A Story from a Cup of Coffee Warming the Dieng Highlands
The cold air of the Dieng Highlands in Banjarnegara, Central Java, did not deter visitors from enjoying a warm cup of coffee. That afternoon, Friday (28/8), the temperature in the Dieng area was recorded at around 16 degrees Celsius.
At the Gatotkaca Venue in the Dieng Temple complex, a number of coffee stalls stood amidst the bustling Dieng Culture Festival (DCF) 2026. Various types of coffee from several regions were offered to visitors.
A visitor named Alex appeared to choose one of the stalls before enjoying the Arabica coffee served. After a few sips, he immediately gave his assessment. “Hmmm… the coffee is great, really strong,” he said.
The coffee Alex enjoyed came from Rumbia, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi. Rumbia Arabica coffee was one of the products from outside Java present at the Dieng Coffee Festival 2026.
Nasrum, a Rumbia Arabica coffee activist, said the coffee he develops grows in mountainous areas at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,800 metres above sea level.
He admitted it was his first time participating in the Dieng Coffee Festival. Previously, Nasrum had brought his coffee products to several festivals in Jakarta, Bali, and Ambon. “Alhamdulillah, we are very grateful to the Dieng Coffee Festival committee friends who invited us to be here,” said Nasrum.
For Nasrum, participating in the festival in Dieng provided a different experience. Besides being able to meet coffee players from various regions, he was also interested in the character of the Dieng area, which is located in the highlands.
The festival, he said, was also an opportunity to expand the market for Rumbia Arabica coffee products. “The advantage is that our coffee can be known throughout Indonesia. Even abroad as well, because earlier there was a buyer who tasted our coffee,” he said.
More than just a place to sell products, the Dieng Coffee Festival also served as a meeting space for coffee business players. Farmers, processors, business actors, and coffee enthusiasts from various regions met and exchanged experiences.
Not only from outside Dieng, but coffee activists from Banjarnegara also appeared in the event.
The Dieng Coffee Festival was one part of the Dieng Culture Festival 2026 series held in Dieng Kulon Village, Batur District, Banjarnegara Regency, on 28-30 August 2026.
Amidst cultural, musical, and natural tourism agendas, the coffee festival brought another story about the creative economy potential growing in the mountainous region.
Chairman of the Dieng Coffee Festival Committee Alif Zen Fahmi said the activity was the result of collaboration between the Dieng Mountains Arabica Coffee Geographical Indication Protection Society of Banjarnegara and Banjarnegara Creative Economy.
This year’s Dieng Coffee Festival carried the theme “The Dieng Origin Mountain Coffee”. The theme was also an effort to introduce the character of coffee grown in various areas of Banjarnegara. “We want to emphasise that Banjarnegara actually has coffee and has quite good potential,” said Alif.
According to him, the Dieng Coffee Festival did not only focus on one type of coffee. Visitors could learn more about Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica coffee produced from various areas in Banjarnegara.
Through the Dieng Coffee Showcase concept, visitors were invited to see the long journey of coffee before it reaches the cup.
The exhibition was divided into several stations, namely the Green Bean Station, Roastery Station, Public Cupping, and Brewing Station.
At the Green Bean Station, visitors were introduced to various types of coffee beans. Next, the Roastery Station displayed the coffee bean roasting process.
Meanwhile, through Public Cupping, visitors could recognise the character and flavour of coffee through a tasting process. The Brewing Station showcased various brewing techniques.
With this concept, visitors not only enjoyed a cup of coffee but also gained an overview of the long process that takes place from coffee harvesting to serving.
The festival also presented a Spice Station displaying various spice products from Banjarnegara. The creative economy sector also presented a Dawet Ayu coffee milk innovation that combines coffee with local culinary specialities.
Thus, coffee was not positioned as a single commodity but became part of a creative economy ecosystem connected to culture, tourism, food, and other local products.
The liveliness of the Dieng Coffee Festival was further enhanced by the presence of coffee from various regions in Indonesia.
Through the support of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Law, the festival presented coffee from 14 Geographical Indication Protection Societies from various regions.
The coffee products exhibited came from several areas in Sumatra, Sulawesi, West Java, Central Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
Besides coffee, a number of products based on communal intellectual property were also introduced, including carica and purwaceng from Wonosobo.
For Alif, the presence of coffee players from various regions was an important opportunity to exchange information, experiences, and get to know different coffee characters.
The festival also provided a large space for local coffee players. A total of 35 coffee product senders from various areas of Banjarnegara were involved in the activity, from Susukan District to Batur.
A number of business actors fostered by PNM and MSMEs also took part. Their presence was expected to open new market opportunities amidst the high number of tourist visits to the Dieng area during DCF.
The presence of the Dieng Mountains Coffee Festival did not only have economic significance. Coffee was also seen as part of efforts to preserve the environment and support the agenda of making Banjarnegara a…