Qishr - Yemeni coffee with ginger

Discovering a traditional drink like Qishr, the Yemeni coffee with ginger, is like a journey through time, a dive into the culture of a region rich in flavors and traditions. This recipe is not just a simple drink, but a ritual full of meaning, connecting us to our roots and offering a moment of indulgence. Let's embark together on this captivating process, learning to prepare a delicious coffee, full of history and unique flavors!

Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 2

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh water
- 6 teaspoons of roasted and ground coffee husks (Qishr)
- 6 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste, considering that Arabic coffee is often very sweet)
- 1-2 teaspoons of ground dried ginger (or more, if you want a stronger flavor)

A touch of history:

The story of Qishr begins in the port of Mocha, a renowned trading center where high-quality coffee was shipped to Europe starting in the 17th century. Coffee husks, usually considered waste, were transformed by locals into flavored drinks, thus providing an affordable alternative to expensive coffee, while also being full of flavor. This drink was enriched with ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom, adding extra flavors and health benefits.

Preparing Qishr:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. Make sure you have roasted and ground coffee husks, which you can find in specialty stores or prepare at home by roasting coffee beans and grinding them. It is essential that they are fresh to achieve an authentic taste.

2. Bringing the water to a boil: In a cezve, add 1 cup of clean water. It is recommended to use filtered or spring water to avoid altering the final taste of the drink.

3. Adding the ingredients: Once the water begins to boil, add the 6 teaspoons of ground coffee husks, followed by the desired amount of sugar. Stir well to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.

4. Flavoring: Add the ground ginger. If you are a fan of spices, you can experiment by adding a small amount of cinnamon or cardamom to enhance the drink's aroma.

5. Boiling: Stir occasionally and let the mixture boil. It is important not to let it boil too hard to avoid excessive bubbling on the surface. When bubbles appear, remove the cezve from the heat and let it cool slightly. Return to the heat and repeat this process 2-3 times until the bubbles disappear completely.

6. Serving: Once the preparation is ready, carefully pour it into cups. Qishr is served hot and it is a wonderful experience to enjoy it alongside loved ones.

Practical tips:

- If you like sweeter drinks, adjust the amount of sugar according to your personal taste.

- You can experiment with different spices, such as cardamom or cloves, to create a unique version of your Qishr.

- Try to use a cezve with a special design that adds an elegant touch to the preparation moment.

- If you don't have coffee husks on hand, you can use ground coffee, but the flavor will be different.

Ideal combinations:

Qishr pairs perfectly with a slice of nut cake or chocolate biscuits, which will complement the intense flavors of the coffee. It is also wonderful to enjoy it alongside a cold drink, such as mint tea, which will provide a pleasant contrast.

Nutritional benefits:

This drink will not only delight your taste buds but also has numerous health benefits. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, while coffee husks contain antioxidants that can contribute to overall health.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use ground coffee instead of coffee husks? Yes, it is an alternative, although the taste of Qishr will be different.

- Is Qishr a caffeine-free drink? Yes, as it only uses coffee husks, which contain a very small amount of caffeine.

- Is Qishr suitable for a diet? If you reduce the sugar, Qishr can be a healthy and nutritious choice.

In conclusion, preparing Qishr is an experience that blends tradition with culinary art. This Yemeni coffee with ginger will not only warm you on cold days but will also bring a touch of history and culture in every sip. So, dare to try this simple yet flavorful recipe and enjoy every moment spent with it!

 Ingredients: Qishr is a Yemeni coffee made from coffee husks (Arabic: qishr = husks), flavored with ground dried ginger or sometimes with cinnamon or cardamom. The story of this coffee begins in the Yemeni port of Mocha or Mukha on the Red Sea. It is believed that Marco Polo, during his expedition in the Arab world, discovered this port, which became the main supplier of coffee to Europe starting in the 17th century. Yemeni coffee is of superior quality and has a special chocolatey aroma. It is cultivated in mountainous, terraced regions, and the trees are cared for with great diligence; they are irrigated with rainwater, and no chemical fertilizers are used. Being an expensive delicacy and thus inaccessible to the local population, they began to roast and grind the coffee husks, resulting in Qishr, a cheaper drink that they flavored with ginger or cinnamon. We need: - 1 cup of water - 6 teaspoons of roasted and ground coffee husks - 6 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste, as Arabic coffee is usually served very sweet) - 1-2 teaspoons of ground dried ginger.