By Daphne Tan
Drinking coffee is part of the lifestyle in Indonesia. I may not be a regular coffee drinker but ever since I lived in Jakarta, drinking coffee has become my must-do activity on weekends. This is because coffee is everywhere in Jakarta and I would prefer to stay in a coffee house for hours rather than be stuck in the traffic!
What is the coffee drinking habit of Indonesian? The majority of Indonesian prefer to drink coffee that they make at home and occasionally drink in coffee houses or take away from coffee houses. The coffee made at home is usually instant coffee or coffee sachets (coffee that has dried creamer and sugar added). But in recent years, coffee houses have become more popular among youngsters especially in the cities like Jakarta.
In Indonesia, there are many local coffee houses and a number of international coffee house chains. The most popular coffee house chains are Starbucks and J.CO Donuts. One of my favorite local coffee houses is “my Kopi-O!” because the coffee tastes good, the food is yummy, there’s a wide variety of choices, the pricing is great and it has a cozy atmosphere.
Cappuccino, latte, mocha and white coffee are favored by regular coffee drinkers while the original coffee such as black coffee is losing its popularity.
For Indonesians, the preferred way of drinking coffee is eating snack or pastry while drinking. Pastries and snacks go perfectly with coffee. This is also my favorite way of drinking coffee.
Various Types of Coffee in Indonesia
Indonesia produces some of the world’s finest coffee and is the fourth largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia.
The three islands that produce the most and best coffee in Indonesia are Sumatra, Sulawesi and Java. They mainly produce Arabica coffee, first brought in by the Dutch governor in the seventeenth century.
Sidikalang, Mandheling, Lintong and Aceh Gayo are four of the most sought after coffee in Indonesia. The earthy and spicy aroma as well as full-bodied taste and low acidity make Sumatra coffee taste unique and it is one of the best-selling coffees in the world.
Toraja is the most famous coffee in Sulawesi and is more acidic and less bodied compared to Sumatra coffee. Its earthy taste is less prominent than that of Sumatra coffee but more pronounced than that of Java coffee. With its exquisite flavor, Toraja coffee is one of the world’s favorite coffees, particularly in Japan.
Java coffee such as Gunung Biru is slightly spicy and less earthy with medium acidity. Even though it is mild, Java coffee is very smooth and has a lingering finish.
There are several other famous coffees in Indonesia namely Kintamani coffee from Bali, Flores coffee from East Nusa Tenggara and Papua coffee from West Papua. And not forgetting the world most expensive coffee, the Luwak coffee.
Indonesian coffee serves as a fabulous gift for friends around the world with its colorful packaging and the variety it has to offer.
Come join me for a cup of the unique aroma of your choice from the Wonderful Indonesia!
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
