The Indonesian embassy in Qatar held a coffee cupping event on June 30 in Doha, showcasing the richness and the variety of coffee produced and exported by the Southeast Asian nation.
Indonesian baristas showcase their talent at the event. Supplied pictures
Only very little of the coffee imported by Qatar comes from Indonesia, ambassador Ridwan Hassan said in his speech. “Hence, there is still so much room for opportunities in Qatar for Indonesian coffee, particularly for specialty arabica coffee.”
The envoy said the embassy hopes to see more Indonesian coffee in the country, citing the increasing number of coffee shops and roasteries, as well as the growing appreciation and love for coffee, across Qatar.
Based on the data from the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, he noted that Indonesia exported coffee with a value of $842.5mn around the world, mainly to the US and Europe, citing 2021 data.
Representatives from Indonesia’s coffee industry and entrepreneurs in Qatar, including guests, participate in the coffee tasting.
According to Hassan, Indonesia now ranks as the fourth largest coffee-producing country in the world, following Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam, and the coffee being traded is usually a combination of roasted beans and green beans, both for arabica and robusta variants.
He said Indonesia’s coffee plantation began in the 1690s during the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) period and became one of the top Dutch commodities. Most of the cultivated coffee is robusta, and only a quarter is Arabica.
The envoy added that VOC exported the first batch of Indonesia’s coffee in 1711, which grew to 60 tonnes annually within 10 years.
Indonesia to offer plenty of coffee types globally, especially those termed specialty coffee, he said. “The specialty varieties include those cultivated in various places in Indonesia, such as Gayo, Flores, Sidikalang, Toraja and of course Java. Each of the specialties has its own distinguished aroma and taste.
Ambassador Ridwan Hassan was joined by baristas, entrepreneurs, and community members at the coffee tasting event.
“Over the years, the number of exported specialty coffee from Indonesia keeps growing. Indonesia’s specialty arabica coffee also has gained worldwide acknowledgment with nearly 100 genetic varieties of arabica coffee available,” Hassan said.
He added that coffee grows well in Indonesia given its climate and mountainous areas, providing “the experience of taste but also cultural identity”.
“Hopefully by today’s event, Indonesian coffee is not only better known in Qatar but also becoming more available and reach more people and more lives, the lives of the farmers and the heart of the coffee lovers,” the envoy said.
