Every year, people across the world celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1st.
In light of the celebrations, we recommend you spend your Sunday morning relaxed, indulging yourself in several cups of coffee (since it may go extinct in 2080), and checking your country's coffee consumption rate.
Although Arabs are credited with the cultivation and trade of the beans for drinking since the 14th century and also for giving coffee its name, The Telegraph lists Finland (12kg/capita/year), Norway (9.9), Iceland (9), Denmark (8.7), and The Netherlands (8.4) as the world's top 5 coffee consumers.
Arab countries, on the other hand, are now much more into tea. Nevertheless, here's how much these Arab countries consume coffee in KG per capita.
16. Egypt (0.1)
Coffee, pronounced “ahwa” is all about socializing in Egypt. Men gather in cafes as early as 6 am to drink the hot brew and smoke their shisha pipes.
To make the concoction, coffee grounds, cold water, and sugar are brought to a boil several times before being poured into small cups. Spices are also added.
Egypt is number 7 on the tea drinking list with 2.231 lbs consumed per capita per year.
15. Mauritania (0.1)
Aside from coffee, the most common drink found in Mauritania is zrig, which is camel's milk. Mauritanians also enjoy Arab mint tea.
14. Libya (0.3)
Libyans have a long history with coffee. As, the only Arab nation to come under Italy’s rule, it was introduced to a new coffee culture. By the 1940’s thick bitter Arabic coffee (i.e. Turkish coffee) brewed in small copper pots was quickly replaced by machine pulled espressos, according to Culture Trip. Years after the country's independence, this method of brewing coffee remains in practice.
13. Yemen (0.3)
Coffea arabica, also known as Arabic coffee, is said to have originated in Yemen in the 15th century.
The difference between Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee is that the former is unsweetened.
12. Bahrain (0.5)
Bahrain stands at number 14 on the list of countries with most branches of Starbucks per capita, with 14.95 branches per 1 million inhabitants.
11. Sudan (0.6)
Known as "guhwah," Sudanese coffee is as thick and strong as Turkish coffee, only in Sudan certain spices are added to it.
10. Syria (0.7)
Syrians drink both shay (tea) and kahwa (coffee) with plenty of sugar. Kahwa murrah (unsweetened coffee) is also common but mostly found in more traditional homes.
Coffee is usually served in traditional brass or silver Arabic coffee pots. You can find these actual pots in the souks everywhere.
9. Morocco (0.9)
Since Moroccans consume mint tea regularly, they use coffee as an alternative to switch it up every now and then.
Some have even abandoned traditional coffee making methods and coffee altogether, replacing them with electric coffee grinders and instant coffee.
8. Oman (1)
In Oman, coffee is served on special occasions, and even though the preparation of the drink differs from one region to the other, most Omanis people prefer Sri Lankan beans.
The person serving the coffee has to follow certain rules. They should not disturb people while talking and should do their utmost not to make any noise in the process. That's the polite way of serving the brew.
7. Tunisia (1.1)
Tunisia is best-known for its cafes that serve cheap and high-quality coffee. To make your own, simply pour water in a turku (pot) and add 2 teaspoons of finely ground coffee and 2 teaspoons of sugar. The mix must be brought to a boil three times. Once ready, add a few drops of rose water.
6. Kuwait (1.6)
Kuwaitis usually prepare tea infused with mint or saffron. Saffron and other flavors are also added to coffee and served to guests.
5. Saudi Arabia (1.6)
Saudi Arabia took the number 10 position on the tea drinking list, with 1.983 lbs consumed per capita per year.
4. Jordan (1.9)
In tribal Jordanian Bedouin culture, families in neighboring tents pound freshly roasted beans in a mihbash – a form of pestle and mortar, sometimes wood, sometimes metal – using a distinctive rattling.
This custom is a way to send out a wordless invitation for others within hearing distance to gather round. Coffee with cardamom in a dalleh (a long-spouted pot set in the embers,) is then served to all those present in tiny thimble-sized cups.
Tradition dictates that serving always begins with the guest of honor, proceeding clockwise around the circle.
3. Qatar (2.2)
In Qatar, coffee is mixed with cardamom, saffron, and a hint of coffee mate. Sugar is never added in order to preserve the strong taste. It is served with Arabic sweets or dates to balance the flavors up.
2. Algeria (3.5)
Since Algeria ranked #2 on this list, it's no surprise that coffee is found almost anywhere in the country, and is consumed on a daily basis.
1. Lebanon (4.8)
In Lebanon, people mainly drink very sweetened Arabic coffee, often flavored with cardamom. They prepare it in long-handled coffee pots called rakwe.
The Lebanese are also known for the creation of "white coffee," a soothing caffeine-free tisane made from sweet-scented orange flower or rose water.