12 Traditional Gulf Snacks That Pair Perfectly With Arabic Coffee

From rich to flavour to the local ingredients, traditional Gulf Snacks are an integral piece of the Gulf coffee culture. Unlike Turkish coffee, Gahwa is brewed unsweetened, and then flavored with aromatic cardamom. Saffron or cloves are occasionally used to flavor it as well.

Accompaniments provide a traditional complement, with naturally sweet dates and Luqaimat dipped in the syrup, savoury chickpeas and roasted nuts, reflecting the coffee’s unique bitter flavour. These combinations are sure to delight any dinner party and are a tasty way to sample the region’s cuisine from home.

Traditional Gulf Snacks Featuring Dates and Nuts

Premium Varieties of Dates

Along with the Arabic coffee, dates are an iconic symbol of Gulf hospitality enjoyed by many. Available varieties include the sweet, juicy and flavoury Ajwa, soft textured Sukkari and sweet and caramel flavoured Khalas.

They are naturally sweet, so they don’t need added sugar, and they offset the bitter taste of unsweetened coffee. The serving of dates with Gahwa is a very common practice during family reunions, festivity and formal receptions all over the Gulf region.

Stuffed Dates With Nuts and Candied Orange Peel

Stuffed dates are an enhanced version of a classic accompaniment. The almonds, walnuts and pistachios give a soft crunchy contrast to the soft fruit while the crunchy candied orange peel offers a hint of citrus flavour.

A couple of varieties also have a light twist of chocolate. The warm, aromatic nature of cardamom coffee is balanced and complemented by these additions which contribute a sweetness, nuttiness, and interesting texture.

Roasted Almonds and Pistachios

People who want a less sugary snack can go for roasted almonds or pistachios. They are crunchy when lightly salted or dry roasted, and add a nutty flavor to the Arabic coffee.

They are also savory, providing a healthy balance with sweeter coffee pairings, making them great for serving up alongside traditional coffee.

Traditional Gulf Snacks With Sweet Syrups and Rich Flavours

Luqaimat

Luqaimat are bite-sized, wonderfully golden soft dough balls with a crunchy outside layer and a soft interior. They are usually paired with date molasses or honey, and occasionally adorned with toasted sesame seeds, and are native to the Emirati and food traditions throughout the Gulf region.

In contrast, their sweetness is syrupy, while the finish of Gahwa is single sweet, which is unsweetened. It’s particularly tasty for those who like desserts that have a crisp outer and a rich, sweet heart to them.

Khabees

Also known as Khabeesa in some regional variations, Khabeesa is a traditional Gulf sweet which consists of roasted flour, butter, sugar and aromatic sweets including cardamom, saffron and rose water along with many other ingredients.

Its crumbly texture and buttery flavour make it a comforting accompaniment to Arabic coffee. The spices also hint at the aromatic elements in the coffee, complementing it perfectly.

Chebab

Chebab is the Emirati version of pancakes that are often flavored by cardamom and saffron. They are golden in colour and have a perfume-like flavour from their light yellow and fragrant dough mixed with butter or date syrup to make them plump.

These pancakes come in perfect weather to be served with Arabic coffee. The sweetness and floral character of their aroma work well with the coffee and its spice forwardness for breakfast and an afternoon tea.

Omani halwa

Omani halwa is amongst the popular traditional Omani sweets. Common ingredients are sugar, starch, ghee, saffron, rose water, cashews, almonds, pistachios and various other nuts.

It is so glossy and compact that a small amount will suffice and it is so sweet that you don’t need a lot. Playing with a bite of halwa and a cup of bitter Arabic coffee brings sweetness and aromatic bitterness in contrast.

Traditional Gulf Snacks With Comforting Textures and Local Ingredients

Asida

Asida (also known as “asda” in Lebanon) is a traditional local dish from many Arab and Gulfian cultures made with flour. It is made by the method of frying the flour over fire and cooked till it has a thick and smooth texture, and then butter and other ingredients are added based on the regional recipe.

In some varieties honey or molasses is added and they are flavored with cardamom. It’s a savoury pairing to the light-flavoured Arabic because of its soft texture and deep flavour.

Bathitha

Bathitha is a rustic gulf sweet that is usually made by roasting flour, date paste, butter and cardamon. It can be one prepared into little chunks and served.

The dates and toasted flour accentuate the bathitha’s rich caramel flavors, and the butter gives it a nice rich texture. It contains a high amount of sweetness, and is best suited to be served in small morsels with unsweetened Gahwa.

Regag

Regag is an extremely thin bread which is traditionally cooked on a hot griddle. It is used in the cuisine of the Emirati people and can be topped with cheese, eggs, honey and ghee.

Regag, which is a form of coffee guar, is a crisp texture with gentle sweetness when warmed up with some clarified butter and honey, for a sweet coffee base. It’s a good choice for a morning brew or a casual afternoon meet-up.

Atyaf and Sweet Dumplings

Folded pancakes and sweet dumplings are also used to do justice to Arabic coffee. They can be stuffed with cream, soft cheese or crushed nuts and may be drizzled with a light sugar syrup.

The centre part of their bodies are soft, creamy, or even bitter, counterbalanced by the coffee’s bitter taste, and the fillings are generally nut-based to add texture. They are small and sweet and, depending on the community, can be called by a variety of names, so these sweets take the place and should be viewed within the broader context of regional practices of providing small sweets for hot beverages.

Traditional Gulf Snacks for Savoury Arabic Coffee Pairings

Bajeh: Boiled Spiced Chickpeas

The boiled chickpea snack known as bajeh is a savory variety of the beans which are often paired with Gahwa in sweet dishes. Seasoning with cumin, turmeric and dried lime (loomi) and other spices, the chickpeas are cooked until tender.

These earthy flavors and subtle flavors make Arabic coffee taste better, as they enhance its floral and slightly bitter strong taste. This makes them a good choice for those who like savoury snacks in preference to syrup based desserts.

Choosing Between Sweet and Savoury Accompaniments

Guests can order sweet and savory dishes as coffee items at the Gulf so that they can choose their preferred items. Dates, Luqaimat and Omani halwa are sweet and provide lots of sweetness, whilst chickpeas and roasted nuts are savoury.

If a traditional presentation, serve small amounts on their own plates or bowls and serve freshly-made Arabic coffee at the same time. This strategy will keep the coffee focus and leave room for other textures and flavourings to play off of each other.

In the end, this is a match of personal taste. It could be a soft date, a crisp pancake or a handful of roasted pistachios; each complementing in his own special way the distinctive flavour of Gahwa.

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