Indonesian Coffee Guide | From Kopi Tubruk to Kopi Luwak

Indonesia is one of the world's largest coffee producers. Learn about the unique coffee culture, from traditional kopi tubruk to controversial kopi luwak.

Indonesia is the fourth-largest coffee producer in the world, and coffee culture here is deeply rooted in daily life. From the simple kopi tubruk served at every warung to the famous (and controversial) kopi luwak, Indonesian coffee is a world unto itself.

Kopi tubruk is the traditional Indonesian way of brewing coffee: fine-ground coffee is placed in a cup, hot water is poured over it, and you wait for the grounds to settle. No filter, no machine. The result is a strong, full-bodied cup with grounds at the bottom. Sugar is traditionally added, milk rarely.

Bali produces excellent Arabica coffee, primarily from the Kintamani highlands in the north of the island. Kintamani coffee has a distinctive citrusy flavor profile with medium body, quite different from Sumatran or Javanese coffees.

Many cooking classes in Bali include a coffee or tea component - either drinking traditional kopi tubruk during the class or visiting a coffee plantation as part of a day trip. Our classes always include drinks, and we serve freshly brewed Balinese coffee.

If you visit a coffee plantation, look for one that allows you to see the roasting process and taste different varieties. The best plantations are in the Kintamani area north of Ubud, easily combined with a morning cooking class in Ubud.