Kota Kinabalu: A variety of coffees will take centre stage at the 8th Sabah International Coffee Festival from September 26–28 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Indonesia, the world’s fourth largest coffee producer, is among this year’s highlights, showcasing its culture, traditions and flavours.
In 2024, Indonesia harvested 775,735 metric tonnes of coffee, ranking behind Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia in global production.
Of its 1.26 million hectares, 933,000 produce Robusta beans, while Arabica and Liberica varieties share the remaining land.
Sixty per cent of beans are exported to the United States, Malaysia, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The rest is consumed locally, with cafés and households across the archipelago sustaining a vibrant domestic coffee culture.
“Coffee is a bridge that brings people together. Conversations, friendships and business often begin over coffee,” said Indonesian Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu Consul for Economy, Yogo Pamungkas.
Visitors to the festival will experience this heritage at the booth of the Indonesian Consulate General, where culture, history and flavours connect.
The showcase includes Kailash Agro, known for its dedication to delivering exceptional coffee from farm to cup.
Coffee was introduced by Dutch traders 350 years ago, with Java beans becoming internationally famous in the 17th century.
Cultivation later spread to Sumatra, Bali, Sulawesi, Flores and Timor. After independence, estates were broken up and land redistributed.
Today, smallholders produce more than 95 per cent of Indonesia’s coffee, reflecting tradition, family pride and resilience.
Many farmers still grow coffee organically, using inherited methods, despite lower yields compared with competitors using chemicals.
In Aceh, Gayo beans are prized for light acidity, caramel tones and chocolate notes, making them highly sought after.
Lampung and South Sumatra produce earthy-flavoured Robusta beans, processed using the traditional “giling basah” wet-hulling method.
West Java retains its prestige. Malabar beans, shipped to Europe in the 18th century, still carry the “Java” legacy.
Nearby, Gunung Puntang beans won global recognition in 2016, boosting Indonesia’s standing in specialty coffee markets.
In Sulawesi, Toraja beans balance sweetness, spice and fruit, while Central Sulawesi produces Toratima, beans collected from wild animals.
Bali’s Kintamani highlands grow citrus-scented Arabica under Subak Abian, a traditional system blending culture, economy and ecology.
Flores’ Bajawa coffee, grown between volcanoes, is distinctive with floral fragrance, bittersweet chocolate flavour and a nutty finish.
