Karak: The UAE's Favorite Tea
How a strong, spiced, condensed-milk tea became one of the most beloved everyday drinks in the Emirates.
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Chai & Karak
Tea
From roadside karak stalls to the family majlis, tea culture in the UAE is every bit as rich and layered as its coffee traditions. Discover the history and character of karak, black tea, saffron tea, milk tea, Adani tea, and traditional Emirati tea.
Black Tea Traditions
The plain, strong black tea served throughout the day in Emirati homes, often alongside — not instead of — coffee.
Milk Tea
The creamy, lightly spiced tea that sits between plain black tea and a full karak.
Adani Tea
A heavily spiced tea named after the Yemeni port city of Aden, known for its bold blend of spices.
Traditional Emirati Tea
How tea earned a permanent seat alongside qahwa in the Emirati hospitality ritual.