Everhāos on Java: Cuppings, Takeovers, and New Friends

This year we have exciting trips & events! So many that we’ve decided to create a new article space for you to stay in touch with what’s been happening and a sneak peek to our future projects

In April, Everhāos made the trip to Central Java for two very different but equally memorable events: a public cupping and bar takeover at Hustle Kafe in Salatiga, followed by a staff workshop and takeover at Orsola in Semarang

 

Hustle Kafe, Salatiga

 

We first connected with Hustle after noticing they regularly ordering one of our more unusual coffees: a single origin natural Peru by Henry Castro Vasquez roasted for espresso

For us, that immediately raised a question

A coffee with a profile like this is not typically associated with mainstream local preferences and takes a little more work to calibrate. Making it interesting to see it gaining traction in a smaller, quieter town like Salatiga. So we reached out with an idea

What better way to do that than through a public cupping?

Together with our head roaster Nadia & the Hustle team, we hosted an open cupping session where their regulars and curious newcomers could gather around the table, taste coffees together, and share their thoughts. Conversations flowed easily as we discussed Indonesian coffees, changing consumer preferences, and what people are currently seeking in their daily cup

To make the day even more special, Shay did an evening coffee cocktail bar takeover. Events like this are still relatively uncommon in Salatiga and it was exciting to share a different side of coffee culture with the local community

Behind Hustle are Pepy and Nug, a husband-and-wife team whose story perfectly reflects the name of their cafe. What began as a small coffee shop with humble equipment has grown into a beautiful space centered around a Slayer espresso machine. Nug even designed the bar himself, creating a space that feels personal and reflects his personality as a photographer 

Meeting them reminded us that great coffee businesses are rarely built overnight. They are built through persistence, passion, and countless hours of hard work

After a full day of coffee, Pepy and Nug generously introduced us to some of their favourite local culinary spots. A tradition we always appreciate whenever we travel. Some of the best conversations happen after service ends

Orsola, Semarang

Our next stop was Semarang. Roughly an hour away from Salatiga where we were picked up by cafe owner Reka. He competed with Shay in the Indonesian Coffee in Good Spirits in 2024 securing 3rd Place. Reka runs Orsola with his partner Stefani

As luck would have it, our schedule opened up just enough for us to make the short trip from Salatiga to Semarang

The contrast between the two cities was immediately noticeable. Semarang felt more energetic, with its colonial architecture, busy streets, and its own distinct coffee culture and consumer preferences

Before the evening takeover, Shay hosted an internal workshop for the Orsola team focused on a subject often overlooked in coffee education: hospitality

The discussion explored what exists beyond brewing and recipes; guest profiling, understanding customer needs, effective communication, and creating meaningful experiences through beverage service. It was a collaborative session where ideas moved freely between everyone in the room, and we were equally eager to learn from the team’s own experiences in the Semarang market

As the evening began, the pace quickly picked up

Filter coffees, split shots, and coffee cocktails were served continuously until everything eventually sold out. From afternoon until late evening, the Orsola team and Shay barely stopped brewing, shaking, pouring, and engaging with guests

The atmosphere was exactly what we love about these gatherings: great drinks, good music, and it was nice to catch up with industry friends outside of Bali talking about what we all love: coffee

Beyond the event itself, we gained valuable insight into how different markets behave. Coming from Bali, it was interesting to observe the unique preferences, habits, and expectations of guests in Semarang

Looking back, the hospitality we experienced throughout Central Java was incredible

Both Hustle and Orsola welcomed us not simply as suppliers or collaborators, but as friends. They shared their spaces, their communities, and their cities with us. In return, we shared our coffees, our experiences, and our perspectives

These trips remind us why we do what we do at Everhāos. Coffee has always been the reason we meet, but the people are the reason we keep coming back. It is about sharing experiences, being present and in the moment