Best Indonesian Non-alcoholic Beverage Types
Jamu is a traditional herbal medicine from Indonesia, made from natural ingredients, including roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves, and fruits.
These ingredients are used to create various types of herbal drinks that are believed to have healing properties and are used to treat a wide range of ailments, as well as to maintain good health and well-being. The practice of making and consuming jamu dates back hundreds of years and is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, particularly in Java.
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.
Indonesian kopi luwak is often cited as the most expensive coffee in the world. It is made from coffee beans that are digested and excreted by the civet (luwak)—a catlike mammal that is native to Southeast Asia—before they are washed, ground, and roasted.
It is believed that when the coffee beans pass through the animal’s digestive tract, they lose their astringency, which makes the coffee softer, smoother, and less bitter. The coffee was allegedly discovered in the 19th century during the Dutch colonial rule when the local farmers were forbidden to harvest coffee for their personal use.
THE BEST Kopi luwak Coffees
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bajigur is a traditional Indonesian beverage hailing from the Sundanese culture of West Java, celebrated for its comforting warmth and rich, sweet flavor, typically enjoyed during the rainy season or cooler evenings.
At its heart, Bajigur is a mixture of coconut milk and palm sugar (gula aren), which combine to form a creamy, caramel-toned base. What sets it apart is the addition of aromatic spices such as ginger and a subtle hint of pandan leaf, infusing the drink with a gentle spiciness and a fragrant, almost vanilla-like depth.
Some variations also include a pinch of salt or coffee for added complexity.
Soda gembira is a traditional non-alcoholic beverage that is especially popular with children of all ages. It is made with a combination of three ingredients – coco pandan syrup, condensed milk, and carbonated water. The proportions of ingredients may vary, but soda gembira typically has a bright pink color after all ingredients have been combined.
This sweet and creamy drink is most often consumed on hot summer days.
Ginseng coffee is a beverage that combines coffee with ginseng, a root that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
The origin of it is elusive, but the first commercially viable blend was produced and marketed in 1994 in Indonesia by the Citra Nusa Insan Cemerlang company. This combination has become popular in various parts of the world, particularly in Italy, where it is served in most cafés.
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 Indonesian Non-alcoholic Beverage Producers
Akasa Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery and brand from Kintamani, a mountainous region in Bali, Indonesia, renowned for its high-quality Arabica beans. Their philosophy, “From Farm to Cup” reflects a deep commitment to every step of the coffee production process – from seed selection, planting, fermentation, drying, roasting, to serving.
The goal is to deliver the authentic taste of Kintamani coffee in every cup. Akasa Coffee focuses on preserving quality and flavor consistency by paying close attention to every detail of production. Their coffee is processed according to international standards, making them a recognized brand both locally and internationally.
BEST Akasa Coffee Coffees
Gayo Kopi is a distinguished Indonesian company specializing in the production and export of premium Wild Kopi Luwak coffee. Their beans are sourced from the Gayo Highlands in Northern Sumatra, where wild civets naturally select and consume the finest coffee cherries.
This natural process imparts unique flavor profiles to the beans, resulting in a rich and indulgent coffee experience. Gayo Kopi is committed to ethical sourcing, ensuring that all their Kopi Luwak is collected from wild, uncaged civets, thereby supporting both environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
BEST Gayo Kopi Coffees
Toarco Toraja is a premier producer of high-quality Arabica coffee from the Toraja Highlands in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Toarco Toraja stands out as one of the few producers in Indonesia that maintains complete control over the entire coffee production process.
From seedling selection and sustainable cultivation to hand-picking, meticulous sorting, and state-of-the-art "Full Wash" processing, every step is carefully managed to ensure absolute consistency and excellence. The washed processing method enhances the clarity, balance, and refined acidity of the beans, resulting in a clean and vibrant cup profile.
BEST Toarco Toraja Coffee Beans
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
El's Coffee is a renowned Indonesian brand specializing in the production and serving of high-quality coffee, headquartered in Bandar Lampung, in the province of Lampung. Founded in 2012 by Elkane Arlen Riswan, the brand grew out of a family tradition of coffee cultivation and has become one of the most recognized coffee shop chains in the region.
El's Coffee offers a wide range of coffees sourced from various regions of Indonesia, including Lampung Robusta - known for its full body and rich flavor. The brand prides itself on using only 100% locally grown Indonesian coffee, carefully roasted to preserve its authenticity.
BEST El's Coffee Coffee Beans
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
Mandailing Estate Coffee from Indonesia embodies everything coffee lovers seek when craving authenticity, depth, and a truly distinctive flavor profile. Grown in the Mandailing region in the north of Sumatra, this coffee thrives in rich volcanic soil and a tropical climate - conditions that create an ideal environment for cultivating high-quality Arabica beans with a complex character.
From the very first aroma, one can sense the luxurious notes of dark chocolate, ripe plums, and dried figs, intertwined with subtle earthy and spicy undertones that are emblematic of Sumatran coffees. In the cup, Mandailing Estate Coffee reveals a full body and silky texture, delivering an experience marked by depth and flavor complexity.
BEST Mandailing Estate Coffee Coffees
Best Indonesian Non-alcoholic Beverages
Gayo Kopi's Arabica Luwak Coffee is a premium offering sourced from 100% wild civets in the Gayo Highlands of Sumatra. This ethically produced coffee boasts a rich aroma with hints of chocolate and an exquisite caramel finish, delivering a luxurious and complex flavor profile.
The beans are freshly roasted and packaged in a gold foil pouch with a degassing valve to ensure optimal freshness. Each pouch is encased in a keepsake luxury tin with double lids, presented in an elegant display box. Please note, this product is currently out of stock.
Akasa Coffee – Honey is a specialty Arabica coffee originating from the highlands of Kintamani in Bali, Indonesia. It is processed using the traditional "honey" fermentation method, where the outer skin of the coffee cherry is removed, but some of the mucilage is left on the beans during drying.
This method enhances the coffee’s natural sweetness, flavor complexity, and fuller body. This coffee is perfect for those who enjoy a complex yet gentle flavor profile and want to experience the authenticity of Balinese Arabica with a unique twist provided by the traditional processing method.
Sulawesi Toarco Jaya Peaberry Washed is a premium coffee originating from the Toraja region of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Cultivated at high altitudes by the indigenous Toraja people, this coffee is meticulously processed by PT Toarco Jaya, a collaboration between Indonesian and Japanese partners dedicated to ensuring exceptional quality. The unique peaberry beans, which occur naturally in about 5-10% of coffee cherries, are renowned for their distinctive round shape and are often associated with a more concentrated flavor profile.
These beans are fully washed, a processing method that enhances their clean and bright characteristics. When light roasted, this coffee exhibits a full-bodied profile with sweet, nutty flavors, offering a smooth and mellow drinking experience. The combination of meticulous cultivation practices, unique bean characteristics, and careful processing results in a coffee that is both distinctive and refined, making Sulawesi Toarco Jaya Peaberry Washed a prized choice among coffee enthusiasts.
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.
El's Coffee Kopi Lampung is a 100% robusta coffee sourced from the Lampung province in Indonesia, known for its full body, low acidity, and earthy, tobacco-like notes. This coffee is medium roasted, which enhances its rich and balanced flavor profile.
The beans are carefully selected and processed to preserve the authenticity and distinctive character of Lampung's robusta. It is available in various grind options – from whole beans to coarsely ground for French press and cold brew, to finely ground for espresso and Turkish coffee, making it suitable for different brewing methods.
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.
Pure Wild Kopi Luwak from Mandailing Estate Coffee is one of the most exciting and rarest coffees in the world. This exceptional brew comes from the Mandailing region in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, and is known for its unique production process and rich flavor.
The coffee is produced through a natural process known as the "Aged Monsoon Process." Wild civets (known locally as "luwak") in the wild choose the ripest and sweetest coffee cherries. After consuming them, the beans undergo natural fermentation in their digestive system, which reduces the inherent bitterness and creates a distinctive flavor.
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