The Indonesian Express
After 9 years since its first store opened in the Cipete area of South Jakarta on June 1, 2015, Toko Kopi Tuku has made its mark on the international stage. Not only showcasing the charm of Indonesian coffee but also popularizing palm sugar, a natural sweetener that has won the hearts and taste buds of coffee lovers worldwide. With the aim of strengthening the foundation for international expansion into the European market by importing quality coffee from Indonesia, TUKU collaborated with Roemah Indonesia BV to participate in the 2024 Amsterdam Coffee Festival, marking the second time since 2023. Despite the challenges faced by the Indonesian coffee industry in terms of supply volume consistency at a macro level, TUKU took the initiative to work with the government and key players in the industry to improve the standards and output of Indonesian coffee production, in line with the increasing global market demand. The excellent quality that is characteristic of Indonesian coffee, which commands a premium price in the international market, has not deterred TUKU. "The feedback we received in Amsterdam has proven that our Tetangga Blend and palm sugar have a special place for international coffee consumers," said AndanuPrasetyo, CEO & Founder of Toko Kopi Tuku. Moving on to Busan, South Korea, where a similar response from participants at the recent World of Coffee Busan showed the same enthusiasm for palm sugar with its unique taste and aroma. Undoubtedly, this innovative TUKU product, which captured hearts in Amsterdam, once again garnered attention in Busan, reaffirming palm sugar's position as a promising natural sweetener from Indonesia on the international stage. In collaboration with Kornerd Coffee, TUKU's pop-up store in Seoul has also successfully brought the flavors of the archipelago to coffee enthusiasts in Korea since its opening on March 25 until May 10, 2024. Iced coffee milk with arenga sugar, or 'es kopi susu tetangga', has been a favorite since day one, enriching the composition with aren sugar as a symbol of Indonesian culture and uniqueness. With pride, TUKU is committed to introducing aren sugar not only as an alternative sweetener but also as an ambassador spreading the taste and culture of Indonesia. Nur Jamila, Director of PT BeranganRagam Rasa (BERAGAM), which is TUKU's business unit for B2B coffee beans and aren sugar solutions, added, "We are building the sweet potential of agroforestry farming through aren sugar. More than just a coffee flavor enhancer, aren sugar is an expression of Indonesian culinary identity that we are proud of. It is this uniqueness that we bring to the world stage as an authentic creation of Nusantara culture rich in tradition." "The international euphoria surrounding aren sugar, which is the core of our innovative drink, gives us great honor and motivation. We believe that this confirms that our contribution goes beyond just the pleasure of taste, revealing the unique elements of Indonesia's heritage to coffee lovers worldwide," added Andanu. TUKU's journey, starting from the Cipete area in South Jakarta and venturing into renowned coffee festivals, confirms that the taste of Indonesian coffee and aren sugar can synergize with international palates. Through dedication and continuous efforts, TUKU is excited to continue exploring new markets and introducing Indonesia not only through coffee but also through a flavor story built on tradition and innovation.