Indonesian coffee with clove represents a deep fusion of two of the archipelago’s most famous commodities, creating a beverage tradition that is both historically rich and dynamically evolving. The combination of locally grown coffee and native spices like clove (or cengkeh) is a hallmark of Indonesian drinking culture, reflecting centuries of history, local tradition, and modern innovation.

🌿 Historical Roots of Coffee and Clove in Indonesia

The parallel histories of coffee and clove in Indonesia are deeply intertwined with the nation’s colonial past and spice trade.

• Coffee’s Arrival and Evolution: Coffee was first brought to Indonesia in the late 1600s by the Dutch, who began cultivation on Java. The first exports to Europe in 1711 established Indonesia as a major coffee producer. The industry was built on an exploitative system known as the Cultuurstelsel (Cultivation System), which forced farmers to grow coffee for the colonial government. A coffee leaf rust disease outbreak in the late 19th century wiped out many Arabica plants, leading to the introduction of the hardier Robusta variety, which now comprises most of Indonesia’s production.
• Clove: The Native “Magic Spice”: Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands (also known as the Moluccas or Spice Islands) of Indonesia. The spice was so valuable that in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was a primary driver of the global spice trade and a cause of conflict among European powers seeking control. The Dutch, like with coffee, went to great lengths to maintain a monopoly over clove production.

The natural pairing of these two historic commodities in beverages is a uniquely Indonesian tradition born from an abundance of both ingredients.

☕ Traditional Coffee and Clove Drinks

In Indonesian tradition, coffee and cloves are rarely enjoyed separately; they are combined in drinks that offer warmth, comfort, and health benefits.

• Bandrek: A traditional warm drink from West Java, Bandrek combines ginger, cloves, cinnamon, lemongrass, and palm sugar in hot water. It is known for soothing sore throats, boosting the immune system, and warming the body in cooler high-altitude regions.
• Bajigur: Another West Javan specialty, Bajigur is a hot beverage made with coffee, pandan leaves, coconut milk, palm sugar, and ginger. The inclusion of aromatic spices like cloves makes it a soothing, immune-boosting drink packed with antioxidants.
• Wedang Jahe: While primarily a ginger tea, Wedang Jahe is often steeped with a mix of spices, including cloves, lemongrass, and cardamom. This immune-boosting drink is enjoyed throughout Indonesia.
• Kopi Joss: A unique coffee drink from Yogyakarta, Kopi Joss involves dropping a piece of hot, burning charcoal into a cup of coffee. The charcoal is said to impart a caramel-like flavor and neutralize acidity, and the drink often includes spices like cloves, offering health benefits such as lowered cholesterol.

🍹 Contemporary Coffee Creations

The timeless pairing of coffee and clove has found new life in contemporary coffee shops and modern recipes, both in Indonesia and internationally.

• Iced Indonesian Coffee (Kopi Jahe): A modern take on a classic, this iced coffee combines cold brew with ginger, coconut puree, and a hint of ground cardamom. While this particular recipe uses cardamom, it illustrates how traditional spice profiles are being adapted, and cloves can be a natural addition for those seeking a more Indonesian-inspired flavor.
• Kopi Ginseng: Recognized by Taste Atlas as one of the best Indonesian coffee drinks, Kopi Ginseng mixes coffee with ginseng extract or powder. Modern baristas might build upon this concept by incorporating other traditional spices, including cloves, to create health-focused “wellness” lattes and tonics.
• Spice-Infused Specialty Brews: The global specialty coffee movement has embraced spice infusions. Using Indonesia’s single-origin beans from regions like Sumatra, Sulawesi, or Java, roasters and baristas create signature drinks by steeping whole cloves directly in coffee or using clove-forward syrup. The earthy, full-bodied, and low-acidity profile of Sumatran coffee pairs exceptionally well with the warm, intense notes of clove.

✨ Cultural Significance and Conclusion

The blending of coffee and clove is more than a matter of taste—it’s a reflection of Indonesian history and culture. Cloves, with their antiseptic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, have long been valued in traditional medicine. When combined with coffee, they create a beverage that is believed to offer both comfort and health benefits, from relieving muscle pain to aiding digestion.

From the historic spice ports of the Maluku Islands to the vibrant warungs (street stalls) of Java and modern cafes around the world, Indonesian coffee with clove offers a rich and aromatic experience. Whether you seek the traditional comfort of a hot Bandrek or the innovative thrill of a clove-infused cold brew, this classic pairing provides a delicious way to savor a piece of Indonesian heritage. ☕️