The Hospitality of Coffee

One of the things that I love about this culture is the sense of hospitality. When guests arrive, whether it be at a home or business, Palestinian culture dictates that bitter coffee, known as gahwah sadah (Lit. plain coffee), is served. It's truly strong stuff, and probably not for those with sensitive stomachs.

At one time, pouring the drink was ceremonial; it would involve the host or his eldest son moving clockwise among guests — who were judged by age and status — pouring coffee into tiny cups from a brass pot. It was considered "polite" for guests to accept only three cups of coffee and then end their last cup by saying daymen, meaning "always", but intending to mean "may you always have the means to serve coffee".