Hello, everyone!
How's it going?
I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.
By the way, I have a question for you. Do you enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee as much as I do?
Here's my coffee story today. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I'd love to hear about your favorite kind of coffee in the comments!
One of my simple daily pleasures is enjoying a cup of coffee, although I don't drink it every day. Like many people, I have my own preferences when it comes to coffee.
I'm not a fan of kopi tubruk, the traditional Indonesian style of coffee in which the grounds are left to settle at the bottom of the glass. While many people love its bold and authentic taste, it has never really suited my palate. Instead, I prefer coffee that is blended with other ingredients such as milk or creamer, giving it a smoother, creamier, and milder flavor.
I'm not a fan of kopi tubruk, the traditional Indonesian style of coffee in which the grounds are left to settle at the bottom of the glass. While many people love its bold and authentic taste, it has never really suited my palate. Instead, I prefer coffee that is blended with other ingredients such as milk or creamer, giving it a smoother, creamier, and milder flavor.
The coffee I'm referring to in this article is not pure black coffee made solely from roasted coffee beans. Rather, it is a blended coffee beverage a combination of coffee with milk, creamer, sugar, or other ingredients. This distinction is important because the experience of drinking specialty black coffee is quite different from enjoying a convenient instant coffee drink.
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| COFFEE: Whether you prefer black coffee, a creamy latte, or a simple instant coffee, every cup has its own story. Whatever your preference, may your coffee bring you a moment of happiness. Photo by Asep Haryono. |
The photograph above was taken during the second week of June 2026 at D'Grill Cafe and Resto on Jalan Pak Kasih in Pontianak, directly opposite Graha Korpri. For readers who may not be familiar with the city, Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia
INSTANT COFFEE: I took this photo myself yesterday. It shows one of the many instant coffee products readily available in almost every corner of Indonesia. There are countless instant coffee brands on the market, and Good Day Cappuccino is one of the most popular. It's affordable, too a single sachet costs less than US$0.50. So, if you're in the mood for a cup of coffee today, why not give it a try?
Photo by Asep Haryono.
There is a wide variety of coffee available on the Indonesian market, offering something for almost everyone. For people like me, who cannot always afford premium coffee made from carefully selected whole beans, instant coffee is an excellent alternative. I once treated myself to a cup of specialty coffee while transiting at Juanda Airport in Surabaya. A single cup cost around 70,000 rupiah approximately US$4. While I don't regret the experience, it reminded me that premium coffee is a luxury I enjoy only occasionallyy
Indonesia is a great place for people who enjoy instant coffee. There are many popular brands to choose from, such as Good Day, Kapal Api, Torabika, Nescafé, Luwak White Koffie, Indocafé, Kopi ABC, and TOP Coffee. Each brand has its own taste and different coffee products, from strong black coffee to sweet and creamy cappuccino.
You can find these instant coffees almost everywhere, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and small local shops. They are easy to make, affordable, and enjoyed by millions of people every day.
So, if you are visiting Indonesia and want to grab a quick cup of coffee, you will have plenty of good choices. One sachet of instant coffee in Indonesia usually costs between Rp2,500 and Rp4,000 (about US$0.15–0.25). A box with five sachets generally costs around Rp13,000 to Rp20,000 (about US$0.75–1.25). This affordable price makes instant coffee a popular choice for millions of Indonesians every day..
If you are visiting Indonesia, take a few minutes to stop by a convenience store or a small neighborhood shop. You will find shelves filled with instant coffee in many different flavors and brands. They are affordable, easy to prepare, and offer a taste of everyday life in Indonesia. You might even want to take a few sachets home as a simple and unique souvenir for your family or friends.
Pontianak itself is often regarded as a paradise for coffee lovers. The city is home to countless coffee shops, cafés, and enthusiastic coffee communities. Whether you prefer traditional coffee, espresso-based drinks, or modern café beverages, you'll find plenty of places to enjoy a good cup of coffee while socializing with friends.
As for me, I still prefer instant coffee. It is commonly sold in small sachets that are inexpensive, practical, and easy to carry wherever I go. Whether I'm traveling by plane, taking a road trip, or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home, a few sachets easily fit into my bag. In Indonesia, one sachet usually costs around 4,000 rupiah less than a half of a 1 US . Most instant coffee products are blended beverages containing coffee, sugar, creamer, and flavorings, producing the sweet and creamy taste that I enjoy.
My appreciation for coffee grew even more when I had the opportunity to attend a coffee processing workshop in Pontianak. During the event, I learned about the craft of coffee preparation from Hidenori Izaki, the 2014 World Barista Champion from Japan, during one of his visits to the city.
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Me and Hidenori Izaki during his coffee presentation held in Botany caffee in Pontianak, Indonesia last April 2017.
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The workshop opened my eyes to the fascinating world of specialty coffee. I discovered that authentic coffee can naturally have a noticeable acidity, depending on the variety of beans, the roasting process, and the brewing method. This was quite different from the sweet and creamy instant coffee that I usually drink. Although I respect the craftsmanship behind specialty coffee, I realized that my own taste still leans toward the familiar comfort of instant coffee.
Some people believe that only freshly ground coffee made from premium beans is "real" coffee. I see it differently. Every person has different tastes, preferences, and budgets. Whether your favorite coffee comes from carefully roasted beans prepared by an experienced barista or from a simple sachet mixed with hot water, what matters most is that you enjoy it.
Coffee is more than just a beverage. It accompanies conversations with friends, quiet moments of reflection, long journeys, and busy mornings. Sometimes it helps us stay awake; other times it simply gives us an excuse to slow down and appreciate the moment.
I won't dive into the technical aspects of coffee brewing because, in the end, coffee is deeply personal. Every cup tells a story of memories, places, friendships, and experiences.
This is the story behind my cup of coffee.
What about yours?
A Message From Asep Haryono
"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well. Please leave any comment down below. Let me hear from you. Greetings from Indonesia"
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