Discover Sheikh Zayed’s Coffee Recipe at ADIHEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi
Visitors to ADIHEX 2026 have an opportunity to discover a deeply personal aspect of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, through something synonymous with Emirati hospitality: a cup of coffee.
The Founder’s Office is presenting Sheikh Zayed’s documented coffee recipe at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026, offering visitors an insight into the coffee traditionally served in his majlis and the values associated with it.
More than simply documenting how the coffee was prepared, the experience explores its connection to generosity, hospitality, respect and dialogue – values that characterised Sheikh Zayed’s majlis and his interactions with guests and members of the community.
The Story Behind Sheikh Zayed’s Coffee
Coffee has long held an important place within Emirati hospitality, but the recipe presented at ADIHEX has a particularly significant history.
The Founder’s Office documented the recipe using verified historical sources, specialised research and first-hand testimonies from people who knew Sheikh Zayed and were directly involved in preparing his coffee.
The documentation process also drew on the knowledge of Sheikh Zayed’s personal coffee makers, who served in his majlis from 1966 until 2004.
Their recollections helped preserve details surrounding the recipe and its preparation across Sheikh Zayed’s majlis as well as official and informal occasions.
By documenting these memories, The Founder’s Office is helping preserve an element of living heritage that might otherwise exist primarily through personal recollection.
Why Coffee Mattered in Sheikh Zayed’s Majlis
The story extends beyond the ingredients or method used to prepare a particular cup of coffee.
Within Sheikh Zayed’s majlis, serving coffee formed part of a wider tradition of welcoming people and creating an environment for conversation.
The Founder’s Office highlights how coffee helped encourage dialogue and connection between Sheikh Zayed, his guests and members of the community.
Seen through that perspective, the documented recipe provides visitors with another way of understanding Sheikh Zayed’s approach to engaging with people.
The majlis was not simply a physical gathering place. The traditions surrounding it reflected values of openness, generosity and respect, many of which remain closely associated with Emirati culture today.
Preserving an Authentic Memory for Future Generations
One of the most interesting aspects of the project is the effort that has gone into establishing the recipe through historical documentation rather than simply recreating a generic version of traditional Emirati coffee.
Combining research with the first-hand knowledge of people directly connected to Sheikh Zayed’s majlis allows The Founder’s Office to preserve the story with greater authenticity.
It also transforms an everyday tradition into a historical record.
For younger generations who never experienced Sheikh Zayed’s majlis themselves, the recipe provides a tangible connection to those memories and the values they represented.
Experience Sheikh Zayed’s Legacy at ADIHEX 2026
The coffee experience forms part of a wider programme presented by The Founder’s Office during ADIHEX.
Visitors can head to The Founder’s Office pavilion, Stand 5-040 in Hall 5, where additional content and activities explore different aspects of Sheikh Zayed’s life, legacy and values.
The pavilion adds a thoughtful cultural dimension to an exhibition already closely connected with Emirati heritage and traditions.
And while a historic coffee recipe may initially seem like a small detail within the much larger story of the UAE’s Founding Father, it is precisely these personal traditions that can offer a different perspective on history.
Through a cup once served in his majlis, visitors can discover not only how Sheikh Zayed preferred his coffee, but also the enduring culture of hospitality, generosity and conversation that surrounded it.
Where to experience it: The Founder’s Office Pavilion, Hall 5, Stand 5-040, ADIHEX 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
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