DENPASAR, Bali — In a revelation that blends traditional folk remedy with a distinctly Balinese twist, Governor Wayan Koster has publicly detailed his daily ritual of drinking coffee mixed with locally distilled arak spirit, claiming it is the solution to his acid reflux.
The two-term governor, who has championed the island’s cultural heritage, shared the anecdote on Saturday at a local Denpasar coffee shop, Tan-Panama. He attributes the knowledge of this potent mixture to the communities in Karangasem, a region on Bali’s eastern coast famed for its traditional arak production.
“I received this knowledge from the people in Karangasem—that if coffee is mixed with arak, it becomes neutral. I have proven it,” Governor Koster stated. He explained that drinking coffee alone aggravates his stomach acid, but the combination with arak prevents the discomfort.
The practice has become a strict part of his daily regimen. “Every day, morning arak-coffee, noon arak-coffee, evening arak-coffee. That’s the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for my daily routine. It tastes good, the acid doesn’t rise. So it’s healthy,” he added with a smile, asserting he has experienced no adverse health effects from the regular consumption of the caffeinated-alcoholic blend.
The governor’s visit to the café was part of a wider, more public gesture. In celebration of Tumpek Krulut, a Balinese Hindu holy day dedicated to affection, he treated residents to free coffee and babi guling (suckling pig) at three locations across Denpasar.
At Tan-Panama Coffee, he mingled with young locals enjoying the complimentary drinks. He explained the dual nature of the day’s observances: the spiritual (niskala) aspect involved prayers at Pura Candi Narmada, while the physical (sekala) celebration was about community connection over shared food and drink.
“Tumpek Krulut is conducted in both the niskala and sekala realms,” Koster said. “The sekala activity involves meeting young people, having coffee together at Jenar Kopi and Tan-Panama, and then continuing to Babi Guling Men Wenci.”
While the governor’s personal health hack offers an unconventional glimpse into local customs, his public treat underscored a traditional Balinese principle: that spiritual observance and communal harmony are often nurtured through simple acts of sharing a meal—or a uniquely prepared cup of coffee.
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