Falling on the 28th – 30th July 2017, Indonesia-Sarawak Coffee Festival organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia made the headlines in Cityone,Kuching as coffee enthusiast from different regions and countries were all gathered to share their love and passion for coffee.
The festival was held as a mean for Indonesian and Sarawakian coffee entrepreneur to break the market access in the industry to provide the commodity it represents and to also strengthen the diplomatic relationship between the countries.
Coffee brands and companies such as Mami Ayu Black Coffee, Indocafe, Black Bean Coffee, CV Alpha Gemilang, DaVinci, Earthlings Cofee, Maga Coffee, Kopi 21, Kopi Sepok, Sumatera Kopi Luwak, Aeki Medan Sumut, Coffindo and Kopi Aming were all present during the event to show the many different types of coffee that is available in their respective region.
Indonesian Vice Consul-General (Social Affairs and Culture) to Sarawak, Ringgi Perdini said the festival aims to introduce a variety of unique flavours of coffee from various districts of the republic to coffee enthusiasts in Kuching.
“We hope the Indonesian coffee entrepreneurs will be able to market the products of the commodity through the ‘business matching’ event that was held yesterday (Thursday) involving buyers from Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore.”
Starting with a mocktail demonstration on the first day of the festival, an examplary of fine coffee making art as they would say and a cupping session back in Earthlings Workshop HQ.
The event was later on officiated before noon on the second day by the Consul General Republic of Indonesia, Bapak Jahar Gultom with him raising a toast to everyone to share this momentous moment together via coffee cupping.
From Coffee Talks, Lucky Draws, Coffee testing,Coffee Creation Workshop and to Latte Art demonstration. The festival kept the crowd occupied most of the time with the many shades of aspect it provides to it’s attendants.
Another highlight of the festival was the traditional dance troupes from Sanggau District who premiered their blend of exotic Melayu & Dayak dance. Not to forget special appearance from Indonesia’s Famous kroncong singer, Hetty Koes Endang who performed her famous duet hit “Damai Tapi Gersang” (Peaceful Yet Avid) aside from two other songs with the Consul General.
The main contender of the event would be the availability and coffee tasting of the world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak.
What makes the coffee is so different than it’s “cousins” is that Kopi Luwak is richly flavoured, more fragrant, less acidic, with a remarkably smoother texture than traditional coffees.
Its superb quality leads to high demand and low supply and thus makes it the rarest and most expensive coffee in the world with a rich and strong aroma and a hint of chocolate flavour.
Its uniqueness lies in its unusual production process with every step performed meticulously in order to ensure better quality and cleanliness before roasting.
An explanation of the health benefits of Kopi Luwak as explained by one of the coffee experts in festival and thoroughly proven in research by researchers from all over the world (e.g Researchers in Osaka University):
1) It protects teeth through its anti-bacterial properties.
2) It reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
3) It reduces the risk of Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases, gallstone disease, heart disease, diabetes, skin cancer and breast cancer, and it relieves from
4) It has anti-cancer compounds.
5) It is a powerful analgesic drug and thus helps relieve from all sorts of pains and aches.
For every coffee enthusiast out there, it is a must to give a taste and try the delicious gourmet coffee, obtained from animal droppings.
It is a novelty item and the world’s most highly coveted gourmet coffee. As many would say, once is enough.
It is hoped that perhaps one day, the Coffee festival might integrate into a much more bigger networking and showcases coffee’s from all over the world.
