Could their business go up in smoke?
Coffee shop owners in certain parts of Malaysia are up in arms over a the potential introduction of a smoking ban, saying that they’ll lose large amounts of revenue as customers will head elsewhere for their caffeine and pastry fix.
The Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association’s (PJCA) secretary, Keu Kok Meng, is one such outspoken critic of this proposal: “Smoking in coffee shops has come part of Malaysian culture. On many occasions, we see people going to coffee shops, not to have a drink, but to smoke.”
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Taxing customers in Malaysian coffee shops
The Malaysian state of Sarawak, one of two on the island of Borneo, has recently adopted a new Goods and Service Tax, which has seen the cost of a number of products rise in recent weeks. However media reports suggest that this tax is being used as a front by some rather devious coffee shop owners to, illegally, boost their revenues.
Fortunately though, most proprietors haven’t upped prices of their coffee menus. But the actions of a minority have drawn the ire of high ranking Malaysian officials.
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3 arrested for hiding drugs in packs of coffee
Malaysian Police in Sibu believe that they have uncovered and dealt a blow to a complex drugs trafficking syndicate with the arrest of three men earlier this week. It is alleged that the locals, all under the age of twenty, were using instant coffee sachets and packets to transport ecstasy and ketamine around the country.
“The packets were opened and resealed after the powder was mixed with the instant coffee mixture,” said Martin Koo, the Deputy Chief of Police.
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Sabah to host coffee festival and record attempt
Today’s story comes from Malaysia, a country which as we well know is becoming a lucrative market for those looking to expand in Southeast Asia. However this tale does not revolve around foreign chains seeking revenue; instead it is about a domestic-based company that wants to break a record and help promote and enhance the fortunes of those around them.
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Durian coffee?
The durian is a notorious fruit.
Widely recognised in its native Southeast Asia as being the “King of Fruits”, the famed nineteenth century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace once described the flesh beneath the husk as being like rich custard, highly flavoured with almonds.” However to get to its innards, people must navigate its thorn-covered shell and a repugnant odour that has been described as being sewage-like.
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Malaysian man dies after drinking banned coffee
A thirty-six year-old Malaysian man died last week after knowingly drinking a variety of coffee that had been banned by state officials.
He had purchased the drink from a shop in the suburb of Subang for RM5 ($1.5, 90p)
“He knew it was dangerous. But, he did not listen,” said his wife, only known as Ella, to the Harian Metro.
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Illegal instant coffee shipment seized in Malaysia
After it emerged last week that you might be drinking twigs, dirt and other bits and bobs with your coffee every morning, it turns out that there is indeed a very real risk of buying fake coffee.
Over the weekend the Malaysian Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has shut down an operation that was distributing fake instant coffee in South East Asia.
According to reports emanating from the Malaysian press, the ministry’s enforcement chief, Suhami Mat Sari, announced that around 40,000 sachets of imitation Tongkat Ali coffee (which features an alluring and inviting hint of ginseng, so we’ve been told) from a number of premises late on Friday.
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Nescafe’s Malaysian dominance, will it wane?
We are in the midst of a veritable cannonade of coffee. But that phenomena is not just occurring on our shores, many countries the world over are enjoying all the merits that coffee, and the culture associated with it, has to offer.
It might seem strange on reflection that many nations have their roots in the tea industry and have been turned. One such example is Britain, but another one is Malaysia.
Malaysia has been a traditional tea-drinking nation but the coffee culture over in south-east Asia is currently booming as the beverage is gaining traction amongst professionals and the younger sections of society.
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More Allure for Malaysian White Coffee
In the race amongst coffee producers across the globe to introduce innovative and fashionable new drinks, Ipoh, the Malaysian capital city of Perak, joins the pursuit for the next big thing within the world of coffee.
Local residents of the capital have created their own brand of coffee, an aptly-named White Coffee, the pure and intense aroma of which have been luring many people to the city.
Ho Seong Hoey, the producer of the new white coffee, said that its taste is multi-faceted, with many distinctly different layers. Usually combined with condensed milk to give it a smooth mouthfeel, the coffee is also thick and aromatic.
Seong Hoey is the managing director of a coffee outlet called Home’s Cafe, which is apparently one of the longest-standing white coffee specialists in Ipoh with nearly 50 years experience within the industry.
Building on the success its white coffee has generated in its home market, the company has started producing instant white coffee to cater for numerous export markets. Home’s Cafe has chosen to concentrate on soluble coffee for its external clients due to its longer, two year shelf-life. Exporting to markets such as the US can take up to two months, so a product’s longevity is of considerable importance in giving enough of a timeframe for consumers to enjoy the coffee.
In other coffee news, Tanzania has been chosen to host the 8th African Fine Coffee Conference, to be attended by international traders, roasting companies as well as industry professionals and experts. Facilitated by the Eastern African Fine Coffees Association, the event will take place on 17-19 February 2011.
Photo by: Nguyễn Thành Lam