Bitter Coffee with Cardamom

At funerals and weddings, on holidays, and during religious ceremonies, there is always coffee. This kind of coffee differs from standard Arabic (also known as Turkish) coffee both in preparation and in taste: The beans are of a darker roast and must be very coarsely crushed and boiled for 2 hours. They are often roasted over an open flame. The resulting brew is strong and bitter and is served in very small portions, half the size of a traditional espresso, never with sugar.