Earlier than Starbucks, San Francisco Espresso, and all these fancy, fashionable cafes, there have been mamaks and kopitiams. It was at most of these roadside stalls that Azzad and Hadi started their lifelong espresso consuming behavior.

The 2 met at work, and each had IT backgrounds. As we speak, they’re nonetheless working collectively, with the primary distinction being that it’s not within the discipline they studied.

In the case of espresso tradition right this moment, folks usually consider high-end cafes that use costly espresso machines and beans, serving what is usually known as third wave espresso.

Drinks like vanilla lattes, cappuccinos and caramel macchiatos have turn out to be mainstays and even the introduction to espresso for a lot of younger Malaysians right this moment.

Nonetheless, Azzad and Hadi had grown up in kampung kopi and I used to be questioning what it might be like to start out one kampung kopi model however wearing a extra fashionable approach.

Azzad already had some expertise in F&B as his household owns a espresso stand and used to run a kampung kopi roaster in Kedah. So, within the midst of the pandemic, the companions determined to start out their very own model – Kopi Dua Darjat.

Espresso for the unassuming

To some “espresso fanatics”, kopi kampung could not look like “actual espresso”. This was one thing that Azzad and Hadi had noticed, in order that they determined to call their retailer Kopi Dua Darjat as a reference to this “double commonplace”.

For individuals who do not know, kopi kampung is often constructed from Robusta beans, that are cheaper and extra bitter in comparison with Arabica beans. In keeping with Hadi, this was extra accessible in Malaysia because of our local weather and altitude.

“Our older generations discover Robusta too bitter to drink neat, in order that they roasted the Robusta beans with sugar, margarine, and typically palm oil to make them style higher,” he described.

“All these extra substances blended collectively give the ‘kaw’ taste to kopi kampung that we can’t be capable of get from pure Arabica espresso.”

Any such espresso is also called Hainan Kopiwhich is likely to be a well-known time period to some. Kopi kampung Y Hainanese kopi it turned the premise for espresso at kopitiams, mamak stalls, and now, Kopi Dua Darjat.

At Kopi Dua Darjat, as an alternative of utilizing photographs of espresso, in style espresso drinks just like the vanilla latte are created utilizing kampung kopi.

Nonetheless, Azzad and Hadi by no means supposed to advertise Kopi Dua Darjat as a kampung kopi model. They initially used the time period as a disclaimer to let prospects know that the espresso shouldn’t be produced in espresso machines, “simply to handle your expectations.”

Looking back, it seems that the reception of kampung kopi It might have exceeded your expectations.

Unfold kampung fashion

past providing kampung-cafe-style, the duo wished to supply a kampung-style expertise.

Due to this fact, they opted for a roadside stall idea to start with.

“Inside a matter of months, a lot of our prospects took discover of the model and have become all in favour of opening some extent of sale with the identical model,” shared Hadi.

This was occurring throughout the pandemic when many had been shedding their jobs. So, Hadi and Azzad determined to present folks an opportunity to win so long as they might develop the model, a win-win scenario.

So, they began franchising, which allowed extra folks to open a Kopi Dua Darjat retailer. The corporate would provide them with the substances and preserve a small share of their earnings. It might additionally present coaching and conduct R&D for brand new menu objects.

“To make it extra inexpensive for most individuals to open a retail outlet, we stored the idea of working as roadside stalls,” Hadi mentioned.

Nonetheless, he mentioned the corporate is versatile in relation to the idea as a result of all of it comes right down to the proprietor’s capability and funds.

For instance, there’s a Kopi Dua Darjat retailer that capabilities as a everlasting kiosk within the Central Market, and there are a number of Kopi Dua Darjat meals vans in Lakefield Sungai Besi, Putrajaya, and Seremban 2.

Kopi Dua Darjat can also be making ready to open its first mall at Metro Level Kajang round November. other than the signature kampung kopi drinks, it additionally plans to enterprise into espresso-based drinks.

“Our finish sport has at all times been to open bodily kiosks or cafes all through Malaysia,” Hadi revealed. “Nonetheless, we see ourselves as a brand new firm that was not made with cash, so we imagine in taking small steps to develop the enterprise.”

By the facet of the street

As we speak, Kopi Dua Darjat has round 50 retailers in KL, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, though solely two retailers (and the subsequent mall outlet) are immediately owned by the Kopi Dua Darjat headquarters.

The primary drawback going through the group for the time being is logistics. In keeping with Hadi, there’s excessive demand throughout the nation to function Kopi Dua Darjat, however the headquarters doesn’t have the correct provide chain able to open in areas exterior of KL, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

That mentioned, the group anticipates establishing store in different states quickly, beginning with Melaka and Perak.

Hadi additionally revealed that the model could quickly launch its personal retail merchandise, corresponding to Dua Darjat flavored syrups.

“I imagine that kampung kopi It has a particular place in us Malaysians as that is the espresso most of us drank rising up,” Hadi mentioned.

Nonetheless, even those that began their espresso journey with Arabica espresso and fancy espresso machines can take pleasure in kampung kopi additionally, if the Kopi Dua Darjat enlargement is something to go by.

• Study extra about Kopi Dua Darjat right here.
• Learn different articles we have written about F&B startups right here.

Featured Picture Credit score: Kopi Dua Darjat