Is Indonesian Coffee Actually Good?
The flavors weren’t what I expected — but the insight hit deeper than anything on the cupping table.
Hi friends,
I thought bringing coffee from Indonesia would feel like bringing a piece of home.
But what I learned in the process… surprised me.
This is Volume 3 of The Rizki Way. If you’ve read V.01 and V.02, you already know my story — growing up in rural Java, surviving in Bali, and slowly rebuilding my life in Jackson Hole.
This time, I want to take you back to where my journey into hospitality, coffee, and creativity really began — and share some stories (and surprises) from my recent trip home to Bali, Indonesia.
Where It All Started
Back in 2012, I was surrounded by coffee, service, and the creative energy that still hasn’t faded from me.
In fact, it’s grown stronger.
Growing up in Bali, we were heavily influenced by hospitality culture from all over the world — especially Australia, which I personally credit as a major influence on my style, service standards, and even my accent back then (yes, I used to speak English with a thick Aussie tone 😂).
Coffee is a huge part of life where I’m from.
And Indonesia has produced some of the most talented baristas I know.
That’s why I was excited to bring back some coffee from Bali on this last trip — not just to brew it, but to test it under consistent parameters and see how it holds up today.
The Setup
To keep it fair, I used:
• Synesso ES.1 espresso machine
• Mazzer Philos single-dose grinder
• Split-shot technique: 20–22g dose pulled for both espresso + 8oz latte, to taste the complexity with and without milk
• Adjusted only water temperature per roast
The Coffees I Brought (And What They Taught Me)
1. Hungry Bird Coffee Roaster – Canggu
This brand has inspired me since 2013.
A lot of champion baristas started here — and today, they’re still doing it right.
I brewed one of their newer blends: beans from Bali, West Java, and Ethiopia.
Tasting notes: pomelo, strawberry, and early sweetness.
What I loved: The balance. It felt like home. Light to medium body, perfect for an afternoon cup — delicate but bright. Their café is still right off the Canggu shortcut, and it feels like a classic.
2. Tanamera Coffee
Tanamera is one of those “you can’t go wrong” brands.
They focus entirely on Indonesian beans, which I deeply respect. Indonesia isn’t as dominant globally as Brazil or Colombia, but the potential is massive — and Tanamera champions that with pride.
Their cafés are beautiful, consistent, and built for scale.
Every time I sip their espresso, I’m reminded that Indonesian coffee deserves more global attention.
3. Revolver Espresso – Bali
Let me start by saying: their almond milk piccolo is a winner.
They used to make their own almond milk in-house — that was a game-changer for vegans and coffee lovers alike. Sadly, they’ve since moved to commercial almond milk (understandable, for scale), but I still think there’s space to bring that uniqueness back.
This time, I picked up a single origin from Papua New Guinea (not indo but close by) — a rare find in the U.S., and nostalgic for me.
Even though it was a filter roast, I still pulled it as espresso.
Why not? Sometimes breaking the rules is where the magic happens.
4. Blacklist Coffee Roaster
This one was a surprise.
Over the last few years, I noticed their beans showing up in cafés everywhere, so I made it a point to visit their HQ.
And wow — how did I miss this before?
I later learned they’re Australian-owned (of course — not a shock 😅).
I picked a Sumatra lot from producer Rukun Saudara — which means Brotherhood.
The espresso?
Delicious.
Bright floral notes of strawberry, cantaloupe, and honey.
Clean, high-elevation flavor — one of the best Sumatran extractions I’ve had.
My Takeaway
Few of these brands have been around for a decade or more — and it shows.
They’ve stayed consistent, creative, and true to their vision.
That’s my goal too.
As I keep building Catered by Luka and imagining what my own café will become one day, I carry lessons from these places with me. Not just flavor, but feeling.
Not just branding, but soul.
And yes — I have more roasters from Bali I want to feature. But this first batch brought clarity.
So… Should I Serve Indonesian Coffee at My Next Event in Jackson Hole?
I’d love to know what you think.
Which asian brand stood out to you?
Should I bring Indonesian coffee to the next wedding or private event for Catered by Luka?
Let me know in the comments or DM — this is The Rizki Way, and we’re just getting started.