82 Explore | Flavours
The verdant highlands of Banyuwangi produce beans with a unique flavour profile .
Ripe coffee cherries ready to harvest .
© Mark Eveleigh ; © Videowokart / Shutterstock ;
Besides producing his own brews , Iwan has also been actively promoting the traditional art of coffee making to local and foreign visitors .
“ Additionally , most coffee plantations in Banyuwangi are facing east , providing the plants with the first light and the sea breeze in the morning and the sulfur aroma at night . As a result , Banyuwangi coffee has a distinct flavour that sits well on most palates , from amateur coffee lovers to the most informed connoisseur .”
Iwan , as Subekti prefers to be called , is himself a well-known Banyuwangi coffee producer , most renowned for his Kopai Osing coffee , which is grown in his home base of Desa Kemiren . Besides producing his own brews , Iwan has also been actively promoting the traditional art of coffee making to local and foreign visitors . “ I have been promoting the traditional way of making coffee to reach all levels of society . Using traditional equipment they can roast the coffee and the end result will not be much different from those processed by machines ,” he says . “ The coffee tour we offer gives visitors a glimpse into how coffee is made , from planting , to harvesting and roasting until it reaches your cup .”
So , how to best enjoy a cup of Indonesian coffee ? “ It actually depends on each individual , but to get the best experience , smell the wafting aroma first , then sip . A good coffee should have a lasting aftertaste on your tongue and palate ,” he advises .
Of Indonesia ’ s close to 1 million hectares of productive coffee plantations , 11,000 hectares are in Banyuwangi . And with Garuda Indonesia ’ s direct flights to Banyuwangi , and the upcoming Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival happening on November 12 , this just might be the perfect time to explore this city ’ s local arts , culture and flavourful brews .