Arabic Coffee

The very first thing I ask for when I wake up is coffee , it awakens me and puts me in the mood right away when I take my first sip . It's my headache killer , for I usually have headache when I get up , but it goes immediately when I drink or even smell Arabic coffee . It's what accompanies me in my nostalgic nights , and what makes our family gatherings taste unforgetable . When I get really moody , depressed , or exhausted .. all what I need is one hot smooth cup of Arabic coffee , and it's all away !

On the other hand , and in order to get a longlasting pleasure of a cup of coffee , you have to go through a few steps like preparation 'roasting , grinding ....' , cooking , and SERVING coffee . I'll be tackling only the serving stage ' Mubasharah' in this post , I'm not going to go through the others because (1) I'm not a cook (2) serving is a really hard tiring process .. it requires a lot actually (3) it's one of the traditions that have been obsolescent and no longer taken up by most people especially the young generations ; us and the ones to come (4) I always miss up at serving coffee !!! Ok now .. shall we learn some rules :D :D

-First and most importantly the server 'Qahwaji' :

• S/he should remain standing and observant to every guest in case anyone is done with his coffee , or wants more .
• At some cultures , he should keep silent .
• Should start with the old people and then start with who is sitting at the very right of the room all the way he goes to the left .
• S/he should hold the Dallah in his left hand and the cup 'Finjan' in the right one in order to pour and then hand . (as shown in the pic)
• The server should neither fill nor pour a little coffee in the guest's cup , for it'll be considerd rude .
• Should be respectful to anyone who says s/he doesn't want coffee though the guest shouldn't say so .

- For the guest :

• It'll be considered impolite if you say you don't want coffee . Have at least one Finjan .
• You can't drink coffee while you're leaning . Adjust the way you are sitting and have your cup .
• If you are done and want more , just extend your cup .
• If you are done but you don't want more , shake your cup , or simply say 'Bass' which means enough .
• DO NOT blow into your cup if your coffee was hot .. never !

That's all I know . Hope it was of a little benefit .
Off to have a cup ;)