RAISING THE BAR: Entrepreneur to convince others of its bright future
TO produce a good cup of kopi O, connoisseur Yap Cheen Boon adds two extra ingredients -- pride and passion.
Born and raised in a family of coffee producers, Yap is looking into taking the industry to a new level here. For over a decade, the entrepreneur has introduced new ideas, from blending different beans to opening mobile stalls and setting up a barista training school.
Yap also introduced tours for visitors to his coffee plant or stalls to get an insight into the business.
Recently, he began tinkering with the idea of planting Liberica beans, known for its unique taste, to be added to his coffee products.
Globally, there are three types of coffee planted commercially: Liberica, Arabica and Robusta.
Robusta has long been the choice of many in Sabah, especially in the coffee heartland of Tenom.But Yap, a barista, has other ideas.
He will plant Liberica coffee beans in Ranau next year on a 20ha plot, with hopes of convincing others of its potential.
"Sabah could become a major producer of Liberica beans and prove to be a source of income for many planters.
"Oil palm is the key revenue-generating crop in Sabah but the state needs to diversify to ensure a more sustainable economy."
Yap said he saw the potential in Liberica beans as he claimed it gave a cup of coffee that extra "kaw" (strength) many sought.
"People in Sabah drink strong coffee to satiate their palate.
"Liberica has a stronger taste compared with Robusta and Arabica beans."
Yap, who owns the Cap Kuda brand of coffee and sells kopi O using espresso machines, has also launched another project.
"This is a coffee outlet with the brand name Santola Bar Cafe, which features a good cup of kopi O and gourmet coffee made by baristas." He runs two such outlets and has begun producing products using Liberica coffee.
Santola general manager Jessica Paulinus said a third branch was expected to open soon, as both the present outlets were popular with tourists.
The first outlet was set up in an industrial area and earned its reputation by word of mouth among patrons.
"Tour operators bring their clients to our outlets for a unique experience of Sabah coffee with a strong hint of gourmet quality," she said.
The third branch will be set up in Gaya Street, famous for its Sunday fair among locals and tourists.
TO produce a good cup of kopi O, connoisseur Yap Cheen Boon adds two extra ingredients -- pride and passion.
Born and raised in a family of coffee producers, Yap is looking into taking the industry to a new level here. For over a decade, the entrepreneur has introduced new ideas, from blending different beans to opening mobile stalls and setting up a barista training school.
Yap also introduced tours for visitors to his coffee plant or stalls to get an insight into the business.
Recently, he began tinkering with the idea of planting Liberica beans, known for its unique taste, to be added to his coffee products.
Globally, there are three types of coffee planted commercially: Liberica, Arabica and Robusta.
Robusta has long been the choice of many in Sabah, especially in the coffee heartland of Tenom.But Yap, a barista, has other ideas.
He will plant Liberica coffee beans in Ranau next year on a 20ha plot, with hopes of convincing others of its potential.
"Sabah could become a major producer of Liberica beans and prove to be a source of income for many planters.
"Oil palm is the key revenue-generating crop in Sabah but the state needs to diversify to ensure a more sustainable economy."
Yap said he saw the potential in Liberica beans as he claimed it gave a cup of coffee that extra "kaw" (strength) many sought.
"People in Sabah drink strong coffee to satiate their palate.
"Liberica has a stronger taste compared with Robusta and Arabica beans."
Yap, who owns the Cap Kuda brand of coffee and sells kopi O using espresso machines, has also launched another project.
"This is a coffee outlet with the brand name Santola Bar Cafe, which features a good cup of kopi O and gourmet coffee made by baristas." He runs two such outlets and has begun producing products using Liberica coffee.
Santola general manager Jessica Paulinus said a third branch was expected to open soon, as both the present outlets were popular with tourists.
The first outlet was set up in an industrial area and earned its reputation by word of mouth among patrons.
"Tour operators bring their clients to our outlets for a unique experience of Sabah coffee with a strong hint of gourmet quality," she said.
The third branch will be set up in Gaya Street, famous for its Sunday fair among locals and tourists.
Read More on similar story: A coffee tour at his plant.
Comments
Post a Comment