Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Coffee experts showed off their roasting, preparing and skills at serving traditional Arabic coffee at the Al Hosn Festival 2025 Gahwa Championships, which concluded on Sunday.
Visitors can join workshops facilitated by coffee masters at various events such as the Sane' Al Gahwa Championship, Gahwa Roaster Awards and Gahwa Beverage Concept Awards.
Speaking to Aletihad about the competitions, Head Judge Abdulla Al Yammahi shared her insights regarding the inspiration for the expansion of the Gahwa Championships this year, and how it enhances the festival experience.
"Initially, the Gahwa Championships were held at the exhibition grounds, and due to the great turnout that was observed and the demand for such participation from members of the community, the Department of Tourism and Culture, represented by the Bait Al Gahwa (Coffee House), decided to transfer these championships to the Qasr Al Hosn grounds and prepare a festival that suits this heritage element, which was listed by UNESCO in 2015."
Al Yammahi noted that coffee is at the heart of the Emirati culture, symbolising its generosity and hospitality.
This serving of the beverage is part of receiving guests and its traditions are passed down through generations.
Using unique rituals with utensils such as the dallah (a traditional Arabian coffee pot), coffee has always been associated with gatherings at events of state importance.
It is a vehicle for socialisation, for smoothing tensions in conflict situations, and is a vital part of the national identity of the UAE.
The Sane' Al Gahwa Championships is judged on the basis of three main criteria: grinding, brewing and presentation.
Participants are assessed based on their skills with the grinder and dallah, their professional presentation, and using the correct quantity of coffee for guests.
Judges also note the passion and expertise accumulated and handed down through the generations.
They pay very close attention to how the contestants go about serving and presenting the coffee, including all the customs and etiquette associated with it.
Participants are rated on how they prepare for the coffee roasting.
"The organising committee allocates coffee beans to the participants in this championship, and the committee also brings the necessary firewood to make the fire and prepares the place with the appropriate equipment and tools for this process. This championship is divided into two categories: the blonde coffee roasting category and dark coffee roasting category," said Al Yammahi.
Contestants are judged based on their skills, craftsmanship in roasting, and consistency in the colour of the coffee beans.
Judges also assess their fire control, tool safety and overall technique.
The Coffee Concept Award adds another dimension to the competition with an additional challenge in which contestants are required to create a new drink.
After being given a few mystery ingredients, including Arabic coffee, the participants make a new drink for the creativity and entertainment of the audience.
Al Yammahi says the competition has been brewing success for the past five years.
"Since 2019, we have seen positive interaction from participants. In 2025, the judges noted a group of skilled contestants, reflecting the tournament's progress and the creation of an elite group representing the country with their cultural and practical knowledge."
"The annual Gahwa coffee tournaments have played an important role in rooting and documenting this, and we can say that the element of Arabic coffee is an element that will remain not only in memory but in the daily life of Emirati society," he said.
The champions focus on both Arabic coffee traditions and specialty coffee, reflecting Emirati youth's growing interest, he added.
This supports the UAE's efforts to preserve coffee as cultural heritage.
He expressed optimism that with festivals, government support and the growing local coffee market, Arabic coffee will continue to thrive globally.
