Cafe blanc is a caffeine-free Lebanese white coffee made without any coffee. Just hot water and orange blossom water, sometimes sweetened.
The other night I was sipping on a cup of ahweh bayda (cafe blanc) with my mother when she reminded me of something - she used to add small amounts of orange blossom water to our cold drinking water in summer, and when we had an upset stomach, she would give us a little to help settle it.
It struck me how a single scent can unlock a memory that has been sitting quietly for years.
The beauty of this drink is that it does exactly that; it's gentle, fragrant, and entirely familiar.
What Is Cafe Blanc?
The name is French for "white coffee," a nod to French being Lebanon's unofficial second language after Arabic.
In Arabic it is called ahweh bayda or written as kahweh baida, both translating to white coffee. It contains no coffee whatsoever. The name refers to its pale, clear appearance in the cup.
Why Serve Cafe Blanc?
In Lebanon, rounds of Lebanese coffee are offered to guests as part of hospitality, it is one of the rituals of the Lebanese table.
Cafe blanc is served in its place for those who don't drink coffee, or after a heavy meal when something lighter and more settling is called for. It is a thoughtful alternative, not an afterthought.
Flavor Profile
A cup of ahweh bayda is closer to a floral herbal tea than anything else. Imagine sweetened citrus blossom notes in hot water. It is soft, aromatic, and surprisingly satisfying.
My preference is to leave out the sweetener entirely and let the orange blossom do all the work. It is magical and deeply familiar.
Why Orange Blossom Water?
In Lebanon, orange blossom water has been used for generations well beyond the kitchen.
My mother gave us small amounts as children when our stomachs were unsettled, and she was not alone in that, it is a practice common across Lebanese and Levantine households.
Traditionally it is considered calming and settling, the kind of remedy passed down through families rather than written in textbooks. Whether you sip it for the flavor or the comfort it brings, a small cup of ahweh bayda is never a bad idea.
I also use it as a face toner mixed with rose water, my skin loves it and the delicate scent makes me take deep calming breaths.
Ingredients
Buy Now → The complete list of ingredients with measurements, can be found in the full recipe card below.
The only ingredient that truly matters here is the orange blossom water. The brand I like to use (linked above) is made in Lebanon through steam distillation of bitter orange blossoms. The result is anything but bitter. It is gentle, floral, and aromatic. A little goes a long way, so start with less than you think you need and build from there.
A rakweh is the traditional small long-handled pot used to heat Lebanese coffee and cafe blanc. It brings the water to a boil quickly and makes it easy to pour directly into a demitasse cup. If you don't have one, an electric kettle works perfectly, see tips below.
For sweetener, honey or white sugar are the traditional choices. Sweetener is always served on the side so each person adjusts to their own taste.
What I Use to Make This Recipe
Buy Now → Serve It Cold
In summer, Lebanese white coffee translates beautifully into a cold drink.
Fill a tall glass three-quarters with cold water, add a couple of teaspoons of orange blossom water and sweetener if using, stir to dissolve, and serve over ice. No boiling required.
Janelle's Tips
- Serve the sweetener on the side so guests can control their own cup.
- Don't have a rakweh? Use your electric kettle. Pour boiling water directly into the demitasse cup, then stir in the orange blossom water.
- Never boil the orange blossom water directly, heat diminishes its aroma and beneficial properties.
- Start with one teaspoon of orange blossom water per cup and adjust from there. It is potent.
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Recipe
Cafe Blanc (Lebanese White Coffee)
Ingredients
- 1 demitasse cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Orange blossom water
- 1 teaspoon Honey or sugar, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the water. Bring the water to a boil in a rakweh or kettle.
- Add the orange blossom water. Pour the boiling water into a demitasse cup. Immediately stir in the orange blossom water. Do not boil the orange blossom water directly.
- Serve. Offer sugar or honey on the side for guests to sweeten to their own taste.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
If you enjoyed this recipe, consider supporting my work for the cost of a cup of coffee.
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