With the Lava/Volcano Tour, tourism in Sleman has increased since the 2010 Merapi eruption. Tourists are invited to use a Jeep or a dirt bike to explore the ruins of Merapi’s ferocity. There is one shop along this tour that you should not miss, and that is the Merapi Coffee Shop.
Petung Hamlet, Kepuharjo, Cangkringan, Sleman Regency is where the Merapi Coffee Shop is. At first, this shop’s coffee was called Kopi Petung, the area’s name. But now, this traditional coffee from Petung is called Kopi Merapi (Merapi coffee).
Here, visitors can enjoy brewing coffee beans grown directly on the volcanic soil of Mount Merapi’s slopes. There are two kinds of coffee available: Robusta coffee and Arabica coffee. This coffee shop only serves fried foods and instant noodles as part of its food menu.
The Merapi Coffee Shop is the only structure in the vicinity. Previously, the shop’s owner was involved in coffee plantations. However, his/her coffee plantation was destroyed by the Merapi eruption in 2010, until he/she had the bright idea of opening a Merapi coffee shop. To save money, the shop owner built the shop using materials from the nearby Merapi eruption.
The Merapi Coffee Shop opened in November 2012 with a traditional concept. In this case, coffee beans are processed traditionally, namely by roasting them in a frying pan made of clay and fueled by wood. To date, there are two semi-permanent structures; the one next to the shop is a prayer room built at donors’ expense.
The Merapi Coffee Shop is located on the road leading to the Merapi Lava Tour. From Jalan Kaliurang, head north until you reach the Pakem intersection, then turn left towards Cangkringan. After a few kilometers, signs point the way to Konahrejo Village, now known as Merapi Lava Tourism, and Mbah Maridjan’s Petilasan House. After passing the Merapi Lava Tour levy, look to the right for directions to Petung Tourism Village. Follow the road through Petung Village’s residential area for a few hundred meters until you reach the Merapi Coffee Shop.
The Merapi Coffee Shop has a pleasant atmosphere. There is occasionally the sound of a Jeep transporting lava tour tourists and a truck hauling sand. Because of the arid and sandy environment, dust often scatters when vehicles pass. Even though it is inconvenient, the shop owner is powerless to intervene due to the existing environmental conditions since Merapi’s eruption.
When the weather is nice, visitors can enjoy coffee while looking out at Mount Merapi. The Merapi Coffee Shop remains a popular rest stop for tourists after touring Merapi’s slopes.
