After all (and I mean all) Middle Eastern lunches and dinners, you will inevitably be offered white coffee. Most hosts actually prepare quantities and automatically serve it to guests without it even being requested. The reason? I tend to think that we are trying to assuage our guilt after eating a heavy meal. Let’s back up here…
What is White coffee and what does it do for you?
Quite simply, white coffee consists of water mixed with a bit of orange blossom water, with or without the addition of sugar. Orange blossom water is made by distilling the essential oil from the bitter orange blossom and can be purchased online or at all Middle Eastern grocery stores. Have a stomach ache? White coffee is renowned for its digestive qualities. Nervous? Have a white coffee, it’s supposed to ease nerves and aid in better sleep. On a diet? Have a white coffee, it fills you up and keeps you busy without elevating your heart rate like its caffeinated counterpart, black coffee.
White coffee is touted as a cure all for everything under the sun and its smells good too, so pour yourself a cup (in a Zarina cup of course) and sip the night away!
Recipe for White Coffee
INGREDIENTS: Per one serving
2 ounces water
1 tsp orange blossom water
Sugar (optional), to taste
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the orange blossom water and water in a rakweh which is a coffee pot that can be put on direct flame.
- Bring water mixture to the boiling point. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Pour into the cup and serve.
