Hospitality: spices that mark them

Hospitality is where spice appears as an act of welcome, in a cup of cardamom coffee, a tray of tea with ginger, a plate of nuts with chilli or a pinch of salt shared at the door.

Offering a drink

Arabic coffee, flavoured with cardamom and offered in small cups, is a sign of welcome across the Gulf and Levant. Chai with ginger and cardamom is offered in South Asian homes, and mint tea is the Moroccan greeting.

Offering food

A host who offers spiced food shows generosity. Georgian supra, Ethiopian coffee ceremony and Indian thali meals express hospitality through plenty.

Etiquette

Guests are usually expected to accept at least a little. Say if you have a food restriction, which hosts will usually understand.