Traditional practices of SASAK coffee preparation in Ampenan, Lombok

Traditional practices of SASAK coffee preparation in Ampenan, Lombok

Today coffee is the most consumed drink in the world. It is estimated that over 400 billion cups of coffee are drunk every year. If you consider that Earth is home of around 7.7 billion people in 2019, you can say with Fug and right that the coffee tree has so far cut out very well in terms of evolutionary dominance.

But how could a fruit -bearing tree be so successful with our evolutionary survival? Coffee shares a similar story with many of our other photosynthetic partners. Our demand for the fruit seduces us to plant and protect your descendants at all costs, often to the detriment of your less happy cousins.

However, this does not answer the question of how coffee has become so powerful. The answer is that it adheres to more than just our short -lived desire for a dark roasted espresso - it has turned into our cultural network.

In the west, our changing coffee culture has produced new -fashioned preparations, which are far from our traditional roots of drinking coffee. While a sugar-free caramel latte macchiato from Starbucks has the most traditionalists flinch, these examples offer a clear insight into the melting pot of western culture.

In order to explore the relationship between coffee and people deeper and try to simplify the relationship between coffee and humans, we have to deal with a place where coffee consumption resembles much more to the old days. One of these places is Lombok. Located on the equatorial archipelago of Indonesia, coffee is much more a traditional element of daily human life.
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Indonesian coffee

currently Indonesia is the fourth largest coffee producer in the world. Maybe you have heard the term "Java" as a pseudonym for coffee blends. This name dates from the Dutch colonial period, when the Dutch East India company planted and exported coffee from Java, today's most populous island.

By delivering the contagious drink to Java, the Dutch started a rousing wave that again made its way through old cultures and customs throughout the archipelago.

Although delayed from a historical point of view, especially in contrast to Africa and the Middle East, coffee in Indonesia is now considered an Indonesian as Nasi Goreng. In Indonesia, however, the coffee has spread deeper again, with different flavors, preparation methods and coffee customs for individual islands and their peoples. Alt = “traditional coffee in Lombok Indonesia”>

The Sasak-Volk from Lombok

The Lombok Sasak is proof of the persistence of the indigenous people. While many indigenous people have experienced segregation in Asia and all over the world, Sasak still represents a strong majority of 85 percent of Lombok.

However, that should not mean that the locals from Lombok have not experienced any historical hardships. The imperial western influence has attracted the burden of several decades of foreign occupation both by the Dutch and later by the Japanese.

Although the story has not played well, the traditional Sasak culture, from lively celebrations to traditional clothing and food, has remained steadfast. Perhaps many locals therefore prefer traditional means of corporate western ideals, even when it comes to something as simple as a cup of coffee.

Such a traditional example is the inspiring story of Mamiq and his son Gunter.
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Traditional Lombok coffee

mamiq, also known as "Henry", tells an inspiring story of local entrepreneurship. Growing up in Ampenan, the old port capital of Lombok, he had to make ends meet at a young age.

Mamiq's father was a tobacco seller who had made a unique spice mix that he sold to local Chinese business people and Dutch soldiers in the lively harbor streets of the then central capital. Ampenan. One day Mamiq decided to test his father's special spice mixture in a cup of local Lombok coffee.

He remembers this first sip as a significant moment in his life. Immediately he was decided to offer his new invention of his family and friends, and after seeing their surprised nodding of the approval, Mamiq's entrepreneurial spark set himself on the mission to spread his creation in the world.

Mamiq took out his handmade wooden stool and his bank and set off the next morning to sell cups of his seasoned coffee. He waited, but the first attempt was unsuccessful. As we know very well in the West, the wall of hesitation, however, requires a small creative marketing thrust on the unknown to fall.

dissatisfied, but unshakable, Mamiq collected a piece of old wood the next morning and scribbled before she set off to try again. "Coffee for free".

It was a hit.

From that day on, Mamiq's "Kopi Rachick" was born. To date, its spicy variant of the traditional Lombok coffee is popular with villagers and politicians.
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The traditional coffee preparation process

The Sasak from Lombok are very proud of its variety, which you unanimously call it "Lombok Kopi". These unique beans are grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Rinjani on Lombok and are called "Robusta", a variety that is particularly resistant to diseases and is known for their high caffeine content.

As the special spice mix of Mamiq has remained unchanged for generations, also the roasting and preparation of the coffee. The importance of tradition and culture in the craft is clear from the start.

From the beginning, the methods of coffee preparation follow the old traditions. Freshly picked from Rinjani, raw beans are mixed with fine sand in a large metal wok that is heated by a wood fire in the village barn. The roaster stirs the beans meticulously and thus ensures a rounded and smoky roasting.

As soon as they steam and shine, the roaster separates the sand from the beans with a large wood sieve. Then the roasted beans are ground into fine powder in a traditional stone mortar with pestle.

Finally, Mamiq adds his secret spices, of which he would never reveal the entire recipe. Although he firmly believes in herbal medicine and traditional healing methods, he points out some spices that are now proven to have a tangible health advantages. He claims that this has always been ancient knowledge far from the findings of modern science. To this day he swears by his coffee that helped him never have to see a western doctor.
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Kopi Rachick is not a global brand or a multi-million dollar company. His success is a more modest performance. Mamiq and his son Gunter share their coffee every day with regular guests and passers -by at their family -run food stall.

People of all breeds, cultures and religions are not attracted to their modest warning because of a quick caffeine dose, but because of a warm welcome and to exchange stories. In Mamiqs WARUNG, the powerful and the poor are equal. Here the police and politicians share the same plastic stools and drink the same glass cups as the villagers.

Culture in the Cup

it means that life begins after coffee. Wall Street professionals, Israeli soldiers, Nordic fishermen, Mexican farmers, extremist jihadists, climate striking and Australian farmers-they all start their day with a cup of coffee. From a macro perspective; If we really zoom in and look at humanity through a global lens, it would be difficult for us to identify a more uniform, centripetal human quality despite the overwhelming individual differences.

Maybe these seemingly new, but deeply rooted folklore and customs that we all experience can be the building blocks to overcome our differences. But maybe we only need a little local spice to close the gap.

Kopi Lombok video

Below is a short video that tells the story of Mamiqs coffee. Today the future of Kopi Rachick remains strong by the next generation; Gunter, who continues to prepare his father's legacy, to prepare great seasoned coffee.

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Are you interested in a trip to Lombok? Don't miss my full list of things you can do in the Lombok leader.

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If you read We Seek Travel regularly, you may have noticed that this article differs significantly in terms of content and writing style.

During travel there are a deep passion and the supportive foundations of this blog, I have long been an admirer of independent journalism and cultural stories. To be honest, unique insights into cultural, historical and earthly stories of people and planets arouse a greater fascination for me as an author and photographer.

In addition, We Seek More will be home to another fascination that I will be with many parts; The striving to overcome physical exams through self -imposed challenges. In order to gain more insight into these unfortunate activities, I hope to dive deeper into the world both through the stories of others and through my own challenges.
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