The journey of coffee to the island of Java was long and perilous. It is a story - part legend, part fact - that has touched every continent over its almost seven-hundred year history. Coffee came to be produced in Java with the involvement of the Dutch East-India Trade Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC). When VOC was dissolved in 1799, the archipelago fell under direct control of the Netherlands government. Coffee cultivation on Java was proving extremely productive and lucrative. And the thirst for Javanese coffee in Europe was unquenchable.

In 1922 a young Dutchman, Gustav Van der Swan, leased a total of fourteen hectares of land from the government of the Netherlands East Indies to start a coffee plantation in the highlands of Central Java. At that time this area was relatively unexplored due to its prohibitive, buy yet stunning, mountainous terrain. Indeed, the plantation is located 900 meters above sea level and is surrounded by no fewer than eight volcanoes. He named his estate Karangredjo Coffee Plantation complemented it with the construction of the plantation manor house in 1928. He planted robusta seedlings (which production began in earnest 1932) and remained proprietor of the plantation through the war and into the first decades of independence. After forty years, maintaining a coffee plantation proved too much for the aging, Van der Swan in 1946 sold the plantation to Colonel Tjokroprawiro, a retired army officer and hero of the revolution from Salatiga. Tjokroprawiro kept cultivating coffee until 1988 when he passed away. His wife took over the day-to-day operations, but; just like Van der Swan, when maintenance proved difficult and costly by 1991 she was ready to find a buyer. Around this time, Gabriella Teggia, a native of Rome; who came to Indonesia in 1965 and the former owner of Amandari Resort in Ubud-Bali; was trekking through the mountains looking for some old coffee plantations where she could develop a new concept of resort. She purchased the plantation with the help of her partner, Raden Ayu Anita Dewayani, on the last day of December 1991. They changed the name from Karangredjo to Losari after the village in which it is located. (From A Cup of Java by Gabriella Teggia and Mark Hanusz)

Where to drink
Large coffee chains like Starbuck's and Coffee Bean serve delicious blends but the real charm and passion can be found at independent cafes.

1. Bakoel Coffee
   The history of this brand goes all the way back to 1878 to Liauw Tek Siong who roasted beans in a small pan and sold them to wealthy residents of Hayam Wuruk. The Bakoel Coffee brand is still run by his great- grandchildren. Jl. Barito II No. 11A T 722 8353
2. Scoops
   Spend a whole day here with a good book. Like an extension of a comfy, rustic living room, Scoops has beaten-up chairs, large sofas and a hodge-podge of wooden furniture, chosen carefully by the owners; two bubbly young women who met at school. The best part is they also serve great food. Jl. Barito II No 7A T 725 0609
3. Caswells
   Real lattes, proper cappuccinos and a passion for coffee. Plus great Deli sandwiches. Jl. Kemang Raya

What to Read
A Cup of Java , Equinox Publishing, available at all good bookshops and Bakoel Coffee cafe

Where to Stay
Losari Coffee Plantation Resort & Spa is built on a 20-hectare coffee plantation in Central Java, halfway between Jogjakarta, Semarang and Solo. The plantation produces high-quality organic robusta coffee beans every year and all visitors are welcome to tour and learn all about the coffee growing and harvesting process.

The stunning resort is situated on a hill with a breathtaking panoramic view of 8 volcanoes. One's first impression of Losari will be of living in an old Javanese coffee plantation.

Accommodation offers 18 luxury Villas featuring from one up to five-bedroom options that make a total of 26 bedrooms.

The Club House, an original 1928 plantation manor house, completely restored and furnished with Javanese antiques and paintings, library, and music room. High Tea is served on its sprawling verandas every afternoon.

The Hamam is an authentic Turkish bath, where separate facilities for gentlemen and ladies allow guests to take advantage of the relief provided by a natural essential oil massage after an invigorating scrub and a wide variety of traditional spa treatments developed in Javanese Royal Palaces. www.losaricoffeeplantation.com