Tag Archive for: clove

DAJUMA EXPERIENCES: CLOVE HARVEST 

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Clove harvesting at Pancak Tirtha in Jembrana, Bali, with Dajuma guests is a unique and memorable experience that combines the beauty of nature, local farming practices and cultural immersion. Located in the scenic area of Jembrana, Pancak Tirtha is not only a popular lunch spot but also a place where guests can witness and participate in the traditional clove harvesting process.

When guests arrive at Pancak Tirtha, they are greeted by the owner, Pak Ming, known for his expertise in growing cloves. With his warm smile and genuine hospitality, Pak Ming welcomes Dajuma guests, sharing his knowledge and passion for growing cloves.

The lush greenery surrounding Pancak Tirtha creates a breathtaking backdrop as Pak Ming leads guests to the clove plantation. The air is filled with the invigorating aroma of cloves, setting the stage for an immersive experience in the heart of Jembrana’s agricultural landscape.

Amid vibrant clove trees, Pak Ming explains the importance of harvesting cloves in Jembrana and the meticulous care needed to ensure a successful yield. He shares information about the life cycle of clove trees, their unique characteristics, and ideal growing conditions.

As guests explore the plantation, they have the opportunity to observe the clove trees in different stages of development. Some trees are adorned with beautiful white and pink flowers, while others are abundant with ripe cloves ready to harvest.

With the gentle guidance of Pak Ming, Dajuma guests are invited to partake in the centuries-old tradition of “Ngepik Cengkeh”, which involves separating cloves from the stems. Armed with nimble fingers, guests carefully pick the cloves, experiencing firsthand the delicate nature of the harvesting process.

Pak Ming shares stories of the challenges and joys of growing cloves in Jembrana. He explains that the current season might not be as abundant as expected due to certain factors, such as weather conditions or natural variations in tree productivity. Nonetheless, he stresses the importance of appreciating small harvests and the resilience of local farmers.

As guests actively engage in clove harvesting, their connection to the land and the local community deepens. They gain a new appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to bring this aromatic spice from farm to table.

After the successful harvest, Pak Ming brings the guests together for a moment of reflection and gratitude. He expresses his gratitude for their participation and offers them a thoughtful gift: a selection of freshly harvested cloves as a souvenir. This gesture serves as a reminder of the shared experience and bonds formed through this immersive journey into Jembrana’s clove culture.

The day ends with a delicious lunch at Pancak Tirtha, where guests savor the flavors of local cuisine infused with the aromatic essence of cloves. The meal becomes a celebration of the harvest, a feast of community and connection, where stories and laughter are shared.

Harvesting cloves at Pancak Tirtha in Jembrana, Bali with Dajuma guests is not just an agricultural activity, but a gateway to cultural exploration and appreciation. It promotes a deeper understanding of local traditions, the beauty of nature and the interconnectedness between communities and their environment. It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression, weaving together the scents, flavors and memories of Jembrana’s clove harvest into the fabric of each guest’s journey.

CLOVE SEASON IN JEMBRANA

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Now in Jembrana, the West Bali regency where Dajuma is situated, is the season of the cloves. The villagers of Pekutatan sub district (mostly the villages in the mountain such as Asahduren, Manggis Sari & Bunut Bolong) are very busy with their harvesting. On one of the picture is the “Banggul” traditional bamboo ladder that the farmer use to pick the cloves. Almost in each house the people are drying the cloves. When our guests cross the villages they can not miss the inimitable smell of cloves. They are always excited to discover this so spectacular harvest through our activities: Pekutatan Eco Tourism tour, Secret Waterfall, or Cycling around Dajuma. Welcome!

Good harvest this year for clove and cacao in Pekutatan

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Clove and Cacao’s harvests have been particularly good this year in Pekutatan. Together with rice, vegetable, coffee and  fruit,  the clove and cacao plantations are well developped in this part of the island. The farmers proceed with the harvest of the clove once a year and twice for the cacao. They extract the clove and the cacao beans and make them drying in the sun before sending them to Java where the cacao beans are roasted and exported.
On the picture some clove and cacao beans drying in Pekutatan village, nearby Dajuma. The farmer also collects waste from the village for recycling.

Where does the chocolate come from?

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Dajuma is located next door the Pulukan State Plantation of 1180 ha where a lot of flora species such as coconut, rubber and clove trees, cocoa and vanilla plants, banana flowers are grown up by local and skilled farmers.
For western kids, the way these species are grown is just mysterious. For example who knows that peanuts grow underground ? Or that vanilla is a variety of orchid ?
And what about chocolate ? Where does it come from ?
One of our guests, Rev Martin Bieler, was shown on one of our tours a fresh open cocoa pod and decided to bring back two pods to Switzerland, to a local school where the children had been learning for some time about the origin and the production of chocolate. Now they finally got hold of two real  cocoa pods! From the original fruit brought back by Martin, it was explained step by step  to the children how to extract cocoa beans from the fruit, how to dry and roast before grinding and mixing them with a little fat to finally get the delicious chocolate which delights our palates.
What’s an experience for them!