Tag: heritage

Saudi Coffee A Symbol of Generosity That Shapes Cultural Identity

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From Makkah to the Desert Majlis Hospitality Traditions and Heritage Flavors in a Special Report by Sayidaty

Dubai – Qahwa World

Sayidaty magazine published a special report highlighting Saudi coffee as one of the most prominent symbols of hospitality and generosity in the Kingdom. The report emphasizes its role as a cultural element that reflects the social and historical identity of Saudi society.

The report explains that Saudi coffee is not simply a traditional drink but a deeply rooted cultural practice connected to authentic hospitality rituals. Its aroma, blended with cardamom and incense, represents the first expression of welcome offered to guests. It also notes that this cultural heritage is included in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

According to the report, engineer Abdullah bin Kalib, an expert in coffee heritage, stated that coffee was not originally the primary beverage of hospitality. Earlier traditions included milk and broth before coffee became central to Arab hospitality culture, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula. He added that coffee first appeared in urban centers, especially Makkah, before spreading to desert communities and becoming part of their social and cultural life.

The report highlights that coffee gatherings known as majlis are more than seating areas. They function as social and cultural spaces where values are transmitted, younger generations learn hospitality practices, and communities exchange news, poetry, and conduct social and commercial discussions.

It also discusses the diversity of Saudi coffee in types and preparation methods, including global varieties such as Arabica and Robusta, as well as the rare Khawlani coffee grown in Jazan, known for its distinctive nutty flavor. Regional differences in roasting and preparation contribute to a wide range of taste profiles across the Kingdom.

The preparation process includes roasting, grinding using the traditional mortar, boiling, and adding spices such as cardamom, saffron, ginger, and cloves before serving it in the traditional dallah according to established hospitality customs.

Serving traditions are also highlighted, where coffee is typically offered starting with the eldest guest or from the right side, reflecting respect and social etiquette deeply rooted in majlis culture.

The report concludes by noting the traditional pairing of coffee with dates, along with modern developments such as electric coffee makers and instant coffee. These innovations have helped expand its use while maintaining its cultural significance, ensuring Saudi coffee remains a living symbol of heritage, identity, and hospitality.

Vietnam Launches First Global Coffee Heritage Festival

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Vietnam – Qahwa World

Vietnam continues to strengthen its presence in the global coffee market, standing as the world’s second-largest coffee exporter. This status is supported not only by production volume but also by a rich cultural heritage and a unique identity in the coffee world. In this context, the country has launched its first-ever Global Coffee Heritage Festival, aiming to highlight Vietnamese coffee as both a cultural and economic product, far beyond a simple agricultural commodity.

From December 21, 2025, to January 2, 2026, Lam Vien Square in the Xuan Huong Ward of Da Lat hosted the inaugural “Global Coffee Heritage Festival 2025,” attracting large crowds of local residents and visitors from Vietnam and abroad. The festival aimed to document the journey of coffee in Vietnam over nearly two centuries, from the first plantations in the Central Highlands to the development of a distinct coffee culture that has become a national identity.

A Platform to Celebrate Coffee Culture

The festival was organized by TNI King Coffee Co., Ltd. (Ho Chi Minh City) and featured 34 exhibition booths showcasing coffee products, culinary offerings, and a comprehensive program of cultural, artistic, experiential, and interactive activities throughout the festival.

Highlights included live roasting and manual brewing demonstrations linked to global coffee culture experiences, exhibitions of historical coffee beans, a record-setting artwork made from robusta coffee beans, and a display of a giant coffee cup. These activities became prominent attractions for visitors and coffee enthusiasts.

  • Records and Heritage Values

The World Records Alliance, in collaboration with Vietnam Records Association, recognized Vietnam as the largest global producer and exporter of robusta coffee in terms of volume and yield. The festival also documented Vietnam’s unique coffee preparation heritage, including Ê-đê coffee, traditional cloth-filtered coffee, and drip coffee.

Vietnamese coffee culture is also distinguished by its diverse and creative approaches to blending and serving coffee, with signature drinks and dishes such as egg coffee and iced milk coffee reflecting the country’s ability to innovate while preserving tradition.

  • Coffee and Art: A Visual Narrative

One of the festival’s highlights was the artwork “Vietnamese Robusta Coffee Aspiration,” the first of its kind created from Buon Ma Thuot robusta beans, combined with natural Vietnamese materials such as coffee powder, burlap, bamboo, rattan, and coffee ink. The artwork draws inspiration from Central Highlands culture, merging art with agricultural heritage.

  • A Window to Global Coffee Cultures

Festival visitors explored manual brewing methods linked to international coffee traditions, including the Moka Pot (Italy, 1933), Aeropress (USA, 2005), and Cold Drip, a method originating in 17th-century Netherlands when sailors sought to preserve coffee flavor during long voyages. Cold Drip involves slow dripping of cold water through coffee over extended periods, resulting in a smoother cup with lower acidity and bitterness. In the 20th century, it became popular in Japan for its artistic and precise brewing style.

  • Filter Coffee: A Symbol of Local Identity

Filter coffee remains a hallmark of Vietnamese coffee culture since the 19th century, when coffee was first introduced by the French. Over time, the small metal drip filter became a staple in homes and cafes, promoting slow, mindful consumption characterized by strong flavors and a sweet finish—an embodiment of the Vietnamese way of enjoying coffee. Today, filter coffee remains the most widespread brewing method, representing the nation’s coffee identity.

  • Coffee as a Human and Economic Journey

Through these diverse experiences, visitors gain a holistic understanding of Vietnamese coffee, from the labor of farmers in the fields to roasting and preparation techniques, resulting in cups infused with the aroma of time and personal experience.

  • Coffee Train: A Unique Heritage Experience

The “Coffee on the Train – Heritage Journey” space at Da Lat station was a standout feature, recreating a historic train carriage dedicated to coffee experiences. The Da Lat Coffee Train was organized in partnership with the Saigon Railway Transport Branch, Vietnam Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, and TNI King Coffee Co., Ltd.

Visitors enjoyed coffee while listening to soothing music performed on violins and saxophones inside the train carriages, combining heritage, taste, and art in one immersive experience.

  • Building the Vietnamese Coffee Brand

In 2024, Vietnamese coffee exports reached USD 5.48 billion. During the first half of 2025, exports nearly matched the total of 2024 at USD 5.45 billion. The Global Coffee Heritage Festival 2025 is expected to drive the coffee sector toward a creative industry model and open new opportunities for investment, cooperation, and exports.

The festival also aims to bring together leading experts, artisans, and companies worldwide to reshape the future of Vietnamese coffee sustainably and innovatively, enhancing its international profile and paving the way for global collaboration initiatives, including the establishment of the Vietnam-Global Coffee Alliance.

  • Coffee from Vietnam and the World

The festival featured not only Vietnamese coffee varieties but also coffees from major producing countries such as Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil, including rare specialty coffees. A notable highlight was Geisha coffee from Ethiopia’s Geisha region, one of the world’s rarest and most expensive coffees, auctioning for up to VND 700 million per kilogram. Geisha coffee is distinguished by complex flavors, including citrus fruits, floral notes, and a hint of jasmine, offering a market value far above other high-quality coffees.

  • Decades of Expertise and Passion

Mr. Do Tan Truong, Roasting and Product Development Manager at TNI King Coffee, emphasized that creating high-quality coffee requires a complete story—from selecting beans, processing, to understanding consumer tastes in different regions. Each coffee variety has its own characteristics and roasting techniques, and learning in this field is continuous regardless of years of experience.

  • Coffee Beyond Numbers

At the festival opening, Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao, Founder and CEO of TNI King Coffee, highlighted that coffee has been present in Vietnam for over 150 years. Today, more than 600,000 hectares of coffee plantations sustain millions of households. Vietnamese coffee is exported to over 100 countries and territories, contributing billions of dollars to the national economy.

She added that the value of Vietnamese coffee lies not only in volume or numbers but also in identity, perseverance, and pride encapsulated in every coffee bean. The festival represents a long-term journey to preserve, elevate, and promote sustainable values of Vietnamese coffee, particularly robusta heritage, within the global coffee landscape.

A report reveals the role of heritage in preserving the coffee industry

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For the 12.5 million farming families globally, coffee is more than just a commodity; it is a legacy passed down through generations, serving as a cultural identity and livelihood. In its latest report, Coffee Intelligence, an online publication dedicated to high-quality journalism on crucial topics in the coffee sector, explores the profound importance of heritage in the coffee industry and the critical role roasters play in preserving this legacy.

Eduardo Choza, the director of coffee at Mayorga Coffee, emphasizes that for many coffee producers, it’s a matter of pride and family tradition. The significance of the coffee they produce extends beyond a traded commodity, embodying history, effort, and cultural identity.

Coffee-growing communities have cultivated a wealth of local expertise over centuries, adapting to changing climates through practices passed down through generations. Capucas Coffee Cooperative Limited in Honduras exemplifies this heritage, implementing a circular economy rooted in the region’s culture, showcasing the importance of ancestral knowledge in sustainable farming.

Collaborations between roasters and producers, such as Mayorga Coffee and farmers in Las Capucas, demonstrate the benefits of leveraging generational wisdom. Intercropping methods, inspired by traditional techniques, contribute to efficient land usage and improved soil fertility, showcasing the harmony between people and nature.

The report highlights the historical role of coffee cooperatives in Latin America, advocating for smallholder farmers and fostering socio-economic development. Heritage in coffee production, therefore, becomes a cornerstone of community-oriented business practices, shaping the industry’s social and economic landscape.

However, the report also underscores the challenges faced by many farming communities, particularly in marketing their products based on wider environmental and social factors. Coffee Intelligence emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate technical and financial assistance to bridge this gap, allowing producers to navigate modern economies while preserving their heritage.

Coffee roasters, according to the report, play a crucial role in developing relationships with producers that go beyond a transactional approach. While some roasters use the term “direct trade” for marketability, the report advocates for a genuine commitment to preserving and celebrating a community’s heritage in coffee production.

Mayorga Coffee, as highlighted in the report, takes a nurturing approach, integrating ground-level sustainability investments and celebrating a community’s heritage throughout the supply chain. This authentic commitment to preserving cultural heritage becomes an integral part of the brand and contributes to the true and entire value of the final product.

In conclusion, Coffee Intelligence’s report urges consumers to understand the cultural heritage behind their coffee, emphasizing the need to honor and recognize the legacy poured into every cup. By looking at the coffee industry through the eyes of the people who produce it, there is potential to bring greater equity across the supply chain, creating a more sustainable and culturally rich coffee landscape.