Edu is talking about coffee

While enjoying a glass of coffee in the afternoon, or what we usually call in Indonesia by the term : “ngopi”, i will discuss some unique facts, and a little about the history and culture of coffee in Indonesia.

The Netherlands was the first to bring in Arabica-type coffee from Malabar-India to Indonesia in 1696, it was the Mayor of Amsterdam, Nicholas Witsen, who ordered the commander of the Dutch forces in Malabar India named Adrian Van Ommen to bring Arabica coffee seeds on the island of Java. Then the Dutch cultivated the coffee plant in Kedawung, a plantation located near Batavia, now in the East Jakarta area, precisely in the “Pondok Kopi” area.

According to William H. Ukers, in his book that I have read: All About Coffee (1922), the word “coffee” began to enter European languages ​​around the 1600’s. The word is adapted from the Arabic “qahwa”, maybe not directly from the Arabic term, but through the Turkish term, “kahveh”.

But specifically for Indonesia, most likely the word “coffee” was adapted from the Arabic term but through the Dutch language, “koffie”, in my opinion this is quite logical because the Dutch were the first to open coffee plantations in Indonesia. But it does not rule out the word being adapted directly from Arabic or Turkish. Considering that many parties in Indonesia had relations with the Arabs before Europeans came to Indonesia.

History of Coffee in Java

In addition, the land of Java and Indonesia is blessed with soil fertility which causes abundant yields of land, Indonesia is not only a country that stores diverse ethnic, language and culture. But Indonesia has a culture and tradition handed down from generation to generation.

When entering the 17th century the Europeans began to develop their own coffee plantations, first they develop it in Europe, but the climate in Europe is not suitable for growing coffee then Europeans try to cultivate these coffee plants in their colonies which are spread all over the world, and finally his efforts succeeded, the Europeans were able to shift the dominance of the Arabs in producing coffee.

One of the centers of world coffee production at that time was in Java, but it was developed by the Dutch. The great thing is, coffee from Java once dominated the world coffee market!. At that time a cup of coffee was very popular as “Cup of Java”, or in Indonesian it is called “Secangkir Jawa”, and in Dutch it is called “kopje java”.

The culture of drinking coffee in Indonesia

As the development of the times, the need for coffee continues to increase, traditional coffee is replaced by sachet coffee, the coffee shop now has a new name, which is “cafe”, in fact, now looking for coffee no longer needs to stop by a coffee shop, you can order it online, but in my opinion personally, the aesthetics of coffee are located at the moment of meeting and friendship, Indonesian people call it “silahturahmi”.

From a cup of coffee we can get acquainted with other people, regardless of age, you and I can exchange ideas, then from a cup of coffee will arise clarity of mind, and creative and unique ideas will emerge.

You want to know what I think?, i think about the philosophy of a coffee in life, an Indonesian tradition that is really based on “Pancasila”, the 3rd precept (sila ke-3), “Unity of Indonesia”, coffee unites, and doesn’t look at where you come from, as long as we can enjoy coffee together, we are countrymen!.

Indonesian coffee as a Local wisdom And culture

At present coffee cannot be separated from Indonesian society, and furthermore, coffee by those who are creative can be processed in such an interesting, and useful way to be unique. Call it in various regions are always routinely held coffee festivals.

Like in Banyuwangi, East Java, then there is the Ten Ewu Coffee Festival, in Lampung, and there is the Lampung Coffee Festival (Lacofest), and the International Banda Aceh Coffee Festival. The festivals are held for a variety of purposes, ranging from strengthening ties between communities, and raising awareness of the importance of coffee, and a place for coffee connoisseurs and lovers to meet. Coffee festivals always run lively, both large and small scale, so that it becomes a regional tourist attraction in Indonesia.

Coffee is included in the lifestyle section of urban communities, which always offers enjoyment, and also a source of inspiration. Coffee is no longer a drink for old age groups, but a drink for all ages.

Written by : Edu – The Founder Of Java Private Tour

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Author : Java Private Tour

The founder of Java Private Tour, an adventurer, lover of nature, culture, art, culinary hunters, I am too in love with Indonesia! For those of you who have stories about Java, let's share the story with me by contacting me via email: info@javaprivatetour.com

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