Brewing Dreams in Brunei: Inside the Brunei Coffee Collective’s Quest to Craft a Coffee Culture

In recent years, Brunei Darussalam, nation on the island of Borneo has witnessed a quiet revolution in its coffee culture. At the heart of this change stands the Brunei Coffee Collective, a passionate community of roasters, café owners, and coffee lovers dedicated to elevating the local coffee scene. 

image by Brunei Coffee Collective

Founded in 2023, the Collective has already made waves by representing Brunei in the ASEAN Barista Team Championship and organizing local events that draw international figures. As the specialty coffee scene in Brunei gains momentum, the Brunei Coffee Collective is shaping the future of coffee culture, one cup at a time. In HUDES interview, Firdaus from Brunei Coffee Collective share insights on the trends, challenges, and ambitions driving Brunei’s coffee evolution.

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In Brunei, coffee culture is still in its early stages, but Firdaus, one of the founders of the Brunei Coffee Collective, believes the country is ready to embrace specialty coffee.

Firdaus and his team, a small but determined group of coffee lovers, roasters, and cafe owners, are driven by the shared vision of turning Brunei into a place where quality coffee isn’t just appreciated but celebrated. 

Through events, workshops, and the sheer excitement of building something new, the Collective is working to change how Bruneians experience their daily brew.

“We started the idea for the Collective last year, in 2023,” Firdaus explains, “when we decided to come together and compete in the ASEAN Barista Team Championship in Manila.

It was the first time Brunei was represented in a regional competition, and it felt like a huge step forward for all of us.” That experience not only solidified their bond but sparked the idea for the Brunei Coffee Collective, which has since become a hub for local coffee enthusiasts looking to connect and learn.

Today, the Collective is still working on gaining official recognition from the government, but this hasn’t stopped Firdaus and his fellow members from hosting events like latte art throwdowns, brewing competitions, and even cup-tasting challenges. 

One of their proudest moments? Bringing Jack Simpson, the #2 World Barista Champion, to Brunei for the Big BWN Coffee Convention on October 6. 

“Seeing someone of Jack’s caliber here was incredible for us,” Firdaus says with a smile. “It shows that the Brunei coffee scene is catching the attention of the global coffee community.”

According to Firdaus, Brunei’s coffee scene has truly come to life since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. “A lot of people bought coffee machines during the pandemic, and many of them have since turned their passion into home-based coffee businesses,” he shares. 

An Instagram account run by a local enthusiast currently tracks over 270 coffee places across the country, including commercial cafes, home setups, and even coffee carts on wheels. 

For a nation of just 400,000 people, Firdaus points out, this is a big number, reflecting how quickly the culture around coffee is growing.

And this growth isn’t limited to just the number of cafes. Firdaus explains that new job opportunities are cropping up, along with exciting collaborations between businesses. The seventh edition of the Big BWN Coffee Convention, for example, saw the Brunei Coffee Collective working closely with Indera Motors, the local franchise for Jaguar and Range Rover. “It’s a unique blend of coffee and car culture,” Firdaus laughs, “but it works! Events like these open up new possibilities and make coffee more accessible to people who might not yet be part of the community.”

The Quest for Brunei’s Own Coffee Origin

One of the challenges Brunei faces in cultivating a distinct coffee identity is its lack of locally grown beans. As Firdaus explains, “We’re not a coffee-producing country, so we don’t have a ‘Brunei’ single-origin coffee to share with the world.” 

There is, however, a small farm in Labi, a village about an hour’s drive from the capital, where coffee has been cultivated for two generations. The farm initially experimented with Arabica, but given Brunei’s tropical climate, they have since shifted to Liberica, a variety better suited to local conditions. 

“The farm is still far from producing specialty-grade beans,” Firdaus admits, “but it’s something, and it keeps the dream of a Bruneian origin alive.”

For now, Brunei’s cafes source their beans from countries like Indonesia, providing customers with rich, complex flavors from high-quality single-origin beans. “We’re always looking for the best beans we can find,” Firdaus says, “because the interest in specialty coffee here is real.”

Local Coffee Trends with a Global Influence

When it comes to drink preferences, Brunei’s coffee culture shows some unique twists. “Bruneians love their sweet milk coffees,” Firdaus says, “especially iced versions that suit our warm climate.

” According to a recent survey conducted by the Collective, the most popular espresso-based drinks in Brunei are the Flat White and the Spanish Latte, a sweet, creamy concoction that blends traditional and modern coffee flavors. 

Firdaus sees the Spanish Latte’s popularity as a sign that Brunei’s coffee drinkers are starting to embrace specialty coffee in their own way, blending it with familiar tastes.

Traditional black coffee still holds its ground, particularly among older Bruneians who frequent local kopitiams, traditional coffee shops that serve strong, no-nonsense brews. But with the rise of specialty cafes, more people are expanding their palates, experimenting with everything from espresso-based drinks to manual brews.

The Rise of Filter Coffee in Brunei

An exciting new trend among Brunei’s coffee aficionados is the growing appreciation for filter coffee. “Filter coffee is becoming more popular in the specialty community here,” Firdaus notes. 

The Collective has organized brewing competitions that allow both professional and home-based brewers to showcase their skills. “The V60 is definitely the go-to for most of the community,” Firdaus says, referring to the popular pour-over method. “But we also have people experimenting with other tools like the Cafec Flower and the UFO dripper.”

While filter coffee remains a niche choice compared to espresso-based drinks, Firdaus sees it gaining a dedicated following, especially among those who value the unique flavors and textures that different beans and brewing techniques can offer. “It’s interesting to see natural and washed beans making a comeback,” he adds. “People are beginning to appreciate the simplicity and purity of these processes.”

For Firdaus and the rest of the Brunei Coffee Collective, the journey isn’t just about brewing better coffee; it’s about creating a community where people feel inspired to learn and grow. 

Looking to the future, the Collective plans to expand its offerings with educational programs judging workshops, origin trips, and masterclasses in various coffee specialties are all on the horizon. “We want to give people the skills and knowledge to really appreciate what goes into a great cup of coffee,” Firdaus says. “It’s not just for baristas; we want everyone to feel welcome, from café owners to home brewers.”

Firdaus dreams of a Brunei where coffee culture is woven into the fabric of everyday life, where people don’t just drink coffee but savor it, understand it, and share it with others. In a country where specialty coffee is still finding its roots, the Brunei Coffee Collective reminds us that even the smallest places can nurture big ideas and sometimes, all it takes is a shared love for something as simple as coffee.