Coffee is Not Yet Become a Lifestyle for Balinese

Coffee has become a habit for the Balinese people for generations. But coffee has not become a lifestyle among the people of Bali. Among the Balinese coffee is still a complement.

"When we conducted trials with the people of Bali who is also producer of coffee, maybe some says coffee is bitter at all, all coffee will be the same taste," said Manager of PT. Bahana Genta Viktory Branch Bali, Pramudya Bevan.

According Pramudya, generally Balinese appreciation to the way of enjoying coffee is still low. Balinese custom proof that brewing coffee with very hot water so that the coffee taste is lost.

"This practice is not only in Bali but Java as well. Our way to taste the best coffee is brewing with enough temperature or attempted by way of espresso. There, we can see the original flavor of the coffee itself," said Bevan Pramudya.

Pramudya suggested at least brewing coffee by using hot water with temperature under 90 degrees Celsius. Communities can try to distinguish the taste of coffee that is brewed with temperatures above and below 90 degrees Celsius to distinguish flavors.

"So it does not mean that we drink coffee every day we practically know about the coffee, because the frequency we burn them with hot water, since we only need caffeine and a sense of bitterness," he said.

He said the habit of making coffee with water at high temperature occurs in almost all coffee producing countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Indonesia.

Producing countries have a tendency to not know how to process before becoming a beverage. While the developed countries know how to extract the better. He added that other errors in the Balinese coffee is too much sugar because they like sweet. Though the addition of sugar will only kill the taste of coffee.

From Candidasa to Tenganan: Cultural Exploration

Have you been visited Candidasa and Tenganan? The Island of the Gods is such an endless wonder that besides the sunny Kuta and Sanur and the cosmopolitan Seminyak, one can still turn one’s look to the eastern part of the island and finds scores of attractive sea attractions. One of them is Candidasa. Candidasa is a coastal town in East Bali region. As it is only 40 minutes away from Amed, Candidasa is often combined with the latter as tourist destinations. Candidasa is also a good stop for people going to Lombok as Padang Bai, the port connecting Bali and Lombok, is located 13 km to the west.

Actually, Candidasa which is known by many tourists is a long region running from Manggis through the town itself and continued to east until reaching Bugbug. As a laid back region, it offers tropical tranquility which is completed with several accommodation facilities. The general atmosphere of the place is relaxation with narrow, black sand beaches often disappearing during the high tide provides a unique view. A tourist information office is also provided, making tourism in the area ready to bloom. It is also conveniently accessible from Sanur, where a drive of 60 to 70 minutes will end the journey at Candidasa.

Travelers with direct trip from the international airport need 90 minutes to reach Candidasa. The area can also be reached from Ubud. The access to the other, more popular destinations in the island makes the town a worthy alternative. Besides the sea that can only be reached through a few minutes journey, the main attraction of the area is of course its cultural richness. Candidasa is the place where you start the journey to the ancient village of Tenganan. The inhabitants of this village are Bali Aga people, a class of Balinese who is considered much older than the current dominant Balinese.

Tenganan is the same Bali Aga people community like Trunyan in Lake Batur shore. However, due to the geographical characteristics, Tenganan is easier to reach. The inhabitants believe that their ancestors have inhabited the island prior to Majapahit Balinese people. This is obvious in the ancestors worship, cosmology, and strict social organization. After dark, nobody from outside world is allowed to enter the village. In addition, a Bali Aga person married another member of the community. Their language even cannot be apprehended by common Balinese, even by the Bali Aga people of Trunyan.

The cultural curiosities in the village are centered on a 700 foot long Bali Agung pavilion. This is where the elders meet and discuss matters related to their community. The building is very old although no one can determine how old it is. The sacred Pura Puseh, or the temple of the origin, is located outside the compound a little to the north. The craft works of the village is distinctive, including the famed Geringsing, an ikat fabric with double weaving, which is complex and has been valued very high in international market. A ritual combat where blood is sacrificed using thorny pandanus is also worth to see.