1 week in Jakarta, Part II - Kopi Luwak

There are many loves in life, and for many coffee is one of them. Unfortunately I can't attest to this. For me, coffee has always been saved for the nights coming up to an exam or deadline. Keeping my caffeine tolerance low means that when I need coffee, I'd be able to maximise its caffeine effects (or on the occassions I give in, to spend the night tossing and turning in bed!).

The beans making Kopi Luwak come from the digestive tract of this cute little animal...a literal take on one's wastes are another's treasures!
Now Jakarta does not have a strong cafe culture per se. But upon hearing about 'Kopi Luwak' - the "most expensive coffee in the world"..."from the butt of a weasel-like animal" I knew I couldn't fly back to Sydney without trying a cuppa. (Disclaimer: I am not usually this enthusiastic about trying foods coming from the other end of the digestive tract!). It is because the Luwak ((the less scientific name given to the cute furry animal above; scientific name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) can't digest these coffee beans that the enzymatic actions of its stomach acids give the beans both a unique fermentation process and taste.

With a horrendously busy schedule, my hopes dimmed down as the days flew by and my day of departure arrived. Luckily, on this very last day, I came across the 'Kopi Luwak' cafe whilst rushing to have a last meet-up with my cousin.

"A pound of Kopi Luwak will run you about $300 or about $50 a cup..." - Oprah Winfrey

And since the Luwak is a local of the Indonesian islands Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi, a cup will set you back AUD10 (and not the US50 it will cost you in other parts of the world)...all the more reason to give this coffee a go.

My much anticipated 100% cup of Kopi Luwak!

So the verdict?

A really rich, bitter tasting coffee with depth of body and an earthy feel to it. (Ok so definitely not a coffee connoisseur but thats the best description I can come up with ;) )

Would I drink it again? Probably not. (But now I can tick that off my things-to-do-before-i-die list...not that I had it on the first place but now I can add it and cross it off!).

The last and final part will actually be on the reason I was in Jakarta in the first place (just to show that it wasn't all about the food!). But for now, I must stock up on my coffee beans, sit tight and stay awake to study study study for my exams. See you all on the other side :)

Wagga's nerdiest cubicle?

Top of my Want list at the moment...tragic that my DIY skills leave a lot to be desired for.

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http://www.kopiluwak.org/new/coffee-shop.htm
Grand Indonesia Mall
Jakarta

1 week in Jakarta, Part I - Brunch @ Hotel Mulia

Thats it, I confess I am a repeat offender. My crime? Blog update tardiness.

To be honest, I have never been known as being the late one to events. This I know is hard to believe knowing that I have Indonesian heritage and one thing Indonesians are known for is "jem karet" (lit = rubber time) i.e. tardiness. Anyway, I will endeavour to bring you up to date with what has been happening to me over the past 6 months. (What other perfect way to procrastinate - my barrier exams for my 5th year medical exams are coming up around the corner *yikes!*)

Figuring that I would spend the year holed up in Wagga, it wasn't hard to persuade myself to apply to be part of a delegation of 20 medical students from around Australia to spend a week somewhere in Asia. This year chances had it that the conference would be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Now, the only reasons one ought to go to Jakarta is 1) if you have family or 2) for business purposes. Lucky for me, this trip fits into both categories.

Fast forward half a year later, 1 overweight bag (yes this was pre-departure! and yes it included a 5kg box of cherries and 3kg of honey for relatives some of whom I wasn't sure how I was related to...) and I arrive in hot, humid, bustling Jakarta. I come in at perfect time for it's my dearest cousin's birthday! And to celebrate she has booked Sunday Brunch at Hotel Mulia...

The glorious entry into the restaurant

The beautiful interior, decked out in colonial French style

Unfortunately it clashed with my conference registration and day 1 plans, but in life family does come first...and in retrospect I would have killed myself had I known what I would miss out on - unlimited appetizers, a 4 main dish per person meal and unlimited desserts (high tea quality!).

Yes, and all that for the Australian equivalent of a standard high tea (~AUD40).

Some of the appetisers to choose from...

...and yet more appetisers!

And after stuffing yourself with so many appetisers, don't forget to leave some space for the mains!

It is never polite to turn down desserts...1 of the 3 dessert plates I brought back to indulge in ;) (no judging please!)

Overall, the unlimited appetisers and desserts were pretty much a dream-come-true (did I forget to mention that there was a tower of PANNACOTTA?!?! or the unlimited stash of smoked salmon for you smoked salmon lovers out there). The mains were quite a let-down though, the originality, taste and execution were actually below average. Not that I'm complaining - I'd just be happy stuffing my tummy silly with the delicious appetisers and desserts :)

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http://www.theorient8.com/
+62 21 5753278
Hotel Mulia
Jl Asia Afrika Senayan
Jakarta 10270
Indonesia