Barista Exchange
Alun Evans
Male
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Profile Information:
- What is your position in the coffee industry?
- coffee shop owner, coffee roaster, coffee grower, home barista, industry professional, service tech/repair, supplier
- Where are you located? ( City and Country )
- With the new year upon us, its time to announce a few changes! I am splitting myself into 3 and will be spending not too much time in Indonesia in 2009 as we have 2 off-shore projects that I will be looking after pretty much full time. So... depending on the IP address I am either in Singapore, New Zealand or relaxing somewhat in Indonesia!!
- How many years have you been in the industry?
- 15+
- If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
- yes
- Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
- A coffee roaster (with 11 cafes+3 roasteries) located in a pioneering region of the specialty coffee world- and one located so close to so many unique and famous origins. Experience with a huge number of Indonesian origins- travelled all over North and West Sumatra, Java, Bali (tough that one!), Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, East and West Timor, Papua, Sulawesi and Kalimantan (Borneo). Working with direct, sustainable trade with small holders all over Indonesia. A number of challenges that mean you will never have a dull day, hour, minute...or even second!!
These days our cafe and roasting businesses are spread between Jakarta, Indonesia; Hong Kong, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
- Europe (any), USA (lived in Colorado for a while back in 89/90 love going back), Africa- especially South Africa,Botswana (thanks Alexander Mcall Smith!) Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Yemen. Always enjoy trips back to New Zealand: especially to home town Wellington. Always enjoy my trips to Italy- want to work on my Italian and also Spanish for some future plans ;p
- About Me:
- Fulfilling a lifelong, caffeine fuelled passion; I have been working full-time with Indonesian Coffee since 2004. With my wife Arlini, Merdeka Coffee is determined to develop and showcase Indonesian Arabica coffees here and overseas. Merdeka Coffee conducts frequent tours around coffee growing areas, as well as running various education programs. From late 2008 my focus is actually on project work outside Indonesia- the company is being run by a team of well trained local management.
The company works with a number of small-hold growers around Indonesia. I drink 15 espresso shots a day and can be contacted day or night! (explains why I am on soooo much at such odd hours!) - About My Company:
- Merdeka Coffee (or "Freedom Coffee" in Indonesian) is a boutique coffee company dedicated to the sourcing, selection and roasting of the best Indonesian coffees. "Kemerdekaan atau mati..."Freedom or Die" was the battle call of the Soekarno led independence movement in the 1940s. Our clients are individuals, institutions and wholesalers who share our vision for exceptional coffee obtained through fair & equitable local trade relationships.
At Merdeka Coffee we believe in developing partnerships with small hold growers and farmers, both at plantation and village level. This is why we use "merdeka"...freedom for the farmers we work with. A percentage of our profits are shared with our Indonesian partners in order for them to develop their communities, their coffee expertise and to assist them promote environmental conservation.
Our retail arm is "Antipodean Coffee" with outlets in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. We have plans for openings in Penang, Bangalore and hopefully Abu Dhabi over the next 18 months. We retail in Sydney through Merdeka Coffee in the CBD - What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
- Dynamic change, working with a huge range of talented, interesting and knowlegeable people. The spontaneous nature of the business.
- Website:
- http://www.antipodeancoffee.com
Matt Milletto
Jun 6, 2008
Matt Milletto
Jun 6, 2008
Anj Ferreria
Jun 6, 2008
Julianne Eisen
Jun 10, 2008
Julianne Eisen
Jun 11, 2008
Teddie!
Jul 9, 2008
adit
Especially from an expert like you
I work in Sodexo,a food management services co
Have a good day
Jul 13, 2008
Emily Kryska
Jul 15, 2008
Greener Groundz
Jul 15, 2008
Nick
have a nice day~
Jul 16, 2008
Alun Evans
Jul 16, 2008
Greener Groundz
Jul 16, 2008
YUDHI REFLIS
Jul 20, 2008
Vanessa Edwards
Much luv
Vanessa Edwards
Jul 23, 2008
liz
Jul 24, 2008
liz
Thanks!
Jul 24, 2008
Chris K
Welcome the 'Olde Worlde' of levers.
Good choice and let me know when its arrived.
l
Are you ever on that "other place?"
Check in there....
As for Starbucks.. it was never going to work in Australia.
Jul 29, 2008
ColinO
It sounds like you might have the best job that I have ever heard of! I would love to talk more about Indonesian growers. Coffee has got to be the best industry to work in. I will just tell you real quick about what I am trying to do. I am currently trying to set up a business building coffee roasters (I have a degree in engineering), but I am totally fascinated by the direct trade agreements so I want to make it easier for roasters to get to source to make that happen. I feel like if I can offer that service along with the roasters it would be good education for new roasters as well as established roasters, or just individuals who are interested to learn where their food comes from. I am currently trying to get a trip set up in Tanzania, I am starting there because my sister and brother-in-law live there and my brother-in-law sets up adventure travel expeditions for a living. But I would love to talk to someone about other locations because I want to be able to send people to every major coffee growing region in the next five years. Have a good one.
Colin
Jul 30, 2008