FECO | Specialty Coffee Indonesia

Coffee has traveled an extraordinary journey across continents and centuries. From a scientific perspective, Coffea arabica originated in the montane forests of Ethiopia, where it naturally evolved through the hybridization of Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides. In the 15th century, Arabica was brought to Yemen, where it was first cultivated on a large scale and traded through the famous Port of Mocha, introducing coffee to the Middle East and eventually Europe.

As coffee's popularity grew, European colonial powers competed to control its trade. In the late 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) transported Arabica seedlings to Batavia. Although the first planting failed, a second shipment in 1699 succeeded, marking the beginning of commercial coffee cultivation in Java. The VOC established a monopoly over coffee production and exports, transforming the Dutch East Indies into one of the world's leading coffee-producing regions.

Over time, coffee cultivation spread across the fertile volcanic highlands of Java, including the Dieng Plateau and the mountains of Banjarnegara. Today, Banjarnegara is recognized for producing distinctive Arabica coffee, grown in high-altitude areas such as Kalibening, Pandanarum, Pejawaran, Batur, and Wanayasa. With its rich volcanic soil, cool climate, and dedicated farmers, Banjarnegara continues the remarkable journey of Arabica—turning a wild forest plant from Ethiopia into a coffee with a unique identity and flavor enjoyed around the world.

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