Bali, revered for its splendid landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also home to rich coffee roots that are centuries old. Bali’s coffee culture is a rich standard woven in history, innovation, and also cultural mix reflecting the strong connection of the land to these amazing brown beans. From the humble beginnings of coffee from the Dutch in Bali, tasting it must surely be added to the wishlist in any of your tour packages Bali.
Yet, what embraced Bali’s coffee tradition to such prominence remains a compelling question. The answer lies in its climate, volcanic soil, brewing techniques, and also the selection of beans. So let’s explore all the insights into Bali’s coffee culture, brewing techniques, and the best places to surf in Bali for the finest coffee.
History Of Bali’s Coffee Culture
Bali’s coffee culture has its cultural roots resting way back centuries. This tradition has deeply intertwined links with the periodic cultural evolution and the introduction to the Coffee to Bali is the credit given to the Dutch colonial period in the early 17th century. During this time cultivation was completely under the hands of the Dutch primarily aiming for profits by meeting the demand of the European nations.
However, this trend also spread prominence in this Island nation and turned to be one of the most consumed beverages in no time in Balinese society. In the beginning days, Coffee was cultivated in the volcanic fertile lands of Bali and later spread to the local fields tending to establishments of the traditional coffee houses named ‘Warungs’. These are social hubs where all the people meet and greet together by having a sip of coffee.
Variety Of Beans In Bali’s Coffee Culture
Bali’s diversified climate and the fertile volcanic lands create ideal conditions to grow varieties of coffee beans, here are the top 3 most selling beans after cultivation:
1. Arabica
These brands are famous worldwide especially grown in the regions of Kintamani and Bedugul. Balinese Arabica beads are specialized for their smooth texture, nuanced flavors, and also for their fruity and floral notes.
2. Robusta
Bali Robusta beans are grown in the lower altitudes and are known for their robust flavor with high caffeine content in them compared to Arabica. These beans have earthly notes mainly designed to create proper versatility in espresso-based beverages.
3. Kopi Luwak Coffee Beans
Kopi Luwak coffee in Bali is one of the most opted coffee bean varieties. These beans are extracted in a unique process where the digestion material of coffee cherries of civet cats is used to prepare them. The beans are then collected from the animal feces, cleaned, and brewed further for the essential taste. Though it seems unusual to most people, Kopi Luwak has prominence all over the world making them the most expensive coffee beans.
Special Brewing Techniques of Bali’s Coffee Culture
Here are a few special brewing techniques of Bali’s coffee culture:
1. Manual Pour-Over
This method is popularized in local coffee shops, where elements like Chemex or V60 are used to control the brewing parameters. Here hot water is gently poured on the bed of coffee grounds to make baristas extract with the nuaned flavors.
2. Traditional Balinese Brewing
Balinese brewing involves the usage of steeping coffee ground beans mixed with hot water while using a filter cloth named ‘KOPI TUBRUK’. This process yields a strong, robust coffee with a thick texture of bold flavor.
3. Balinese Spiced Coffee
This traditional coffee has roots of rich cultural heritage and it incorporates aromatic species such as cardamom, cloves, and also cinnamon. They are directly added to the brewing machine to get the proper blend of unique flavors making it the most exotic variety loved worldwide.
8 Best Coffee Types In Bali’s Coffee Culture
Here are 8 best coffee types in Bali’s coffee culture to try:
1. Kopi Tubruk (Local Warungs)
This variety has a very strong and bold flavor often renowned to be the most opted coffee of the Bali tradition. Kopi Tubruk can be easily found in the local warungs at a very affordable price.
2. Espresso(Cafes)
This is the most commonly found coffee type all across the world. In Bali, this Espresso a special notes punched with intense flavor with velvety texture making it a most opted choice in the coffee varieties.
3. Kopi Susu(Local Cafes and Warungs)
Kopi Susu delivers a thick creamy tone with the proper balance of the sweet and bold coffee flavor. It can push your caffeine level high to keep you energetic throughout the day, best to serve in the morning to afternoon.
4. Cappuccino
This can easily be found in Bali’s local cafes and coffee shops. This flavor has a thick velvety texture with rich espresso and the milk froth. If you are someone who loves the harmony of the creaminess and the bold coffee styling this is one of the must-try things in Bali.
5. Affogato
This is available across the dessert shops and cafes in Bali. Affagoto variety deals with the scoop of ice cream drenched in the hot espresso with vanilla essence. This blend of ice cream sweetness with the strong notes of coffee will make the savor more indulgent.
6. Tumeric Latte
This variety embraces the local Balinese cultural heritage. Especially known for the aromatic and anti-biotic properties of turmeric that are added to creamy milk and espresso. Turmeric Latte creates a sense of taste with a vibrant styling of special coffee.
7. Iced Kopi Susu
Kopi Susu is found all across the local warungs and cafes with the rich combination of condensed milk and strong coffee notes. Later this beverage is added with ice making it a more relaxing beverage experience in the humid climate of Bali.
8. Kopi Luwak
This has a special preparation technique by preparing beans out of the waste of civet cats after chewing coffee cherries. The most expensive yet more effective coffee taste to be added to the best things to do In Bali. The genuine variety can only be found in specialized cafes and authorized coffee plantations.
