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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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Carlo Grenci

sorry, Alun
I hadn't read well your description as "crushed ICED espresso" ; I thought you were thinking about crushed ICE in the espresso....
don't let the espresso get iced in a single block; shake it strongly in the bottle rather often; every 20 minutes

enjoy

carlo

Nov 6, 2009
Jenn Chen

Hi Alun, sorry I never got back to you on your comment. My parents are from Taiwan and most of my extended family are still there, so I go back to visit every once in a while. However, coffee-wise, I'm most definitely looking to start in Chicago and stay within the U.S. The drive to get a foot in the door is very slow and disappointing, to be honest, but thank you for the encouragement.

Nov 7, 2009
paul dawson

Hey there, good to meet you, Dunedin is all good , great village for us to operate from as it has good style and easy living. Allpress has continued to push and grow and is now opening in London next year, so the kiwi experince expands. Paul

Nov 8, 2009
Jason

HI Alun,

Its the new Plus for You, how r you?

Nov 9, 2009
Sarah Leanne Barnett

It's inspiring to read profiles like this. There are few and far between in the coffee industry that want to leave the world better than they found it and succeed. I appreciate the passion behind your roast and for reaching out to enocurage me! I can only hope to reach the level you've attained!

Nov 12, 2009
Ali Hojeij

Well nice talking to you, you are welcome any time to Lebanon,sl tell me what you do there and how is your business in coffee. CMA machines forme are so good with a long experience with them.

Nov 12, 2009
Phil

Hey Alun,

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you. I have been traveling a bit and haven't checked my BX in a while. It's really cool that the coffee you grow is consumed locally also. Ya, that would be cool to meet up once we get settled in. We are excited to find some coffee shops in Taiwan (we have found a few on BX already). Sounds like you are doing some pretty cool things with specialty coffee in Indonesia.

Nov 16, 2009
scott satterwhite

thanks so much alun!

Nov 17, 2009
heminui

nah. I wish. next year, but probably after xmas, so the next Jan/Feb

Nov 29, 2009
francisco

IS HARD .... HERE EN CANCUN
BUT IT'S GREATTTT EVERYTHING HERE!!!

Nov 29, 2009
Jennifer Jacobs

thanks! a bit of everywhere i've been

Nov 30, 2009
Matt Milletto

Hey Alun, awesome that you got a bX t-shirt. Yes, I made the Vanuatu Barista comp. It was awesome and I will be writing about it for Barista Magazine soon. Too bad you couldn't be there, maybe next year? :)

Dec 1, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Evan,

Long time no see. How about your coffee business?

Follow your story in here, i appreciate your posts & comments. Presently, I have my own plan in Vietnam. I wanna buy some roasted & green been in Indonesia where is one of high quality coffee sources in the world. Can I buy your roasted & green bean from your company under my own brand?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hung

Dec 1, 2009
John Walker

Just read your Papua stories.
Wow. Your writing and descriptions are great. I love it.

Dec 8, 2009
David Kwon

Hello Alun Evans. You seem to be a very well traveled coffee man. Thanks for the friend invite! I'm just getting into the industry, any tips you want to share will be appreciated, I promise!

Dec 8, 2009
Nichole DuPont

Hey! Thanks for finding me on Barista Exchange. Looking forward to seeing those pictures. I would like to post them to our Facebook page. Thanks again!

Dec 9, 2009
Steve Lomax

Hey Alun Steve here from Down under in answer to your question. I was an Aussie who went to school in Colorado. I am pretty well travelled. Ended up joining the USN for a while as well. Had a great time in the US and miss it at times. But I am happy in my life at the moment and have just been promoted to Cafe Manager and Head Barista. Looks like the trip to Papua was awesome. I want to do that to Bali soon. Alot of Aussies go to Bali to party on etc. Which is fine, But I want to go and check out the coffee growing regions. Balinese coffee is nice actually quite mild and calming. Good to hear from you. Keep in tocuh. Cheers Stevo

Dec 10, 2009
mia sari

Hey Alun, thanks for adding me! God, nice to meet you here.. i work at starbucks, and many customers there, they are all recommending Merdeka coffee! i tried it myself, and it's gooooooooodd... great job Alun! =)

Dec 20, 2009
mia sari

its been 2 years now.. well, i first know Merdeka coffee from one of regular customers here, he was searching for whole bean coffee, and he asked me "do you ever heard of Merdeka coffee?", and many people ask the same thing after.
You really should distribute Merdeka to starbucks, Alun.. It got so popular here =)

Dec 20, 2009
mia sari

Great.. i guess i'll see you around then..
Sampai ketemu!

Dec 21, 2009
Cafeist

Hi there my friend, apakabar? Are you in Indonesia now... Wishing you joyful Christmas and Happy New Year. All the best for you, your friends and family!

Dec 22, 2009
Mike M

Amazing photos Alun! I'm considering taking a trip to Sumatra sometime around early June and would love to see some coffee plantations. Any recommendations for such a trip?

Dec 26, 2009
Mike M

Thank you for the quick response Alun! Honestly the thought of a trip to Indonesia is a bit of an impulse, but I don't want to miss the opportunity given that I'll be back living in Okinawa, Japan between April and June. I'm hoping to be able to take a week off towards the tail end of the time I have left there to get down to Indonesia (and my wife may come too).

More than anything, I would love to see some places where coffee is grown and processed, and I don't have my heart set on Sumatra. What would you recommend? What do you think it would cost once I flew into the country for about a week's worth of traveling/lodging?

Thanks again!!

Dec 26, 2009
mia sari

Thanks Alun, Happy holiday to you too! Wish you all the best for you, your family and of course Merdeka coffee! =)

Dec 29, 2009
Jason Strother

Thanks and yes it is, its the La Pavoni Bar L3 Revolution.

Dec 31, 2009
Stickman

Hey Alun.
I enjoy your posts and pictures.
Could you, if time allows, send me some information on Relationship bean brokers you'd recommend that could help me source beans in western Canada (ie: anybody in WA, OR, CA or BC). I have goals to bring in nothing but Relationship beans and have gotten some from Atlas in Seattle. Eventually I'd like to travel to Origin with key staff members (probably Central America to start) but until the funds become available I still need to pursue my principles with best bean practices!
Thanks so much,
David

Jan 3, 2010
Stickman

Thanks Alun. I'll follow those leads.
If you hear of anything in your travels please keep me apprised.
Happy New Year,

Jan 3, 2010
Lava Coffee

Hello Alun,
A belated thank you for the welcome to Barista Exchange

Jan 8, 2010
Pangi

Alun,
Whatsup! Hope things are moving well for ya.
Thought you'd be interested in this recent Wellington development if you don't already know about it: Coffee Supreme's new bar
Peace

Feb 1, 2010
Pangi

Not surprised at all Mr Evans. You are certainly on top of your game. Nah I'm still in NYC. Won't be back for a while....gotta save up to start my roasting biz eh!

Feb 1, 2010
Pangi

Very very slowly. Easing into things because of the desire to build a decent product/processes and a shoestring budget. It's all hobby at the moment but we'll see. Your photos are great by the way. You wouldn't know of any Rship importers on the East coast would ya?

Feb 1, 2010
zen van

hey alun,
thnx for adding me. yah we\re quite a neighbor, i mean we r not that far. im actually located in Davao City..southern part of philippines..i see that you like going to coffee farms in mountainous region..there is also a coffee farm here. about 3 hrs travel by land..anyways, best regards to people out there.GodBless

Feb 2, 2010
John Walker

My uncle lives at Otaki Beach. You would be looking for a warm place out of the wind at Kapiti[at any time of the year] after what you have got used to the last ten years?

Mar 6, 2010
John Walker

All is well with me.
Next tuesday is our Mackay Latte Art Comp. The winner gets a trip to Sydney to rep Mackay in the Cafe Biz Latte Art Comp the 2/3 May. I'm the organiser. It's a lot of work getting as many groups as possible involved. From roasters to milk companies to training providers to cafe operators and all spread out over many hundreds of km. From Brisbane to Townsville is 1500km.
Our monthly jam sessions have helped with promo and convincing sponsers we are serious, though.
My brother lived for many years in Thailand /Cambodia. Every time he went back to NZ it really knocked him around. Almost exactly what you are talking about. It seems the older we get, the less our bodies can handle fast latitude changes [0 to 40] and adapt slower.
Do take care and it's a reminder that we arent 23 and bullet proof anymore.
The days when we might have been called up for the All Black trials are long gone, mate.

Mar 15, 2010
bukenya john paul

HI I'VE OBSERVED THAT always with coffee there is a supprise, the unexpeted happens.

Mar 24, 2010
Ruli Amrullah

thanks to comment my wall , now i is free or par timer barista if have information for barista please leave comment in my wall thank bro

Apr 5, 2010
Daniel McCombie

Hey Alun,

We spoke at short length many months ago.I understand you are probably very busy but you seem like a good resource. My question is what are the most well reputed coffee shops in Christchurch? If you could point me in the right direction that would be great. Hope alls well, thanks for the help.

Apr 6, 2010
Daniel McCombie

Thanks for the prompt response Alun. Its a great help. Take care and happy trails.

Apr 13, 2010
John Walker

21ST APRIL 2010

The Australian National Team achieved a GOLD medal in the Hot Kitchen In Singapore today

Paul Hickey(NSW), Daniel Hurley (ACT), Shannon Kellam (Queensland), Stephen Clarke (WA), Shane Keighley (Queensland, team captain), Sian Cole (WA), Jennie Keys(SA). Andre Kropp (TAS), Royston Clark (WA).

The team is competing in Singapore during the FHA show, for the hot kitchen they prepared a menu for 85 covers live and will display their cold table tomorrow.

Twelve international teams will compete for the top three positions over the four days and the top three will compete for the coveted lion trophy.

The team would like to thank all of the sponsors and everybody who has supported them.

Give them my regards please Alun. Are you 'lapping it up'?

Apr 21, 2010
Melissa

Sorry it took so long to reply but i hadn't checked this site in a long time. Had to comment though, because I live at Riverbend, lol. My shop is located in what used to be the City Market complex in the old Virgin Islands Lounge location. Unfortunatly, Eddie Bears is gone as is the Old Dillon Inn. If you get back to this area stop in and say hi. =)

Jun 27, 2010
Ali Hojeij

Hello.
Sorry for being late just working on a new coffee concept in lebanon. Lucky you working in the farm with coffee beans. That means i can visit you one day to experience the trees and coffee beans.

Jun 30, 2010
Reggie Elliott

Re: Sweden's coffee scene. Outside of DaMatteo here in GBG, I'd say Sweden's kinda lacking in the specialty coffee market. People just seem to like what they like. However I do think that if there was a shop here that was a bit more specialized people would be responsive.

Jul 23, 2010
Ali Hojeij

Go ahead abd drop it, and i will snd you the pictures soon for the new concept i made in lebanon

Jul 27, 2010
Mavin

hi Alun, how ru? heard that u guys are coming to the KL market... how true isit? if yes im really excited to know what u guys can offer us ( as u know the Malaysian coffee culture has juz started to pick up ) haha.

Jan 16, 2011
ChaRLoTTe

Hello~

I have a job dy... Thanks! ^^

Will drop by to have a coffee when start operating~~ ^_^

Jan 23, 2011
Mavin

hi Alun, yeah was great chatting with u too. learned alot from u. thanks. good to hear that. wow the critics move fast dont they..haha. will visit u soon, most prob next week on a weekday. haha ill pray that it gets busy over there. no worries im sure it will. regards.

Feb 25, 2011
boyd

Dear Alun,

Thank you very much for your genorisity offer for BX member, defenitely I will drop soon.

See you

Mar 3, 2011
John Walker

Congratulations. Always nice to know that competitors know where to get the good gear.

Apr 10, 2011
Louise

Hi Alun, hw r you? I need an espresso bean, friends of mine wants to open their coffee shop? Can you help me? Thx.

Apr 26, 2011
Amelia Jane

Hello.I am located in KL,Malaysia :)

Jun 6, 2012