Best Javanese Non-alcoholic Beverage Types
Thick and rich kopi tubruk is the most popular coffee in Indonesia, especially in Java. It involves simple preparation in which boiling or hot water is combined with fine or medium ground coffee. The combination is mixed until it is well incorporated, and it is then left to sit for a couple of minutes until the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.
Although sugar is optional, most people choose to sweeten the coffee by mixing sugar with coffee grounds, before the water is added. This method of preparation is believed to have been introduced by the traders from the Middle East since both the method and the coffee are quite similar to Turkish (Greek) coffee.
Wedang jahe is a refreshing Indonesian beverage believed to have soothing and calming properties. The drink is a simple combination of crushed or diced ginger, palm sugar, and water. The ingredients are slowly simmered until the sugar melts, and the water is thoroughly infused.
Optionally palm sugar can be replaced with cane sugar or honey, and the drink can be flavored with pandan leaves or spices. Wedang jahe is usually associated with Java, and it can be enjoyed as a warm or chilled drink.
Bajigur is a hot drink, native to the Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia. Full of sweet and spicy flavors of ginger, aren sugar, and coconut milk, this beverage is most commonly paired with traditional snacks such as steamed bananas, boiled peanuts or boiled sweet potato.
Bajigur is sold through mobile vendor carts equipped with stoves that keep the drink hot and is considered best suited for drinking during cold nights, rainy days or when spending time in cool highlands.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bandrek is a traditional Indonesian spiced drink from West Java, particularly popular among the Sundanese people, known for its warming, soothing qualities and bold, aromatic flavor. It is typically consumed during the rainy season or in cold weather, especially in highland areas, to warm the body and boost circulation.
The drink is made from a base of palm sugar and fresh ginger, giving it a rich, sweet-spicy taste. Other ingredients often include cinnamon, cloves, lemongrass, pandan leaves, and black pepper, with some regional versions adding coconut milk for a creamy texture or young coconut flesh for extra richness.
Native to Central Java, sekoteng is a ginger-based hot drink made with simple ginger syrup and condensed milk. It is topped with sagoo pearls, palm fruit, coconut, diced bread, and peanuts. The drink is sweet in flavor with different textures created by the various toppings.
Sekoteng is most commonly sold in the evening by cart vendors; it is said that drinking it in the evening will keep the body warm and help with sleep.
Kopi joss is a specialty coffee that originated in Yogyakarta. What makes this coffee unique is the addition of burning charcoal that is added directly in a cup of brewed coffee. The addition of charcoal is believed to have health benefits, and many also find that burning charcoal neutralizes acidity and provides a subtle caramel flavor to the brew.
The drink allegedly first appeared in the 1960s as an invention of a local street vendor. Nowadays, several coffee vendors, located mostly in tourist areas of Yogyakarta, prepare and sell this specialty. Interestingly, the name joss is believed to stem from the onomatopoeic sound that occurs when the burning charcoal is dropped in the glass.
Best Javanese Non-alcoholic Beverage Producers
Kopi Luwak is a renowned Indonesian coffee company specializing in the production of premium civet coffee, commonly known as Kopi Luwak. Established in 1969, the company has dedicated decades to perfecting the art of coffee cultivation and processing.
Their signature product is derived from coffee cherries consumed and naturally fermented by wild civets, resulting in beans that are meticulously collected, cleaned, roasted, and ground to produce a rich, full-bodied coffee with unique flavor notes of caramel and chocolate.
BEST Kopi Luwak Coffee Coffees
Puntang Coffee is a specialized coffee producer from Indonesia that focuses on high-quality Arabica varieties grown exclusively on Mount Gunung Puntang. Their philosophy is encapsulated in the slogan “Pantang Pulang Tanpa Kopi Puntang”, which translates to “Don’t go home without Puntang Coffee”.
They guarantee origin authenticity - all of their coffees come from the Gunung Puntang region, known for its rich volcanic soil and ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Their production includes various processing methods, such as washed, natural, and wine processing, which enhance the flavor complexity.
BEST Puntang Coffee Coffee Beans
Best Javanese Non-alcoholic Beverages
Kopi Luwak Authentic Arabica coffee comes from the renowned Arabica beans, carefully processed through a unique and natural method. Harvested from beans that have been consumed and then excreted by civet cats, this coffee is prized for its smooth, rich flavor and exceptional aroma.
Known for its complex flavors with earthy undertones, it's a rare and luxurious coffee experience, ideal for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Sourced from the beautiful coffee regions of Indonesia, this coffee offers a premium taste that has made Kopi Luwak a sought-after specialty worldwide.
Arabica Wine is a premium specialty coffee originating from the fertile slopes of Mount Puntang in West Java, Indonesia. Grown at an altitude between 1,300 and 1,500 meters, the coffee benefits from volcanic soil and a cool climate, which create ideal conditions for developing rich and complex flavors.
This coffee undergoes a special "wine" fermentation process, where ripe coffee cherries are left to ferment within their pulp before drying. This method results in pronounced fruity notes, characteristic fermented aromas, and a layered acidity, delivering a unique and unforgettable taste.
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