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Egypt played a crucial role
in popularising coffee in the Arab world.
During the Ottoman domination
(1660 onward)
half of Yemen’s coffee yield
ended up in Turkey or Egypt.
The brew became popular
regardless of race, religion,
social class and culture.
Cafés sprung up all over the country.
By the end of the 17th century
there were 643 cafés in Cairo
as well as 360 caravanserais,
located mostly near the workshops.
The cafés were humble places
the owners would fit out with mats,
benches and chests;
the only decorations were large mirrors
hanging from the walls.
The cafés soon became meeting places
for all kinds of workers.
Cafés for ragmen and fishermen appeared;
some cafés in Alexandria are still rife
with the atmosphere of days gone by.
Egypt’s coffee-making tradition
ties in with popular culture.
A poorly made pot of coffee
i.e. lacking foam on top
is said to have “lost its face.”
When plotting against someone,
the saying is that “you’ll drink coffee
on that person’s grave.”
From simple restoration places,
the cafés became full-blown meeting places.
Board games, dances and hookahs appeared.