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Just as his coffee beans must make the journey from Yemen to the United States, so did Ibrahim Alhasbani. And although there are challenges in both journeys, the result is worth it. The passion and connection behind each cup of coffee served at Qahwah House go beyond what many baristas can offer.
Origins and History of Qahwah House
Yemeni coffee is known to be one of the best coffees in the world. What makes it unique is the natural process used to grow it, and all the natural and rich flavors that you can taste in every sip. My advice is to always drink it black so you can taste our delicious coffee, not the cream and sugar. Dearborn has a diverse population, and all were very supportive when I first opened and still are!
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It also has a natural chocolate flavor that other places have tried to emulate by adding chocolate to coffee and calling it mocha. Coffee always had a social quality to it, Um said, adding that coffeehouses could be found in major cities like Cairo, Istanbul and Damascus by the mid 1500s. The drink also had detractors, who thought it could inspire radical ideas or seditiousness because of its social character, she said. Around the 15th century, Sufi monks were known to make coffee to stay awake during mediation and prayers. As it grew in popularity, the lucrative crop was shipped across the Middle East and Europe from the Red Sea port.
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Waell also says Qahwah House has an unparalleled social atmosphere and welcoming environment. “You got one person sitting [at] a table alone and then by the end of the time he leaves, he has 20 people sitting with him,” he says. For practising Muslims who do not go to clubs or bars, there are few places to hang out other than restaurants. Qahwah House provides an alternative community space for people to socialise. Waell Ali, a co-owner of the Clifton location, said he learned about the heritage of Yemen, his family’s country of origin, when he started working at Qahwah House. Now known as Clifton’s Republic, the multi-story property at 648 S.
"That's why I decided to open in this area. I want other nationalities to come together and see what's going on. It's not like what you see on TV. We have good drinks and we have good culture we can share with everyone." Though Qahwah House doesn't serve tea in empty cans of kidney beans, the taste is very much the same and reminds Kaid of home, he says. The first time Husam Kaid tried Adeni chai (Yemeni tea) at Qahwah House, it reminded him of Yemen. One sip and he was reminiscing about Ramadan nights in the old city of Sanaa. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry.
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Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or a food enthusiast, qahwah house is sure to leave a lasting impression on first-time visitors. Be sure to come with an empty stomach and an open mind to fully appreciate the unique experience that awaits you. Our team takes pride in serving only the finest quality coffee and tea, as well as a delectable selection of pastries and light bites.
The Yemeni coffee shop in America that feels like home - The New Arab
The Yemeni coffee shop in America that feels like home.
Posted: Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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Waell Ali, co-owner of the newest Clifton branch in New Jersey, lives in New York and has been friends with Ibrahim since before the founding of Qahwah House. Waell started getting involved when the Brooklyn branch opened around three years ago. He described the coffee as having natural sweetness and a fruity, not bitter, aftertaste.
Here, you’ll also meet Ibrahim Alhasbani—the founder, owner, roaster, and barista behind Qahwah House, which means “coffee” in Arabic. While people waited for their orders, many would stand and admire a giant map that traced the roots of Yemeni coffee and how it was distributed to the rest of the world. One of Alhasbani's reasons for launching Qahwah House was to build bridges between cultures. It's one of the main reasons why the New York City location is in Brooklyn's Williamsburg, a majority white, Jewish neighbourhood, he says. And for many of the young Muslims and Arabs in New York, Qahwah House serves as a place of community - a place where they can get a taste of the place many of them yearn to be in.
For many Muslims and Arab Americans, Yemeni coffee shop Qahwah House feels like home
He says they are the reason so many more people have started to learn about Yemen. The staff are his friends, one is his brother, and they get his tea ready as soon as he walks in the door. "There are no Arabs or Muslims in this area," Alhasbani told MEE.
With this situation in Yemen it’s hard to bring coffee beans to the U.S.A. It’s a challenge, but you have to take a risk. The coffee there is grown organically in higheraltitudes and prepared using natural methods. A Yemeni immigrant, Ibrahim has been roasting and brewing coffee in Dearborn for two years. But not just any coffee—he imports all his beans directly from his own family farm that he grew up on in Yemen.
Whether you’re looking for a quick caffeine fix on-the-go or seeking a relaxing spot to unwind with friends, Qahwah House offers a welcoming atmosphere that caters to every individual need. Here at the coffee shop, I use the same recipes my ancestors and family used to prepare the traditional Yemeni drinks. We use spices such as cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon in many of our drinks. People from all over Michigan and the United States come to enjoy our coffee, and many comment that it’s like nothing they’ve ever tried before. Aleyna Ciftci, 24, of Wayne said she used to travel to Brooklyn to visit another franchise location that became a popular hangout for young Muslims. She enjoys talking with friends, playing cards and drinking chai there, she said.
The Clifton café, which opened Nov. 6, is in a location that straddles the border with Paterson in an area that is home to many Middle Eastern restaurants, bakeries and grocery stories. "Anything that comes from the place of origin is always the best." It’s a history that franchise founder Ibrahim Alhasbani is eager to share.
DEARBORN—A cup of Joe is readily available at almost every intersection in the metropolitan area, especially Dearborn, where coffee shops, diners, hookah bars and gas stations all boast a bold and strong coffee. "This space reminds young Muslims, young Arabs of our culture," Alhasbani said. "It reminds us where we come from, so they will not forget their culture and their history, and they will work to improve on this history." Noorehden says one of his favourite parts about working at Qahwah House, especially when he worked the morning shift, was the fresh smell of the coffee beans, which are roasted and brewed in-house after arriving from Yemen.
Ibrahim’s goal was to create a space that was welcoming for everyone, and not just one type of customer, though many customers are Muslim or Arab (or both). Originally, we are from Yemen where we were born and raised amidst coffee plants.Our expertise originates from a long line of ancestors, all committed to the tradition and innovation of coffee. From this inherited practice, we know what it means to love coffee. Qahwah House is in the process of planning its grand opening for sometime in late October.
Over a decade ago, Dandia was surveilled by a New York Police Department informant. He then became a part of a class-action lawsuit against the NYPD over the surveillance of Muslims. For a long time, he and other young Muslims didn't feel safe in closed spaces.
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