MEDINA ILYAS is an esteemed cultural explorer and author, her life and work interwoven with the threads of diverse global traditions. When she first moved to Oman 17 years ago, she was introduced to a distinctive beverage by her future mother-in-law, unlike anything she had ever tasted before. This intriguing encounter sparked curiosity in Medina, propelling her to research and document the intricate world of Arabic coffee. Through her exploration, she perceived that the essence of Arab culture is deeply rooted in hospitality and that Arabic coffee serves as a symbolic language and a unifying tool for this hospitable spirit.

Born in Kazakhstan, Medina's journey took a transformative turn at 21 when she met her future husband from Oman. Three years later, she found herself immersed in the rich cultural landscape of Oman, developing a profound appreciation for the heritage and art of Arabic coffee-making.

Possessing arguably the largest collection of Arabic coffee recipes (over 700 documented recipes from all over the Middle East), a compilation still in expansion, Medina feels a solemn duty to preserve and transmit this intricate heritage to future generations. As a dedicated mother of three in an era of digitization and increasing globalization, she spent 15+ meticulous years collecting unique recipes, traveling extensively across the Middle East, and documenting the vibrant traditions associated with Arabic coffee, thereby establishing herself as a true connoisseur in this realm.

Medina is also a passionate outdoor enthusiast, with her most transformative experiences coming from interactions with indigenous communities in places like Tanzania, Zambia, and Alaska, as well as with nomadic families in Kazakhstan and Bedouins in Oman. Medina believes in immersing oneself in the lifestyles, languages, traditions, and rituals of a culture to truly understand it. This conviction has driven her to learn Spanish and Italian and to study the Japanese tea ceremony before she shifted all her attention to Arabic coffee.

For the last 15 years, Medina has been on a captivating sensory journey, discovering the myriad stories and enduring traditions entwined with Arabic coffee. It's not just about savoring a beverage; it's a voyage through a rich tapestry of tradition, connection, and heritage, as vibrant and authentic as Medina's own odyssey to preserve, promote, and celebrate this beautiful cultural heritage.