For coffee lovers, travelling to Yogyakarta won’t be completed without trying this famous coffee called Kopi Joss, “Charcoal Coffee”. In recent years, charcoal coffee has found its way into the coffee shops. Many coffee shops are now selling Charcoal coffee latte which usually comes with milk. But before this whole thing, the original charcoal coffee can be found at Yogyakarta just next to the main railway station, Tugu.
There is a history behind how this coffee was invented. This coffee was first made in 1980 in a street food stall that sells snacks and small portions of rice. In this place, the train conductor asked the seller for a coffee. The coffee was then given charcoal coals by the seller so that it will be more well-done. Interestingly, everyone likes it and now, it has spread everywhere. So, it wasn’t invented due to additional health benefits or anything which is often what people do when trying to invent new coffee or trying to market coffee - This was made out of the blue.
The first place selling this coffee was called “ Angkringan Lik Man”. However these days many people are selling this same coffee just across the railway station. Would the taste be the same? I have no idea because I have only tried 2 out of about 10 places.
The place that I visited was a place that was recommended to me by my cousin. He went to the place earlier in July when we traveled together with mom. He said that the coffee in this place is good and that I would like it. I don’t normally trust people’s recommendations because they either suck or are good but for my cousin, he knows what I like, so I can trust his recommendation.
I enjoy watching the hot charcoal and the sizzling sound it made when it dunked into the coffee. It was interesting to see how the coffee turned smoky and then faded to black.
“ Imagine if they use starbuck beans” I added
“ hahaha, even with just random beans, it tasted quite alright, didn't it?”
The safety of drinking coffee itself is up to debate. Some people who like the coffee said that it has some health benefits but some argue that it contains carcinogens due the fact that the hot charcoal is dunked into the coffee. For many curious minds, this coffee is interesting and must try the same thing with coffee lovers.
This is when the hot burning charcoal is dipped into the coffee. There was a power outage when I tried taking pictures of it. So, it turned out quite dark.
This is the kettle that they use to make the coffee.
So, how does it taste?
The coffee was unusually sweet. It tasted like the seller added almost 2 teaspoons of sugar into the coffee. But the coffee itself has a strong smoky aroma with smoky aftertaste. My cousin said the coffee could possibly be from a brand called kopi satu satu which is a coffee ground product from east java, where our hometown is. My only curiosity this time is, how would it taste if I use starbuck grounds? I may have to request it sometime from the seller when I visit again. A Kopi Joss made with starbuck grounds but with burning charcoal dunked into it. As you can see from the picture below, the charcoal is also used to grill the satays that are also sold in the place.
Would you want to try this coffee?
All Images are taken with sony DSC H300 edited with lightroom mobile
 | Mac is a jack of all trades. A typical introvert in love with literature, books, technology and philosophy. She is also so into nootropics, productivity, minimalist lifestyle, cybersecurity, and languages. Other than that, she is passionate about cooking and traveling. In her free time, she enjoys learning various things. If you like her content, don't hesitate to upvote, leave a comment or a feedback. A re-blog is also appreciated. |