Magnus Hendratmo
Coffee enthusiasts might consider going to Deles in Klaten regency, Central Java, and enjoy sipping a cup of coffee amid the cold weather of the village, which is nestled on the slope of Mount Merapi.
When the sky is clear, the sandy peak of one of the world’s most active volcanoes looks like a natural painting with a blue sky as its canvas.
Light conversations over cups of the caffeinated beverage feels like a way to slow down the time in Deles village, dubbed a coffee lovers’ heaven.
Petruk is the name given to Deles coffee. For locals, Mbah Petruk is the nickname of Merapi, on whose slopes the coffee is produced, hence the name.
If you come to Deles, however, you won’t see an expanse of coffee plantations. Coffee trees grow only on the border of the yards of residents’ houses. They also grow wild on the edges of Woro cliff.
“Coffee grows wild in Deles, thanks to civets,” village resident Sukiman told The Jakarta Post.
He said that during the Dutch colonial era, Deles was a coffee plantation. When the area turned into residential complexes, coffee trees were used to mark the borders of neighboring yards.
In the past, people harvested coffee and sold it in the market. At present, the harvests are sold to Sukiman, who process them to be ready to brew on-site for visiting coffee lovers, or they are packed as souvenirs.
The great harvest takes place in June. It falls in the dry season when the peak of Merapi can usually be clearly seen from morning. In the full moon, Merapi is also visible at night, making it a sight to behold with a cup of coffee. (yun/mut)