Beyond being a land of a thousand mosques, Aceh is also renowned as a region of a thousand coffee shops. Almost every corner of Aceh's cities is home to a coffee shop. These establishments are never empty, always teeming with patrons. Some even operate 24 hours a day, making Aceh a paradise for coffee enthusiasts.
As we know, Aceh is one of the world's premier coffee-producing regions. Gayo coffee, for instance, has become synonymous with top-quality beans. Hailing from the Gayo highlands, this coffee is renowned internationally. In fact, a multinational Dutch company had trademarked the name "Gayo Coffee." However, the Aceh Tengah Regency government re-registered Arabica Gayo coffee with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights on April 28, 2010, to obtain a Geographical Indication for Arabica Gayo coffee in the European Union.
This certification allows farmers from the Gayo highlands to export their Arabica coffee internationally. Moreover, the Dutch company can no longer use the "Gayo" brand after this certification.
For the people of Aceh, drinking coffee is a way of life. They often spend their time sipping coffee in coffee shops. Before or after work, they're sure to visit a coffee shop. In recent times, some creative workers have even chosen to work in coffee shops. It's not uncommon to find young people with laptops working in these establishments.
The following are a few photos I took at a coffee shop in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. []
- This is my entry for the #monomad challenge