Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine November 2016 | Page 83

Explore | Flavours

© Sendy Aditya; © Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko / Shutterstock;

Banyuwangi Arabica,
Indonesia’s current hottest
brew, leaves a lasting aftertaste
on the palates of coffee lovers
everywhere. Colours speaks
with a purveyor and expert of
Banyuwangi coffee, Setiawan
Subekti, to learn more.
The first coffee shop, Kiva Han, opened in
Constantinople in 1453, and now, with some
400 billion cups consumed each year, coffee
has become the world’s most popular drink.
First known in Europe as ‘Arabian wine’,
coffee was transplanted to the Indonesian
archipelago in the 17th century by means of
Dutch and British colonial trade. Since then
coffee has woven itself into the lives of
Indonesians from the easternmost tip of
Sabang to the westernmost edge of the
archipelago in Merauke. In fact, coffee is one
of the most important contributors to the
Indonesian economy from the agricultural
sector, with Indonesia currently the fourthlargest coffee producer in the world after
Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia.
While there’s no place on the podium yet for
Indonesia in terms of volume, the varieties of
coffee produced by this archipelagic nation
can overwhelm even the most discerning of
aficionados. Sumatran Mandheling, Blue
Batak, Aroma Toba, Aceh Gayo, Java,
Preanger, Toraja, Lintong, Kalosi, Flores
Bajawa, Wamena and, of course, the most
expensive, Luwak, are only some of the
country’s premium coffees that have enjoyed
widespread popularity.
Recently, a new variant from East Java has
been stealing the spotlight. Banyuwangi
coffee, with its low acidity and medium body,
has become an instant favourite among the
caffeine community.
“Coffee grown in highland areas develops
unique flavours. This is especially true for
Banyuwangi arabica,” says Setiawan Subekti,
professional coffee tester and owner of
Sanggar Genjah Arum cultural centre.

A farmer in Banyuwangi harvests his
ripe coffee cherries.
Roasted coffee beans ready to grind.
Hand selecting the best coffee beans.

Banyuwangi coffee, with its low
acidity and medium body, has
become an instant favourite
among the caffeine community.

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