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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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Mr. Astoria

hi alun
thanks 4 the comment...
i got this machine from an restaurant...i like it very much!
u sell macchinas for gastronomy?
i´m very curious on the lever machines pictured on your page!
what group you mean exactly?
i´m new here, but i like it very much!!
greetings

Feb 20, 2009
Eddie

That's a great idea Alun, but as my Dad died in 1989 he's not around to compare, but I have a cousin (his niece) who is still very much so in Auckland, who should remember. When do you plan to be down here exactly?

Feb 22, 2009
Wayne Ringate Jr.

I am currently in Minneapolis, but frequently go to Chicago, where we have another office.

Feb 24, 2009
Nat Paolone

Hey Allun how are ya? I noticed you know a good friend of mine, Alvaro Sanchez. We both worked together at Tobys Estate in Sydney a few years back. Alvaro is an awesome barista.

Mar 3, 2009
Moto-Espresso Coffee Carts

Alun,

Glad you like the Cafe Bajaj even though they are a zillion strong in much of the world. In my world they are a total anomaly and nobody has ever seen one, much less knows what it's origins are. (Italy, India, Indonesia, etc.) In fact that is what markets my coffee..the uniqueness of the cart. People will buy just to inspect it! best wishes in Java-Jakarta.

Mar 3, 2009
Alistair Ramsay

Hi Alun. Thanks for registering on Beanhunter! Let me know if I can sign you up as a Beanhunter Spotter so you can write some editor reviews on your favourite places to drink coffee! If so you will get some extra questions to answer in your profile page so that other users know more about you & your coffee exprience. Hope you are well. Al

Mar 5, 2009
Alistair Ramsay

Hi Alun, you're all signed up as one of our first spotters! Let me know if you got the confirmation email. Been having some automated email delivery problems. Look forward to seeing your favourite cafes! Al

Mar 6, 2009
Larry Prochazka

Hello Alun! Wished I had known about you prior to my trip to Yogyakarta and Bali. Found some very good coffee's there, perhaps you saw the photo's. I'll be back to Bali. Was blessed meeting local healers and feel renewed after seeing them. Of course, contact me if you come back to Colorado as I'm a short drive from Boulder. Good luck with the new projects! Cheers...Larry

Mar 13, 2009
Larry Prochazka

I enjoyed Yogya and would have enjoyed it more had I not jumped into jet-lag travel mode. Stayed at Hotel Indonesia and was the only non-Indonesian there. Very cool experience. They took me under their wing with suggestions on how to avoid being taken advantage of, etc. Was awed by Borobudur and had to see it after visiting Angkor Wat in prior years. Take care Alun! Larry

Mar 13, 2009
Travis Smith

Alun, i have a fairly set schedule, i don't think we will be leaving the area too much. I am thinking of taking a couple months off next fall though and traveling around the area, so if that happens, i will see where in the world you are at the time. Best of luck with your ventures!

Mar 17, 2009
Pangi

Hey Alun, how was the trip back home? Interested to hear more about it. Love your photos of Indo.

Mar 21, 2009
Pedal Press

Alun,

I appreciated your write up of the lever machine. I'm trying to figure one out myself. Any chance you'd be open to answering a few questions?

My shots seems to be low volume all the time, under 20ml each, instead of 30 (two singles @ 30 for 60 total is the goal, right?)

I grind similar to pump machine, and tamp the same too. (30 lbs. -ish). Pull the lever, hold for 5-8 secs., slowly release, shot ends at 25 or so, always short.

Any advice?

Mar 23, 2009
Jim

Hey thanks for the comment on the Colombia Pics. I have been looking at your photos of Indo. cool place, we get some of our green coffees from a mill in Sumatra. Great coffees from Indo.

Mar 31, 2009
Nat Paolone

HI Alun how are ya? I just got back from a barista training at a 5-star resort in Laos opening soon, Luan Prabang. Very nice town. I tried some local coffee but as we know there are too many variables to correctly judge. Came across one cafe called Saffron. Good Nuova Simonelli machine but the shots were 5 seconds. Too bad cause the coffee tasted "ok" for a 5-second extraction. It reminds me once again that the most important variable is the barista if one wants to market their coffee. The owner is an American who started a coffee plantation there a few years back, he was not there though, I just read it on a card at the shop. How is business with you?

Nat

Apr 26, 2009
heminui

Hey Alun,
A customer of mine is heading to Sumatra for a bit of a holiday shortly. He's pretty ken on a plantation visit- I mentioned you then realised, wrong island, duh. Do you know of any coffee plantations in Sumatra that would be good for a visit/stay? He's heading to the Medan area.
cheers

May 2, 2009
hery

Mr.Alun ajarin hery pengetahuan coffee?

May 4, 2009
heminui

Hey- good tip Alun. He is headed to Berastagi anyways. Thanks

May 5, 2009
Matt Milletto

Hey Alun. Yes, we spent about 3 months in the S. Pacific, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, etc. I made it as far as Fiji, but not to New Zealand. I hear it is beautiful and hope to make it someday. There is a chance I will be in Beijing, and maybe the Philippines later this year.

May 31, 2009
Emma Jean McDougall

Hi Alun, thanks for your lovely welcome! I'm currently working for Planet Espresso at Auckland City Hospital. You'll have to pop in and try our unique blend. Have an amazing holiday.
Cheers
Emma

Jun 8, 2009
Jim

Hey Alun,
I work for Bill McAlpin of La Minita, We have a joint venture in Sutmatra. I know of Forest Trade, have yet to talk with them. We just have our office on Vermont we have a total of 3 people working there. I do most of the green coffee preships and arrival QC, as well as sales of our green coffee. I would love to make it over to Sumatra, Maybe next year in March.
Take care

Jun 8, 2009
Emma Jean McDougall

Hey Alun, would be great to organise a gathering or "smackdown" in Auckland! I see you have set up a new roastery in Parnell, will it be a cafe as well? I'm dying to try some good coffee in that neck of the woods!

Jun 9, 2009
Thomas Ervin-Ward

Hey Alun, Melbourne town is cold and rainy today. Not Auckland temps, but still bloody cold. Dissuading all my customers. But the ones that do venture out come and sit for two or three coffees at once -- so it may balance out.

I see you are starting up a roastry! Great! We hope to head across to NZ sometime next year. You have a name sorted?

Jun 9, 2009
Thomas Ervin-Ward

Hey Alun,
Heads up, just checked http://www.merdekacoffee.com/ and the Safari web browser notified me that it has been flagged by Google as containing malware. You may want to get your web guys to look into this. But the site looks awesome!

Jun 10, 2009
Luis d. Alfaro

Photography has been my passion all my life, now along with coffee, I have lots of photos on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lalfaro/
Thanks
Luis

Jun 11, 2009
Marina

:-) My favorite coffee is Java Katakan pure 100% washed robusta by Blaser cafe

Jun 12, 2009
Marina

I dream of getting somwhere to the plantation and watch how coffee grows. Never seen it live. Only sell. We have 20 kinds of arabica blends and specialiti coffees. As I see you have your own roastery. What kinds of coffee do you have? Do you make your own blends?

Jun 12, 2009
Emma Jean McDougall

Sounds exciting; I'll rally the troups; we have around 9 baristas at work and some of them will be interested, when abouts are you back in July?

Jun 13, 2009
Jeffri Kainama

HI Pak Alun, thank too you for inviting me to this community, I hope I can learn more and thank for your the new soon open outlet and thanks for all your support

Jun 14, 2009
Jeffri Kainama

anyway Pak, how is your new shop coming, the one next to periplus, sweet revenge he, hahahaha hope all runs well

Jun 14, 2009
Jeffri Kainama

looking forwrd pak, and I wish you for a greater sucsses

Jun 14, 2009
Jeffri Kainama

thanks pak Alun for your comment will add more photo soon, well ya.. rite san marino it is ...best esp machine pak very reliable, very lucky to use one of those and looking forward for the new one this coming july

Jun 15, 2009
Lauren Nicholls

oh thanks man, good to be welcomed! feildings not the most happening of places but if you know where to go and what baristas make decent coffee, i think feildings not to bad coffee wise!and will defo check out the kiwi coffee group thanx :]

Jun 15, 2009
sylvia charlota

I'm base in jakarta. Yes we have stock arabica coffee bean too.
if u need more information pls contact to my mobile : +62 818187860.
Where are u Alun ?
Thanks
Sylvia

Jun 15, 2009
Amanda Hui

thank you , I rosated some bean today ,,haha ,I like it ,Hmmmmmm, hope you will like them,....

Jun 15, 2009
sylvia charlota

Trus kapan bisa ketemu mungkin pertemanan ini bisa sekalian ada business yang dapat dijalankan ?
Ditunggu kabarnya kapan pertemuannya dan dimana ok
bisa juga sms aja ke hp aku 0818187860 or 021 32955631
Thanks
Sylvia

Jun 16, 2009
Al Sterling

Alun...when at CoffeeFest Las Vegas, stopped at Indonesia Trade booth. I spoke with one of directors (?) institutionally representing Indonesia coffee, I believe. But my interest was actually drawn to my old "sweet tooth friend".... KOPICO coffie candies! I see there is now a cappuccino flavor. The gentleman at the booth mentioned another line of coffee candies that were not at the booth. Are you familiar with that area of the Indo-candy biz?

Jun 18, 2009
Louise

hi I sent you an email already.. cheers..

Jun 21, 2009
Josephine Iako

Hi Alun, when in Raro for a holiday or somewhat end up in Raro, pop into our Deli-Licicious Cafe Ltd. It is out of town and opens everyday except for public holidays. Its is a small cafe located on the other side of the island. Pop into the cafe and I'll shout you a cuppa coffee. Cheers

Jun 24, 2009
Chad

Hey Alun! Got your message and I sent you an e-mail... talk soon!
www.cafecircuit.com

Jun 24, 2009
Marina

Hey Alun! Your website is very beautiful and easy to use. And so wonderfull pictures! Especially the one with luwak. Did you make it yourself? And I'm very curious about if you have your own coffee-plantations? And what is your special coffee?

Jun 26, 2009
Les Fry

Hi sorry for a late reply, I've been off line for a bit. You should get yourself over sometime, business is going well and the UK are finaly getting a taste for good coffee. And here in Darlington I seem to be getting the reputation for the best coffee in town.

Jun 28, 2009
Daniel McCombie

Hey Alun. I'm an expat of sorts. Wellington born but moved to Florida when I was eight. Haven't made the pilgrimage back to NZ yet though I'd love to explore something work related. I also recently spent time in London and chanced to visit Monmouth coffee roasters and a couple of area cafes, pleasantly surprised by the large percentage of Kiwis within the ranks. I thought the group would be a great way to keep in touch with the rich NZ specialty scene, at home and abroad.

Jun 29, 2009
jules

hey Alun,
Looks like jakata is were its all at alot closer than central america.
I am a expat from nelson yes born in akl but dont tell any1.
I ended up in Vancouver thanks to the Piccilo Family(caffee artigiano and 49th parrelel, Vince (not sammy)
So have worked alongside 1 of the best (competition) baristas in the wrold.

I came 3rd at seattle last year in the millrock comp, bomed out in vegas but.

I saw the indoneisan trading booth were you there Ill catch up in seattle as I assume you will be there.

Looks like i will have come buy your operation in indonesia looks awsome.

I am intending to move home next year and open shop.
onelove

Jun 29, 2009
Marina

There's not only Buddha. In our city every wintwr we have ice labyrinth and in summer it's from sand. Last year topic was russian and ukrainian folklore, this year - world-famous sights. Very beautuful.

Jun 30, 2009
Albert

yes i am indonesian.. :) nice to know you. i believe you know my country better than i do .. :)
really want to learn more from you about coffee.
i worked in several coffee shops in Sydney, but now i am working in the Picasso espresso bar, Clarence street.
are you in Sydney ?

Jul 3, 2009
Albert

heheheheh... that's more than enough.. :)

i want to improve my self in the coffee area. to be honest, i 've been looking for a mentor in this field for the last 2 years but it's hard to find someone who willing to share their knowledge.
become a barista is so much fun, but i just need to become much better than right now.. :)
i am looking something new..

will be nice to have a coffee and chat with you ..

Jul 3, 2009
gwilym

yeah, I should never have left!

Jul 3, 2009
Karen Eland

Thanks for the coffee art comment! You have some lovely pictures; would you be open to me using some for an upcoming 'coffee origins' series?

Jul 3, 2009
Karen Eland

Great! I'll look through and choose the ones I think would fit best... or if you have any special favorites, I'd love to see them as well. You know more of the story behind each one so if there's something I might miss, feel free to point it out.

Jul 3, 2009
Karen Eland

Yeah, the Venice ones would definitely be welcome. Send anything you like!

Jul 3, 2009