Yemeni Remedy…

Since I’ve been sick the past few weeks with a stubborn winter virus, my friend (who lived in Yemen for many years) kindly brewed a Yemeni remedy today to help me get well. Qishr (قشر) is a Yemeni hot beverage made with coffee husks, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. Sugar or honey can be added to sweeten the pot. While drinking my medicinal mixture this evening, I couldn’t help but think of the historical connections between Yemen, coffee, and Sufism — qishr, like coffee, was once a celebrated Sufi staple too…