Countries around the world mark the International Coffee Day on October 1, as agreed by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in 2015, a day in support of coffee farmers that raises awareness about the most consumed beverage in the world.

The Kingdom is among the biggest consumers of coffee in the world, which makes the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture strongly encourage coffee cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency and increase economic return, contributing to higher non-oil domestic product input in the economy, in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Coffee is linked to the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, customs and traditions, and is closely associated with its people's generosity and hospitality.

The Kingdom is distinguished by its cultivation, preparation and presentation of coffee, which has a different color and taste in different regions. Almost no occasion is celebrated in Saudi Arabia without coffee being served, with the brew having become a symbol of generosity.

The manner in which coffee is prepared and served in Saudi Arabia varies from region to region. And while coffee used to be brewed on firewood, nowadays that is rarely the case; now people could use even an electric coffee pot (dallah) for the purpose.

Even serving coffee follows a ritual: the dallah must be held in and poured with the left hand, and the cup is presented to the guest with the right hand. Serving starts from the right side of the room or with the eldest person, and the host refills the cup until the guest says enough or shakes the cup.

ICO was established in London in 1963; it brings together most of the countries that export and import coffee.

Source: Saudi Press Agency