Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Why this recipe works
- Fast stovetop brewing: The coffee is brewed directly with cardamom and water, making it ready in minutes without specialist equipment.
- Aromatic depth: Cracked green cardamom infuses the water as the coffee heats, giving the drink its distinctive warm, herbal fragrance.
- Gentle rise, smooth finish: Removing the pan as soon as the coffee rises helps avoid harsh bitterness while allowing the grounds to settle before serving.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve straight away: Gahwa is best poured soon after the grounds have settled; if it sits too long, the flavour becomes stronger and the texture grittier.
- Let the grounds settle: A short stand after brewing gives the coffee grounds time to sink, making it easier to pour a clearer cup.
Ingredient notes
- Use green cardamom: Green cardamom pods give the clean, fragrant aroma associated with gahwa; crack them lightly so their flavour infuses without overpowering the coffee.
- Finely ground coffee matters: Turkish-style ground coffee works well because it brews quickly in the pan and settles at the bottom after heating.
- Sweeten to taste: Caster sugar can be brewed with the coffee, or a liquid sweetener can be stirred into the cup after pouring for more control.
Common mistakes
- Boiling too hard: A vigorous boil can make the coffee taste harsh and may cause it to foam over, so keep the heat moderate and watch closely.
- Missing the rise: Take the pan off the heat as soon as the foam lifts; waiting longer pushes the brew towards bitterness.
- Pouring too quickly: Pour slowly into the cup so most of the grounds remain in the pan rather than ending up in the drink.
Serving ideas
- Serve with dates: Dates are a natural match for the bitter, aromatic coffee and add sweetness without needing to heavily sweeten the drink.
- Use small cups: Small servings suit the intensity of the coffee and help keep the grounds settled as it is sipped.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods to crack them open. Add the water to a small saucepan and tip in the cardamom.
- Stir in the ground coffee and, if using, the caster sugar. Set the pan over medium heat and stir briefly to combine.
- Bring the coffee just to a gentle rise, watching closely as foam forms at the surface, then immediately remove from the heat. Leave it to settle so the grounds sink.
- Pour slowly into a small cup, keeping the grounds in the pan as much as possible. Let the cup stand for a minute before sipping.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the heat moderate and remove the pan as soon as the coffee rises; a hard boil will make it taste harsh and can cause it to overflow.
- For a clearer cup, let the coffee settle for an extra minute, then pour very slowly so the grounds stay behind.
- If serving to pregnant people, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use freshly boiled water and ensure the coffee is brought to a clear rise before settling.
Substitutions
- Replace caster sugar with agave syrup, stirring it into the cup after pouring so you can sweeten to taste.
- Replace green cardamom pods with ground green cardamom for a smoother cup; use a small pinch and stir well to avoid clumps.
Storage
- Best made and served immediately. If it sits, the grounds continue to settle and the coffee can become overly strong and gritty.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 cups
- Total time: 10min (10min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Galão (Portuguese Latte)
Portuguese latte with espresso and plenty of steamed milk
Thai Iced Coffee
Thai iced coffee served over ice with condensed milk
Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
Unfiltered Turkish coffee gently heated with water and optional sugar
Mazagran (Iced Coffee with Lemon)
Iced coffee with lemon juice, ice and a little sugar
Iced Turkish Coffee
Strong iced Turkish coffee poured over ice after cooling
Caffè Leccese (Iced Coffee with Almond Milk)
Iced espresso with sweetened almond drink
Oolong Tea
Fragrant oolong tea brewed in hot water, served plain or sweetened
Kir Royale (Champagne and Crème de Cassis Cocktail)
Sparkling Champagne cocktail with crème de cassis
Black Sesame Banana Smoothie
A creamy smoothie with banana, black sesame and soy milk.
Horchata Casera (Homemade Rice and Cinnamon Drink)
Chilled rice drink blended with cinnamon, vanilla and sugar
Ginger Milk Tea
Hot ginger milk tea brewed with black tea, milk and sugar
Caipirinha (Brazilian Lime Cocktail)
Caipirinha with muddled lime, caster sugar, cachaça and ice
Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
Unfiltered Turkish coffee gently heated with water and optional sugar
Iced Turkish Coffee
Strong iced Turkish coffee poured over ice after cooling
Cinnamon Coffee
Foamy coffee warmed with ground cinnamon
Basundi (Thickened Sweetened Milk with Cardamom and Saffron)
Thickened sweetened milk dessert with cardamom, saffron and pistachios
Shrikhand (Strained Yoghurt Dessert)
Strained yoghurt pudding flavoured with saffron and cardamom
Homemade Soy Milk
Fresh soya milk made by soaking, blending, simmering and straining
You might also like
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air fryer cheeseburgers with melted cheddar on beef patties.
Poke Bowl with Sushi Rice
Sushi rice poke bowl with salmon, avocado and cucumber.
Air Fryer Tofu and Vegetables
Crispy tofu and vegetables cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel
Smoked salmon bagel with lemon cream cheese, cucumber and capers
Tarte Tatin (Caramelised Apple Tart)
Upside-down caramelised apple tart with puff pastry
Torta Mimosa (Italian Sponge Cake with Pastry Cream)
Italian sponge cake with pastry cream and whipped cream
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
- Excellent heat control
- Premium build quality
- Expensive
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
