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FLORES coffee, especially Manggarai and Ngada, is well known both nationally and internationally. However, unfortunately many hotels and restaurants in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) still use coffee from outside the region as a treat for guests.
According to the Chairman of the National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) NTT, Julie Sutrisno Laiskodat said that it is mandatory for all five-star hotels and restaurants in Labuan Bajo to use Flores Coffee as the main drink.
“Coffee from our 13 regencies is well known at the national and international level. They are Robusta and Arabica coffee from Manggarai with Bajawa, Flores coffee,” said Juli.
He made this statement when launching the Flores Geographical Indication Coffee with Mane Inspiration Coffee at the Meruorah Hotel. He said that so far, Arabica and Robusta coffee have been certified for geographical indications. Manggarai Raya, East Manggarai is also the origin of coffee because the coffee plants there meet the standard quality of geographical indications.
“Then, Manggarai in Ruteng, has a lot of Baristas up to the packaging and cafes. Then, West Manggarai, as a super premium market destination downstream,” Juli remarked.
She also invited the people of NTT to consume coffee from their own area because it is useless if they only promote coffee, but do not become consumers.
“So, earlier there was an association as well as the PHRI and the GM of hotels and restaurants which I socialized to require the use of the coffee. Only NTT coffee, especially Manggarai or Bajawa coffee,” she noted.
Juli admitted that economically, the budget goes out to buy coffee from outside the region. However, in principle, if you want to compete, coffee in NTT must meet standards.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Manggarai Hery Nabit said that in launching the Flores Geographical Indication Coffee, there was an agreement from the Chair of the NTT Dekranasda against the Regents of East Manggarai, Manggarai and West Manggarai Regents.
The agreement is that at the side event of the G20 presidency in Labuan Bajo, coffee producers from East Manggarai, processing from Manggarai, and marketing in West Manggarai Regency, namely in the Super Premium tourism city of Labuan Bajo.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Governor of NTT and Mrs. Juli who fought for Manggarai coffee to become the official coffee in the G20 sessions,” concluded Hery. [kompas.com/photo special]
