Traces of Robusta Coffee in Buleleng: Historical Journey and Its Impact on Tradition and Economy

The existence of robusta coffee in Buleleng cannot be separated from the history of the arrival of coffee to Indonesia by the Dutch at the end of the 17th century. At the end of the 19th century, the development of coffee in Indonesia, especially the robusta type, experienced a significant increase. In Bali, Robusta coffee was originally planted as a plant to prevent erosion and pests that attack Arabica coffee plants. At the beginning of the 20th century, in Banyuatis Village, Buleleng, Bali, a puppet artist named Jro Dalang Gelgel started home-scale robusta coffee production. The development of robusta coffee in Buleleng has had a significant economic impact on the local community. The coffee industry is the backbone of the economy, creating jobs and driving infrastructure development in the region. Robusta coffee is not only an economic commodity, but also has deep cultural value for the Balinese people. Drinking coffee at a local shop has become part of a daily ritual, strengthening social ties. Local artists even use coffee as inspiration for their works of art, reflecting the life and values of Balinese people.