Han sources Liberica beans from his hometown Rengit.
AFTER taking over his family’s kopitiam business, Han Jun Kwang is now the third generation to carry on their coffee legacy.
The 36-year-old said he decided to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who opened the first shop in Rengit, Batu Pahat in Johor, eight decades ago.
“My grandfather started the business in 1948 and around 1979, my father took over the coffeeshop.
“I took the reins in 2012 and opened a branch in Permas Jaya, Johor Baru,” said Han.
“Today, I manage 10 outlets, nine across Johor and another in Seremban,” he said in an interview with StarMetro.
Han said growing up surrounded by the aroma of freshly roasted beans sparked his passion for coffee.
“I used to watch my father roast coffee beans and began helping him while still in school.
“I just followed his method,” said Han, who has now mastered the skills involved.
He sources Liberica beans from his hometown of Rengit, selecting each batch for quality, flavour and price.
“There are many types of coffee beans but I choose Liberica for its quality and the flavour it produces after roasting.
“I also pay attention to the price because it is seasonal and can fluctuate at any time.”
Han recalled that learning to roast coffee beans was not easy at first.
“When I started, the biggest challenge was learning how to control the heat as well as monitor the temperature inside the machine and the beans, adjusting the heat until the coffee reached the desired roast,” said Han who uses a professional coffee roaster.
Methods for roasting kopitiam-style coffee differ from cafe variety, requiring a slightly different approach to achieve the ideal flavour, he said.
Traditional coffee such as kopi O remains the bestseller at his outlets, as it brings out the most authentic taste of coffee.
Han personally roasts the coffee beans about once every two or three days, depending on demand.
He does not sell the roasted beans directly, but the coffee powder is available for sale at all outlets, giving customers a chance to brew their own cuppa at home.
