Sweet Coffee - or Saffron Infusion (Qahwat Al-Hilo)

Sweet and Yummy. This is actually just an exotic spice infusion, and though called a coffee, there is no coffee in it. From The Complete Middle East Cookbook, Gulf States section, by Tess Mallos.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4

Ingredients

• 2  cups water
• 3  whole cardamom pods
• 3  teaspoons saffron threads, pounded
•  sugar

Directions

1. Bruise cardamom pods by hitting with a mallet or pound briefly in a mortar.
2. Combine the ingredients in a small pan or large long handled coffe pot.
3. Stir to desolve the sugar, then leave on low heat for 30 minutes until reduced and thick.
4. Serve in Arabic coffee cups*, filling them.
5. *Those small cups the size Chinese tea is served inches.
6. An exotic brew!