Ever heard of Kopi Joss coffee? In short, this uniquely named coffee is one of the culinary specialities of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. What makes it unique: not only is it a delicious coffee, but it also has its own historical and cultural value.
With its unique presentation, low price, and can be found in some simple food stalls in Yogyakarta, kopi joss can be enjoyed by various groups. If you’re ever in the city of Yogyakarta, we super recommend trying this interesting culinary dish!
Let’s take a look at this article together to find out what Kopi Joss is, what it has to offer, and how to make your own at home! With this, you won’t have to spend extra money to come all the way to Indonesia.
Table of Contents
What Is Kopi Joss?
Kopi Joss is actually regular black coffee, but with a little twist, which is dipping a piece of hot charcoal into it. As strange as it may sound, the combination of coffee and charcoal gives coffee a distinctive aroma and flavor that cannot be matched!
Usually, vendors prefer to use charcoal from unique wood that has been burned to a high temperature. This process makes the charcoal contain activated carbon, which is excellent for health.
Not only that, the hot charcoal will also cut the caffeine content in the coffee. It is suitable for people who cannot or are reducing caffeine consumption.
In Yogyakarta, Kopi Joss is often referred to as “Kopi Joss Malioboro” because it is sold around the Malioboro area, a famous tourist spot in the city!
Is Charcoal Coffee Safe?
Since it is infrequent for people to mix coffee with activated charcoal, it is no wonder that many are still worried about unwanted side effects, especially with the presence of carcinogenic compounds.
From several studies that have been conducted, wood charcoal can help bind toxins and pollutants in our bodies. Until now, the charcoal in Joss coffee is still relatively safe, of course, if you consume it wisely.
History of Kopi Joss
Initially, Kopi Joss Yogyakarta was presented in 1968 at Lik Man’s angkringan, Yogyakarta. At that time, he had a customer who wanted to taste Klotok coffee, another coffee originating from East Java.
Since Lik Man couldn’t fulfill his customer’s wishes, he came up with the innovation of putting hot charcoal directly into the black coffee.
Fortunately, the coffee went down well with customers and became one of Yogyakarta’s most popular dishes. Its popularity has even attracted many foreign tourists!
Also read: 7 Java Coffee Benefits That You Need To Know
The Benefits of Kopi Joss
Aside from the exciting and sensational blend of coffee and charcoal, Yogyakarta’s Kopi Joss has some significant health benefits! Here are some of them:
1. Helps Detoxify the Body
Thanks to the activated charcoal it contains, consuming kopi joss will help bind all the toxins and pollutants in your digestive system. In other words, this drink is perfect for a digestive detox, especially if consumed regularly!
2. Relieves Digestive Problems
Aside from detoxing various toxins and pollutants, the activated charcoal content is also effective in relieving various digestive problems, such as bloating and acid reflux. This means you can consume this coffee without worrying about sudden acid reflux!
3. Lowers Caffeine Levels
As mentioned earlier, some local studies claim that coffee served with charcoal has lower caffeine levels. This way, kopi joss coffee can be consumed by anyone, even if you have specific allergies to caffeine.
The Unique Place of Kopi Joss
Ever heard of angkringan? If this term is unfamiliar, then we’ll introduce it to you. So, angkringan is an eatery with a variety of unique decorations, even including the type of food served. Here, you can eat sego kucing, satay, various fried foods, and Kopi Joss Jogja.
Seated on the floor, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, angkringan is a favorite place to gather with friends or family. Some of them provide a personal space for interaction amidst the busy atmosphere of Jogja.
Angkringan is a unique place where Yogyakarta’s culinary culture blends with the social atmosphere of the local community.
Where to Buy Joss Coffee?
How do you find Kopi Joss? It’s easy; you can find it at some of the following angkringans in Yogyakarta.
1. Lik Man’s Joss Coffee
First of all, the most authentic place to get this coffee is Angkringan Lik Man. This place is located on Jalan Pasar Kembang and is one of Yogyakarta’s famous nightlife spots.
Here, you can taste real joss coffee with hot charcoal pieces. As a side dish, you can also get snacks like satay, tempeh, mendoan, and sego kucing.
2. Kopi Joss Pak Agus
Want to try kopi Joss coffee that’s different from the others? You can try the sweet coffee served by Angkringan Kopi Joss Pak Agus.
With its strategic location near the center of Yogyakarta, this angkringan is always crowded with tourists and locals alike. As a side dish, you can order baceman, grilled banana, and a variety of delicious satay.
3. Angkringan Mas Bagong
The last place is angkringan Mas Bagong. Just like the previous angkringan, this place is located in a strategic place in the middle of the city. This makes it very easy to reach various groups.
With its cozy atmosphere and friendly service, this place is the perfect location to relax for a while after traveling around the city of Yogyakarta.
How to Make Kopi Joss?
What if you can’t visit any of the angkringan above? Don’t worry; you can make your own with a relatively simple recipe. With just a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can enjoy an authentic Yogyakarta dish!
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup of Black Coffee: Choose quality ground coffee for a more delicious drink.
- 1-2 Tablespoons of Sugar: Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste. Skip this ingredient if you prefer bitter black coffee.
- Hot Wood Charcoal Pieces: Use samba wood charcoal (or any other hardwood) that has been burned until smoldering. Make sure the charcoal is safe for consumption and free from chemicals.
Steps:
Here is the coffee joss recipe that you can follow to produce delicious and authentic-tasting coffee!
1. Brew Black Coffee
Add the amount of ground coffee according to your preference, then brew it with hot water. Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Stir until dissolved and then pour into your favorite cup.
2. Prepare Hot Charcoal
Please take a few pieces of wood and set them on fire. For this technique, you can burn it on the stove or coals. Make sure the charcoal is scorching and smoldering red.
3. Dip Charcoal into Coffee
Once it’s done burning, remove it and gently dip it into the cup. You can hear the “joss” sound as the coffee and charcoal mix. This sound is what characterizes this coffee and provides a unique experience for the connoisseur.
4. Enjoy While Warm
Once the charcoal starts to cool down, gently remove it from the cup for easier consumption. Now, your homemade Joss coffee is ready to enjoy! Sip slowly to experience the complex flavor of strong black coffee with a unique touch of charcoal.
Also read: Special Tips from Indonesia: How to Make Tubruk Coffee
Experience the Unique Sensation of Joss Coffee!
More than just a unique drink, Kopi Joss is also a symbol of Yogyakarta’s culture that is worth exploring further. After learning about its long history and the various health benefits it offers, are you more interested in trying it for yourself?
If you can’t get the chance to try authentic Kopi Joss Yogyakarta, you can make your own at home with our guide! To get the best taste of Joss coffee, make sure to buy quality coffee beans from Indonesia, especially Java Coffee.
Want to have the best taste of Joss coffee? You can get some of the best-quality Indonesian coffee beans at FnB Coffee! We offer a wide selection of premium coffee beans from Indonesia.
With the perfect flavor and aroma, you are guaranteed to have a different coffee experience than usual. Head over to the FnB Coffee website, choose our best-selling beans, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every day!
