# Arabic Coffee Cups & Tea Sets Buying Guide: Finjan, Istikana and Karak Glasses (UAE) **By Souk Al Ras Team** · 2026-11-02 Arabic coffee (gahwa) is served in a small cup called a finjan, and tea in a slim glass called an istikana. Together with the dallah, they are the first things a guest notices in your majlis. At Souk Al Ras we sell more than 100 coffee cup sets, tea glasses and tea and coffee sets, from everyday cups to gift-boxed majlis sets. This guide answers the questions our customers ask most, so you choose the right set the first time. Quick answer - **Cup size:** 80–90ml is the classic small finjan; 120ml is a medium cup; 150ml is a larger, more generous cup. - **Material:** porcelain for the classic look and everyday use; heat-resistant glass for a modern look; gold-plated cups for special occasions. - **How many:** most coffee cup sets come in 12. Buy enough for your usual number of guests, plus a few spare. - **Tea:** istikana glasses for classic Arabic tea, glasses with handles for karak, and cup-and-saucer sets for milk tea. - **One set for everything:** tea and coffee sets combine coffee cups, tea glasses, saucers and often a sugar pot in one matching set. ## 1\. What size Arabic coffee cup should I choose? Arabic coffee is served in small amounts and refilled often, so the cup is small. Most of our cup sets state the size in millilitres: | Cup size | Best for | | --- | --- | | 80–90 ml (small) | The classic finjan. Traditional serving in the majlis, Ramadan and Eid | | 120 ml (medium) | Everyday use at home, and guests who like a little more | | 150 ml (large) | A generous cup, also used for tea or ginger and saffron drinks | Many designs come in two or three sizes, so you can pick the same pattern in the size you prefer. **Majlis etiquette:** Arabic coffee is traditionally poured only a little at a time, with a quarter to a third of the cup filled, and offered with the right hand. A guest gently shakes the cup from side to side to say they have had enough. This is why a small cup is more than enough. ## 2\. Porcelain, ceramic or glass? - **Porcelain:** the most popular choice. It is fired at a high temperature, so it is smooth, strong and keeps its colour for years. Look for "heat-resistant porcelain" in the title. - **Ceramic:** slightly thicker and often more colourful, with traditional and heritage patterns. - **Heat-resistant glass:** a modern, clean look. You see the colour of the coffee or tea, and it is easy to wash. - **Gold-plated and engraved metal cups:** for weddings, Eid and special guests. They make a strong impression in the majlis. Designs range from plain white and white with a gold rim, to marble, floral, traditional Gulf and Arabic patterns, Ramadan crescent and lantern designs, and UAE flag designs. ## 3\. How many cups do I need? Most Arabic coffee cup sets come in **12 pieces**, and most glass sets in **6**. As a simple rule, count how many guests you usually host and add a few spare, because cups are washed between rounds of guests and the odd one breaks over time. - **Small family, few guests:** one set of 12 coffee cups and 6 tea glasses. - **Regular majlis:** 24 coffee cups (two sets in the same design) and 12 tea glasses. - **Ramadan, Eid and big gatherings:** a complete hospitality set, or two to three sets of each. ## 4\. Tea glasses: istikana, karak and Turkish tea - **Istikana:** the slim, curved glass used for classic Arabic red tea. Usually sold with saucers, often in gift boxes, in clear, gold or silver designs. - **Karak glasses with handles:** karak is served very hot, so a handle makes it easier to hold. We have many crystal, ribbed and geometric designs, plus printed glasses with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Karak designs. - **Turkish tea and coffee sets:** tea glasses with saucers and spoons, and Turkish coffee cups with saucers, including sets by the Turkish glass brands Paşabahçe and LAV. - **Cup and saucer sets:** porcelain or glass cups for milk tea, coffee and guests who prefer a larger cup. See all [tea, karak and coffee glasses](/collections/tea-coffee-glasses). ## 5\. Tea and coffee sets: one matching set for the majlis A tea and coffee set gives you everything in one design. Read the piece count carefully, because **every cup, saucer, spoon and lid counts as a piece**: - **12 pieces:** usually 6 cups and 6 saucers. - **18 pieces:** usually 6 Arabic coffee cups, 6 tea cups or glasses and 6 saucers. - **20–31 pieces:** often add 2 dallahs, a sugar pot, spoons or a tray. - **Complete hospitality sets (up to 60 pieces):** dallahs, coffee cups, tea and karak glasses, trays and serving plates in one set. As with all sets, check the title and the photo together to see exactly what is included. See all [tea and coffee sets](/collections/cups-saucer-sets) and [complete hospitality sets](/collections/hospitality-sets). ## 6\. Teapots and coffee pots To brew as well as serve, choose a **heat-resistant glass teapot** with a steel infuser, a stainless steel whistling kettle (1L to 5L), an enamel teapot in traditional patterns, or a stainless steel Arabic coffee pot (250ml to 1L) for boiling coffee before pouring it into the dallah. See [teapots, kettles and coffee pots](/collections/teapots-coffee-servers-1). To keep coffee hot for hours, read our [dallah and flask buying guide](/blogs/buying-guides/dallah-flask-buying-guide). ## 7\. UAE flag sets for National Day For UAE National Day on 2 December, and for proud hospitality all year, we have a full range in the UAE flag design: Arabic coffee cups (90ml and 120ml), istikana and karak tea sets, matching dallahs, sugar pots, trays with the UAE emblem and complete hospitality sets of 28 and 60 pieces. They also make a meaningful gift for family, colleagues and the office. See all [UAE flag serving sets](/collections/uae-flag-set). ## 8\. Choosing a gift set Coffee cups and tea sets are one of the most popular gifts for Eid, Ramadan, weddings, housewarmings and National Day. Choose a set that comes in a **gift box**, pick a classic design (white with gold, or a traditional pattern) if you are not sure of the person's taste, and add a matching dallah for a complete gift. ## 9\. Care tips - Wash cups with gold or silver rims by hand with a soft sponge. The dishwasher dulls the metal over time. - Do not put cups with gold or silver detailing in the microwave. - Avoid sudden temperature changes with glass: do not pour boiling tea into an ice-cold glass. - Store cups upright or on a cup stand, so the rims do not chip. A cup stand or holder keeps 6 to 12 cups organised and ready to serve. See our [serving stands and cup holders](/collections/serving-stands-trolleys). ## Frequently asked questions ### What size is a traditional Arabic coffee cup? The classic finjan is small, around 80–90ml. Medium cups are around 120ml and larger cups around 150ml. Arabic coffee is poured only a little at a time, so a small cup is usually enough. ### Are porcelain or glass Arabic coffee cups better? Porcelain is the most popular: smooth, strong and long-lasting, with classic designs. Heat-resistant glass gives a modern look and lets you see the colour of the coffee. Both are good choices; it depends on your style. ### How many Arabic coffee cups do I need? Most sets come in 12. Count your usual number of guests and add a few spare. A regular majlis usually needs around 24 coffee cups and 12 tea glasses. ### What is an istikana? An istikana is the slim, curved glass used for serving Arabic tea. It is usually sold with saucers, and often in gift boxes. ### Which glasses are best for karak tea? Glasses with handles, because karak is served very hot. Choose heat-resistant glass in crystal, ribbed or printed designs. ### Can I put gold-rimmed cups in the dishwasher? It is better to wash cups with gold or silver rims by hand, and never put them in the microwave. This keeps the metal detailing bright for longer. ### Do you deliver coffee cups and tea sets across the UAE? Yes. We deliver to all emirates in 1–2 working days, with same-day delivery available in Dubai and Sharjah for orders placed before 2 PM (arranged with our team on WhatsApp). Shop coffee cups and tea sets at Souk Al Ras Browse all [coffee, tea and drinkware](/collections/drinkware), or go straight to [Arabic coffee cups](/collections/traditional-pattern-arabic-coffee-cups), [tea and coffee sets](/collections/cups-saucer-sets), [tea and karak glasses](/collections/tea-coffee-glasses) and [UAE flag sets](/collections/uae-flag-set). Pay by card, cash on delivery or Tabby. Need help choosing? Message us on WhatsApp at [+971 50 193 3053](https://wa.me/971501933053). This guide was written by the Souk Al Ras team and first published on SoukAlRas.ae on 2 November 2026. © 2026 Souk Al Ras. All rights reserved. **Tags:** Arabic Coffee Cups, Buying Guide, Tea Sets --- > Source: [Souk Al Ras](https://soukalras.ae/blogs/buying-guides/arabic-coffee-cups-tea-sets-buying-guide)