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Bali — Bagus Sekali

This coffee is carefully and ‘specially’ produced by our two favourite Subak Abians, Kerta Waringin and Uliani Murni, whose families are based in and around the Kintamani region in Bali. The scenery there is spectacular, with mountainous terrain and stunning views of the active volcano Gunung Batur. The vista from the volcanic, crater-like calderas which were formed over 20,000 years ago, down to the lake, Danau Batur, is truly magnificent. Danau Batur is the largest lake in Bali.

The special co-operatives of farmers in Bali are referred to as the Subak Abian and, as a group, they follow the Hindu philosophy of ‘Tri Hita Karana’ with its three causes of happiness — good relations with God, other people and the environment. In true Balinese style, they work together beautifully in order to maximise their potential and ensure that their community has the strength to grow and prosper both spiritually and financially.

Each farmer group has a central processing station where cherries are pulped, washed, fermented and then dried on raised beds. In a country that has not yet made a name for itself in the speciality coffee world, the group’s members all know and understand the ‘special’ coffee processing requirements for beans that are destined to become ‘Bagus Sekali’ coffee. They are simple but important things like picking only ripe cherries, same day washing and pulping, fermenting in clean tanks — not bags — and, finally, drying on raised beds to achieve the correct moisture content. We’ve spent the last four years working very closely with our Balinese friends and have equipped them with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to roast, cup and assess their own coffee in the spirit of constant improvement.

We’ve also been privileged to develop lasting relationships, great partnerships and, most importantly, a coffee that we can all be incredibly proud of.