Portrait of Koro Roasters founder Alain Scialoja
7 min read
From Robotics to Roasting: Why I Left Tech for Indonesian Coffee

Ten years ago, I was hosting back-to-back online meetings, building tech products that impressed corporate boards but never touched real lives. Today, I'm sitting cross-legged on woven mats with farmers in Indonesia, creating something that brings joy to people's mornings worldwide. This isn't just another tech-to-passion career pivot story—it's about discovering that the most advanced coffee culture in the world isn't in Melbourne's laneways or Berlin's third-wave cafés, but right here in Indonesia, where farmers and roasters collaborate at the same table, revolutionizing what specialty coffee can be.

A weathered hand holding freshly picked red and yellow coffee cherries
9 min read
Giling Basah: The Indonesian Coffee Tradition That Changed Everything

Giling basah, Indonesia's revolutionary wet hull process, transforms necessity into art. Born in 1970s Aceh, this method removes parchment at 30-50% moisture—flipping traditional coffee processing completely.

From Sumatra's famous "Mandheling" with its syrupy body and cedar notes to Flores' emerging forest coffees, wet hulling creates Indonesia's signature jade-blue beans. Once misunderstood, today's wet-hulled coffees score 85+ in competitions.

Discover how JYN Coffee's Bajawa forest coffee represents wet hull's evolution—ancient forests meeting modern innovation. This Independence Day, taste how Indonesian farmers turned practical solutions into world-class specialty coffee.

This Week in Coffee #4: an anatomical figure with the heart highlighted, coffee being poured into a cup, and a poster for the 2025 Indonesia Barista and Brewers Cup Championship
3 min read
This Week in Coffee #4, January 19th

Koro Coffee News Roundup: January 17, 2025 Welcome to Koro Coffee News for January 17, 2025! Grab your favorite brew...

This Year in Coffee #3: a signing ceremony, a speaker addressing an audience, and a bar chart of ready-to-drink coffee sales volume from 2019 to 2024
4 min read
This Year in Coffee #3, Year 2024
In a year that tested the resilience of the global coffee industry, Indonesia emerged as a shining star. From record-breaking production increases to world-class barista championships, 2024 has been a landmark year for Indonesian coffee.

[Continue reading to discover more about Indonesia's coffee triumphs in 2024...]
Close-up of ripe yellow bourbon coffee cherries on the branch
5 min read
Yellow Bourbon Coffee: The Golden Gem of Specialty Coffee
Discover the unique charm of Yellow Bourbon coffee, a rare Arabica variety that's making waves in the coffee world. From its intriguing origins to its distinct flavor profile, learn why coffee enthusiasts can't stop talking about Yellow Bourbon. Explore Koro's special offerings from Colombia and East Java, and embark on a flavorful journey unlike any other.