THE FINESSE OF ROASTING, BLENDING, AND BREWING

Coffee (pronounced Kahweh in Arabic) is a great deal in Lebanon. It is served throughout the day, at home, at work, in public areas, or in cafes. Lebanese coffee has a special identity engraved in every social and business occasion. In sorrow and joy, success and failure, coffee is the best friend accompanying chats and meetings.

Though similar to coffee in neighboring countries and sometimes referred to as Turkish coffee, Lebanese coffee is slightly different in terms of beans, roasts, and grinds. It is the base of different regional types of coffee and very similar to some in taste. Whereas other countries such as Syria use orange flower water or musk to ornate coffee cups with enriching flavors, some Lebanese add Cardamom, a kind of Guatemalan spice plant, to enjoy a special spicy taste.

The secret of the Lebanese coffee lies in the high-quality Arabica bean and the roasting method mixing the blond and dark types together. Its history roots back to the old Lebanese villages where families used to roast the beans themselves and then grind them by hand. The Lebanese way of gently grinding the coffee into small particles has proven its effects in terms of delicious taste and rich body.

Longing for an authentic cup of Lebanese coffee? Use a long-handled coffee pot (Rakweh) and add one teaspoon of coffee for each cup of fresh water (60 ml). Stir the coffee well over low heat. Make sure you watch it to avoid its overflowing. Bring to a boil then lower the heat and let it settle.

Pour into proper cups about the size of espresso cups. Since filtering is not needed in this process, wait for a few seconds until the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.

Maatouk is proud to be part of the Lebanese coffee family and is striving to present the best image of this historic and highly-valued drink. Its "Lebanese coffee" or Gourmet Blend acknowledges a heritage of 50 years that pay homage to Beirut, a vibrant city that survived many unhappy incidents and maintained its regional and global role as a cultural center. The other Lebanese coffee line "Private Blend" is endorsed by the founder and is his special gift to all coffee admirers.