Arab-American Coffee Pot
date: label: Date made
content: 1890-1899
notes: label: Description
content: The brewing of very strong coffee steamed from freshly pulverized beans is a universal form of hospitality among Arab-speaking peoples in the Middle East and neighboring Mediterranean as well as among those from that region who settled in the United States. Indeed, the first coffee available in Europe in the 18th century originated from Turkey. Two of the most treasured objects carried by migrants—whether Bedouins traversing desserts of the Middle East or Lebanese immigrants arriving in the United States on word of money made by Syrian traders at worlds fairs held in Philadelphia in 1876 and Chicago in 1893—were the coffee grinder and the coffee maker.
label: Description
content: Neighborhood coffee houses and national chains have been offering an increasing variety of flavorful strong-brewed espresso drinks since the 1990s, so it may be forgotten that there was a time when coffee offered by grocers, restaurants, and at home was weak, watery, and overcooked. Those planning to immigrate to the United States one hundred years ago were likely forewarned to bring their own coffee-making implements and beans as they planned their trips. This long-stemmed pot was carried by Nellie Bourazak’s mother from Zahle, a large Christian market town in Mount Lebanon, Syria, to Peoria, Illinois some time in the 1890s. It was handcrafted by a local silversmith, possibly as a parting gift from friends. Held over an open fire, it brewed one cup at a time to meet individual tastes as requested by guests. Served at the beginning and the end of meals, the ground coffee was combined with ground cardamom, brought to high boil, then simmered at low heat for a few minutes. The aroma shared over lively leisuretime conversation was a welcome part of the preparation ritual.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: Place Made
content: Lebanon: Béqaa, Zahlé
topic: label: Subject
content: Food Culture
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Ethnic
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content: Food
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content: Cultures & Communities
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content: Family & Social Life
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content: Artifact Walls exhibit
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Thomas Naff for the Faris and Yamna Naff Family Arab-American Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1984.0218.13
label: accession number
content: 1984.0218
label: catalog number
content: 1984.0218.13
objectType: label: Object Name
content: coffeemaker
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: brass (part material)
label: Physical Description
content: silver (part material)
label: Physical Description
content: wood (handle material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 18 cm x 26 cm x 12 cm; 7 1/16 in x 10 1/4 in x 4 3/4 in