly.

Why Are Coffeehouses So Important in the Middle East?

In much of the Islamic world, alcohol is prohibited and public drinking is rare. That left a cultural gap filled by coffeehouses and teahouses. These spaces became central to male social life across countries like Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Tunisia.

Arab men gather in coffee shops that look nothing like Western cafés. Customers sit on cushions or low sofas draped in rugs, often sipping Turkish coffee — a thick, unfiltered brew served with a side of water. Background music is typically traditional Arabic, and activities revolve around conversation, chess, and smoking shisha (water pipe). Unlike in Europe, where people might sip coffee quickly before leaving, Middle Eastern men may spend hours in these cafes, often returning multiple times a day.

Shisha smoking alongside coffee is especially common among working-class men. A single shisha session may last around 20 minutes, and some patrons visit five or six times daily. The coffee itself is usually simple: Turkish coffee dominates, brewed by boiling and served unfiltered. You’ll rarely see modern espresso machines or Western-style cappuccinos.

Do Women Drink Coffee in the Middle East?

While women are rarely seen in traditional male-dominated coffeehouses — where most patrons are fully covered and few wear Western dress — that doesn’t mean they don’t drink coffee. In fact, many do, particularly at home. When asked, a Muslim woman in Tunisia confirmed: 'I drink coffee at home almost every day.'

In upscale hotels and restaurants, you might spot fashionably dressed women enjoying coffee, but on the streets or in small neighbourhood cafes, female presence is extremely limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did coffee originate in the Middle East?

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, likely from the Kaffa region, and spread to Yemen by the 14th or 15th century. It was widely used by Sufi monks in Yemen to stay alert during worship and quickly gained popularity for its energizing effects.

How did coffee spread to Europe from the Middle East?

Coffee spread to Europe primarily via trade and travel through Istanbul. The first European coffeehouse opened in Vienna after the Siege of Vienna, established by an Armenian spy. Despite initial European disdain, coffee gained acceptance and became a major imported good from Yemen.

Why are there so few women in Middle Eastern coffeehouses?

Middle Eastern coffeehouses are traditionally male-dominated spaces due to cultural norms. Alcohol is prohibited in Islam, so coffeehouses serve as the primary public social venues for men. Women usually drink coffee at home or in more private or upscale settings.

What is Turkish coffee and how is it served?

Turkish coffee is a traditional unfiltered coffee brewed by boiling finely ground coffee with water. It is served unfiltered in small cups, often accompanied by a glass of water. The grounds settle at the bottom and are not meant to be consumed.

What do people do in Middle Eastern coffee shops?

Men gather in Middle Eastern coffee shops to chat, play chess, smoke shisha, and listen to Arabic music. The atmosphere is relaxed, with customers often sitting for hours on cushions, sometimes returning multiple times a day for coffee and conversation.

Is coffee consumption common among Islamic cultures?

Yes, coffee has been a staple in Islamic cultures for over 500 years, especially in regions where alcohol is banned. Coffeehouses function as key social hubs, replacing the role of bars or pubs found in other cultures.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Middle Eastern Brewing

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui — a bright, juicy Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry and floral brightness, ideal for appreciating coffee’s original flavour complexity akin to historic qahwa. For a richer experience, their Yirgacheffe offers citrus and stone fruit tones, great for filter brewing that mirrors traditional methods. Both beans highlight the heritage of coffee from the region where it all began. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.