She’s Never Left Lombok, But She’s Brewing the World in Every Cup

North Lombok, a hidden gem of West Nusa Tenggara, offers a rare blend of raw natural beauty and authentic local life. Unlike its more touristic southern counterparts, North Lombok feels untouched. Home to lush green hills, waterfalls, traditional Sasak villages, and a serene coastline that looks out toward the Gili Islands. 

ZIARA - Hasa Coffee barista | photo by Hasa Coffee doc.

The region’s charm lies in its simplicity: warm-hearted people, slow-paced living, and a deep cultural heritage that remains intact. From the cool mountain air of Senaru at the foot of Mount Rinjani to the quiet coastal roads of Pemenang, North Lombok invites travelers to slow down, connect with the land, and experience Indonesia.

HUDES | Worldwide Digital Magazine for Manual Coffee Brewers

In a town where the sea meets the mountains, and motorbikes hum past quiet streets, there’s a little café tucked into the center of Pemenang, North Lombok. It's called Hasa Coffee. Small, cozy space where cups are filled not just with rich brews, but with warm stories. And if you’ve been there, chances are you’ve met Ziara.

Zia hasn’t traveled far. In fact, she’s never left her hometown. Yet somehow, she’s learned about the world. Its cultures, its flavors, its people, from a place just behind the counter.

A Local Girl, A Global Lens

Zia was born and raised in Pemenang. Her life here has always been simple, she lives with her mother and older brother, sharing responsibilities and quiet joy as a family. When she joined Hasa Coffee over two years ago, she had no experience. What she had instead was curiosity.

“I didn’t really plan to become a barista,” she admits. “But the café owner gave me a chance, and I just kept learning. One step at a time.”

The café became her classroom. At first, it was all about technique like grinding, tamping, steaming. But soon, another kind of education began. Travelers started walking through the door: Australians, Dutch, Germans, Japanese. People from everywhere! And with every cup of coffee, Zia asked questions, listened closely, and opened herself to the world.

“They often tell me about coffee in their countries. The styles, the habits, the flavors they miss,” she says. “I learn so much just by listening.”

Zia’s workplace may not be busy all the time, but she treasures the calm. In a big city, a barista might serve a hundred cups a day. Here, she has time to serve each one thoughtfully and to talk.

“There was a guest from the Netherlands who stayed and talked for an hour about how coffee brings people together,” she recalls. “Another one from South Korea showed me photos of cafés in Seoul. Those conversations stayed with me.”

In many ways, Hasa Coffee has become a crossroad of cultures and Zia stands at the center, connecting dots with every pour.

Locals in North Lombok still prefer their coffee tubruk-style. Strong, dark, sometimes mixed with rice or corn. But in the last few years, curiosity has started to brew. Zia often offers specialty coffee to those who’ve never tried it before, patiently explaining the taste differences and health benefits.

“Some are surprised. Some don’t like it yet. But that’s okay,” she smiles. “I think they just need time.”

And while she introduces specialty coffee to her neighbors, she also introduces local beans to her global guests. Her current favorites? Arabica from Senaru and Bayan, grown in small quantities but packed with complexity. Wow, it’s fruity, it’s clean. Some of it is anaerobically fermented, and the result is beautiful.

Last year, Zia helped her café prepare for a provincial brewing competition in Mataram using these local beans. She didn’t compete herself, but was deeply involved in the process. “It made me feel proud — to help bring our local flavors to a bigger stage.

Zia’s favorite moment? It’s not about awards or recognition. It’s the empty cup.

“If I see a guest leave nothing behind not even a drop, I know they really enjoyed it. That’s the best feeling.”

For her, coffee is a medium. A reason to meet. A way to exchange stories and kindness. And perhaps that’s what makes Zia’s journey so special, not the number of cups she’s made, but the world she’s quietly embraced with each one.

In the future, Zia hopes to open her own coffee business. A small café, where both locals and travelers feel at home. Where conversations flow as naturally as the brew. A space rooted in Lombok, but connected to the world.

Because even though she’s never boarded a plane or left her island, Zia has already traveled far, one story, one guest, and one heartfelt cup at a time. (Hudes Magazine)