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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

Comment Wall:

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Stephen Schulman

Thank you

Oct 14, 2008
Al Sterling

Alun, regarding the parents of my son in law, I keep asking them for the name of the city in which they now live, and then I promptly forget. It is on the North shores of the South Island. I think it starts with "I".....? Must be age. My area of interest is business management, and more specifically, customer service and marketing/sales. When I travel to another state, or out of the country, and I have an opportunity to visit specialty coffee retailers or any entity within the industry, I do focus on the business as much as the coffee. What little I know of Indonesia through my friend gave a the impression that there was a very distinct seperation or class seperation; both based on income level as well as religion. I do know that Harry's family and his wife's family, both professionals, suffered from the anti-Chinese culture of the country. One of Harry's in-laws is a principal of an international teak furniture company. Without nameing them, I do know that one of their clients here in the US was COSTCO. Is the coffee industry well integrated and inclusive of all cultures in Indonesia, or is there a distinct stratification or identifiable demographic?

Oct 14, 2008
Al Sterling

Alun...had I not gone into business, I always think that social-anthropology would have been one of my areas. Incredible how the homo sapien disperses seed all other this globe. It's about 930p here, and I'm going to shut down soon. I was loading a couple more songs onto my playlist. I'm still getting a kick out of this site. I may be "over doing it" just a bit, but I've got a huge collection of Brasilian Bossa Nova and Samba. Every trip South I buy Music DVD's or CD's I can't get up here. Oddly, I have more Brasilian music than any of our Brasilian family or friends. My background interest has always been percussion, and I get a huge kick out of anything that has a great bass line beat. Music is one language that is truly universal, and sharing music has been one great joy. Anyway, maybe we can hook up over MSN, SKYPE or the phone sometime. Chatting with you, now I feel this urge to call Harry and see what he's up to. He and Inga usually travel back to Jakarta regularly. As for Margaret's family in Wellington, I'll get a maiden name for you. Later.............

Oct 14, 2008
Addie Rovers

Hi Alun, where precisely are you going? Just the Netherlands or more countries? In my neigbourhood (Breda, The Netherlands) You just have to visit my store of course ;-) I have a great Papua New Guinea. If you are also going to Belgium You should also visit a store called CaffeNation in Antwerp (just 45 minutes from Breda). I'll think about more great coffee places for you to visit and let you know. If you're interested in other types of sites I can also give you some suggestions. Have a great trip!

Oct 15, 2008
heminui

Hi,
I'm from Wanganui mostly, spent a few years in Wellington before i headed off.
Trieste? no, I'm not going anywhere for a while- starting an espresso bar here in London shortly, that's taking all my time and money.

Do you grow coffee there in Indonesia?

Oct 15, 2008
Addie Rovers

Hi Alun,

You're more than welcome to try my coffees whe you're in the neighbourhood. To get a good feeling about caffenation (antwerp) you could follow his blog www.caffenation.blogspot.com (or google Antwerp Barista)

Oct 16, 2008
heminui

hopefully mid December with launch in January

Oct 17, 2008
heminui

Will do. I have a friend in NYC that designs outstanding websites doing it for free. I just need something interesting to put there. Perhaps a neat little flash cartoon and a blog detailing the process to doors opening. Then I'll have a blog style site showcasing the different coffees I'll be using.

Oct 17, 2008
heminui

I should be at full force by then!

Oct 17, 2008
Jeremy Clouser

Thanks Alun, for your comments. I feel the same and we've had to move a bit more slowly on our plans. The US dollar has surged recently against the Mexican Peso which has basically increased the cost of purchasing various equipment by up to 20% in some cases. Most distributors of equipment in Mexico ask for you to pay in dollars, so this has put a bit of a speed bump in our plans. But at this point, we're moving forward!

My grandmother spent some time in Sulawesi, Indonesia (part of the Dutch teaching contingent). Is there much coffee grown in Sulawesi?

Oct 22, 2008
Al Sterling

Alun...got the Skype info. I just set up Skype and MSN again on my corp. laptop, but have been business traveling and just got home last night. Trying to get re-organized, again!, and will try out my Logitech camera/mic soon. Best for now. BTW, saw a comment on the US dollar v Peso. Same thing in Brasil right now. Exchange rate is going back in favor of the dollar......which is ironic, as our economy is in the "Bermuda (?) Triangle" at the moment.

Oct 24, 2008
Joel F. Eugenio

good day mr alun! tnx for adding me in your friends list... you had the very interesting profile and it seems i will learn a lot from you... tnx!

Oct 26, 2008
Matt Milletto

Hello Alun,

I will be in Hong Kong for CoffeeFest as well. Look forward to meeting you there!

- Matt

Oct 27, 2008
Joel F. Eugenio

wow sounds really nice to meet you in there, please inform me in advance the exact date, i will tell you my location... many thanks!

Oct 27, 2008
Al Sterling

Alun...got back from Sacramento and around Lake Tahoe area and Reno. Had a chance to again be dissappointed by terrible espresso prepared by someone who, again, thought they knew so much more about something they knew so little. But made it home for my Malabar Gold cappuccinos! This is my reward for putting up with incompetence! Geeze I have to get my sales model into retail soon......or at least before a piano falls out of a second story window and squashes me flat! Our species really needs to kick up the average age by another 20-30%. I'm probably leaving for Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle, not necessarily in that order, soon. If I decide to take my company van, I will buy an exterior bike rack and take the TREK Hybred. I need the excercise. Don't think my wife will join me this trip. Really enjoyed your photos. I presume they're of Indonesia? I'll have to look again for the title lines. Anyway, while setting up the MSN and Skype, dear friends in Sao Paulo caught me working and chatted, and our neice in the interior of Brasil, Goiania, sent recent family photos. "Talk is cheap"...about 3cents per minute on those calling cards, so we do call back to Brasil often. I'm ending the year well, but will have to kick butt next year. Plus, everyone is "afraid" of Obama.....at least those that have something left to loose! We certainly need someone than Bush to present our case to the world, but I'd feel safer with someone "in between" the current candidates. Seems like we end up electing "extremists" most of the time. Still hoping for a great president before our generation passes on.

Oct 29, 2008
heminui

Right now I'd prefer the corruption of Indonesia to the painfully slow and pedantic bureaucracy of getting a lease in england! It's moving, like you're sure that Tuatara you've been staring at for hours actually did just take a breath and move a little bit.

Still looking at December for a soft opening then have a proper launch in January

Never actually made coffee in Welly, just drank loads of it. I learnt the biz in Sydney, where I lived for 6 years. I had an epiphany after being fired from an office job and bluffed my way into a job as a barista (or rather, I blew my massive severance cheque and woke up a month later with a job in a cafe). I got a little training from Paul Bassett and one or two others active on the competition circuit and it just went from there.

Oct 30, 2008
Eddie

HI Alun;

My company is actually situated on the Eastern hills towards Wainuioru/Stronvar; I sell beans and espresso at the (almost 2 years old) Wairarapa Farmers' Market on Saturdays, and am on the Management Team for that group. My dad was born and raised in Bandung, so I have an emotional tie, but have not (yet!) been there. Are you familiar with the region, and its coffees? Would love to discuss more with you offline. Eddie

Oct 30, 2008
Cynthia Lopreto

Thanks!

Oct 31, 2008
Jen

hey alun, all's well here in Ireland cant complain! If i ever get to indonesia, I'll be looking you guys up, would love to visit coffee plantations all over the world, pity about my barista wage haha it means I have to save forever!!

Oct 31, 2008
Jen

definitely have loads in common! ye are far better at rugby though in fairness !:) have a girl from christchurch working with us at the moment actually, she's as obsessed with coffee as I am. Are you guys ever looking for people to come over and work for a summer?

Nov 1, 2008
KF Chan

Hi Alun,
Everybody seems to be having an Obama's Fever. A friend just brought me an Obama Blend from Australia by Campos. Very decent taste too.

Nov 6, 2008
KF Chan

Dear Alun,

Fruity and Funky sounds like my prefered type of blend. Do you guys ship small amount over to Malaysia, like 500g?

Nov 6, 2008
Mavin

hi Alun,
how r u?
nice to have u in our Malaysian Baristas group.

Nov 8, 2008
Wendy De Jong

Hello Alun,
I just returned from visiting Sumatra and Sulawesi with the newly formed Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia. Are you a member? There is some discussion about holding a barista competition in the spring. Have you heard about this?
On a side note- it was very interesting being in North Sumatra during the election, we were warmly congratulated by many on the Obama win!
very best,
wendy

Nov 19, 2008
Matt Milletto

Alun, didn't get to meet you in Hong Kong, but hopefully sometime soon.

Nov 20, 2008
bintang

thx sir.... wish that u can teach me more about san marino it's been a year

Nov 24, 2008
Alvaro Sanchez

Hello Alun,
I just got an email from one of my old students, he's Malaysian, setting up a roastery in Penang and is having some trouble finding green beans. You sell green beans so maybe I can put you two in touch. his email is cc_leong1628@yahoo.com
and this is his website http://www.lighthouse-coffee.com.my/home.html maybe you guys can work something out.
I will post some pics soon,

Cheers

Nov 29, 2008
Kane Blaber

Hi Alun.
Sadly no, i havent as of yet made my way up to you guys, I have been one of the those crazy aussies that has spent too much time, and money travelling australia that i havent left the shores...... yet.
I just read your blog on the coffee culture of Australia versus indonesia. i have had firends come back telling me stories of how the coffee is served there, and I have always wanted to see it for myself. I love PNG beans and Sumatra beans but i havent tried too much else from indonesia I did however try Bali God Mountain through campos (the brisbane campos roastery supplies the cafe i work at with beans) and i fell in love with it. A very interesting bean from the grind to the pour. I read your blog on the Sydney Coffee culture and i have to say the Brisbane scene is as in depth these days, you still see a few people carrying starbucks cups and gloria jeans cups, but ask them what is in the cup and most of the time its their chocolate based drinks. all the coffee drinkers have found their own lil cafes to drink form, and its awesome to see. If you ever head back to Australia may i suggest heading to Alice Springs. Two men have single handedly created a small, but strong little coffee culture in this little town. One being a coffee rep who has moved to Adelaide- Bill, the other is a local roaster of green beans by the name of Dalton. His company is Duyu coffee, worth checking out. It was so uexpected out there for the demographics of the town , but refreshing all the same. Well i have babbled long enough, chat soon
:-D
Kane

Nov 30, 2008
insanemily

hello from alaska! i noticed you had listings of different coffee shops in australia and i'm working towards living and working there in the near future. i was curious if you had any opinions on dane's coffee institute in sydney, which is where i wanted to start my training experiences. any information would be much appreciated! thank you!

Dec 1, 2008
Zan

it 's not good time for Thailand . Because we has many problem from politics.
As you told me you got snow in Venice !!! It's sound good. May you have a good time and try to using Plus 4 You ( that you will love it ) . I need to asking about the Lever machine ( Rapello ) How about it ? Please tell me for the result of espresso from that machine.

Dec 1, 2008
Steve MacDowall

Thanks for your note: I love the morning, so quite and I can get so much done. How did the first Starbucks opening go? - Steve

Dec 3, 2008
shei

My pleasure!I'd like to visit Indonesia someday,is it a safe place to visit?

Dec 3, 2008
Sheri Merdes

Living in your stretch of the world and the adventures it looks like you have, you'd fit right in up here! It's a once in a lifetime experience, for others like me it becomes a lifetime. Alaska is a magical place, as long as you're willing to look for it.

Dec 5, 2008
Sheri Merdes

I moved from Boulder CO to Fairbanks in 1971 - they are both spectacular places to live. The beauty here is so raw and unexpected - it's stunning.

Dec 5, 2008
yoram

hi alun
how r u
i so jealous at u that u been in Italy:) , which city did u been?
i need to ask u question pls where i can find the best steaming pitcher for latte art ...u know the professional one ?
so tell mehow is the the coffee there where u live...?

Dec 5, 2008
heminui

Almost there- hoping to sign the lease next week. If we hit no major obstacles, should be open early January. fingers crossed!

Dec 5, 2008
Steve MacDowall

we just missed each other - have a great weekend.

Dec 5, 2008
heminui

yeah, the good places aren't many, but it's a visibly growing niche, I'm hearing of a few new places I need to check-out. flat white are indeed on top, and the epitome of how the antipodean formula works here- excellent espresso, training, technology, individuality and cool music. Amazing coffee and consistent- so long as the proprietor, Cam is there, it can be as low as 8/10 when he's not! They just switched to Square Mile (James Hoffmann and Anette Moldvaer) coffee and the difference is noticeable. It's becoming well known that kiwis and aussies are a sure bet for a good coffee and I'm hoping that that gives me a boost...

Dec 5, 2008
yoram

Hi Alun
I thought u will say the north part of Italy becouse i agree with u this is defently the richest and the best place to seek for culture of cooffee and i'm reminding u i never been there yet but i saw programes about it..!so tell me there is something new there in the world of the coffee..? so u benig a roaster i should learn something from u this is the thing that i dont know too much about un the world of coffee.tha anyway for the steaming picthers i keep on trying to find what i want..so tell me pls do u have plans soon to come to NYC ? i will be happy to meet u and to share stuff with u and also my ideas ..!

Dec 5, 2008
Selina

Bali would be totally amazing. And i love the thought of getting some experience working somewhere else, as well! will drop you a line the next time i pay a visit to the motherland (the philippines :p), it would be easier and a bit cheaper to travel from there (since im already "in the vicinity") then to plan a trip from here!

Dec 7, 2008
J.P. Oughtred

cool pics! I'm a big all blacks fan hopefully they will sort their lives out in 2010 and do something on the world stage. I will be in Ethiopia in 2010 to buy coffee so not sure if if I will be able to make it there. Would love to but work is very busy for me these days. Hope all is well.

Dec 8, 2008
Alan Wright

Alun
Hi Yes Trained at CMA early this year it is BRILLIANT ! SUPERB ! numero uno
Alan

Dec 9, 2008
Amy Julian

Thanks, I have been working with Claire a little bit this year so thought I'd join in. I see you're over for Christmas?

Dec 11, 2008
Sean Grant

Hey Alun how's things my friend. This year has really been quite screwy. I did not get to do some of the things I wanted to do. The only good thing was my trip to India earlier this year. Visit my website and you can see the 4 or 5 part series (story) I did on my trip there. Well I'm heading home now long day of roasting and I'm beat.

Talk to you soon my friend. Take care!

Dec 11, 2008
Dustin Butler

Hi Alun! Glad you like the civet pics on my page. Thats crazy that you saw Steve-O getting mauled by one! hahaha. If any of your buddies or customers ever want some civet coffee, you know where to find me bro. Take care

Dec 14, 2008
Danny

Hi Alun,

thanks for the coffee...sorry I was not around as I had a couple of italian delegates to take care of. I will be in my cafe today (Tue) in the afternoon perhaps. And then I am off to HK from Wed onwards.

Glad you like the La Pavoni..I will get back to you on the Kopi Luwak...thank you for the very warm hearted gift...

In case I don't see you, I wish you and your family a very blessed and merry Christmas and New Year!

Dec 15, 2008
Lee

Hi Alun,

Thanks a lot for sharing this website with me. Looks like there are really a lot of coffee pple here. Will be learning hard to make great coffee! All the best in your endeavours too!

Dec 16, 2008
Dustin Butler

Hi Alun,

Yeah, I go to the Philippines about twice a year. I used to live there when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. I'd love to see Indonesia sometime, I've heard its beautiful. I've been to Malaysia but I didnt get a chance to see Indonesia. When I get a chance to go out there I'll make sure to swing by your shop and try some of your coffee. You should also definitely swing out to the Phils, well worth the short trip. Take care my friend.

Dec 16, 2008
Greener Groundz

Hey Alun! No, that would be Bowling Green, OH, home of Bowling Green State University. We are in Bowling Green, KY, home of Western Kentucky University.

Dec 17, 2008
Matt Milletto

Alun, you back from Italy? Can't wait to see some pics! When u coming to Portland?

Dec 19, 2008