Coffee is an incredibly popular global beverage and contains caffeine, which has been shown to boost concentration, alertness and performance while simultaneously relieving fatigue and improving mood. But too much coffee consumption can be harmful and lead to intoxication; therefore, many Muslims remain concerned about its safety; although most scholars consider drinking moderate quantities permissible.

What defines halal coffee? The answer depends on its source, preparation method, and ingredients added during production. Flavored coffees may contain non-halal ingredients like milk, sugar and vanilla; additionally sachets and cafes may include ingredients derived from animals slaughtered unhygienically for gelatin production. Therefore if you are Muslim interested in drinking coffee it is crucial that packaging has the required halal certification.

Gaining Halal certification for coffee involves extensive inspections of raw materials, processing and roasting methods and equipment to ensure all components adhere to Islamic dietary laws. Furthermore, certification requires ethical sources of ingredients as well as compliance with a code of conduct which ensures worker welfare. Finally, all Halal certified products should be clearly marked on labels so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

Although most varieties of coffee are considered halal, wine-infused coffee is not, since it contains alcohol. Traditional wine made from fermented grapes is prohibited under Islam; however if the alcohol in it evaporates during roasting then it may be permitted in some circumstances. Furthermore, certain flavored coffees contain dairy which is prohibited.

Although coffee is now part of our everyday culture, its consumption was once considered sinful by Kha’ir Beg and Seyhulislam Ebussuud el-Imadi of Ottoman Empire’s official religious scholar Seyhulislam Ebussuud el-Imadi for fear it might lead to people gathering in coffee shops who might start harboring thoughts that conflicted with their beliefs. The ban was lifted in 1524 and gradually become accepted beverage among Muslims worldwide.

To obtain halal coffee, the easiest and simplest method is to visit a certified store or cafe that has been inspected and approved by an Islamic dietary law inspector. These establishments must abide by Islamic dietary laws when purchasing their ingredients – from beans and sachets all the way through to milk – in order to meet them. Additionally, all halal-certified stores and cafes must be adequately ventilated to prevent the ingestion of forbidden toxins. Starbucks is perhaps best-known for offering an impressive selection of halal beverages including its famous eggnog with added rum. Other seasonal coffee flavors from certified producers are also available, such as the well-known Luwak coffee made with beans harvested from Asian palm civets considered halal.