Surakarta coffee shop sparks debate by removing americano from menu
Thekabarnews.com—The Surakarta coffee shop has said that it will stop selling the popular Americano coffee in March 2026. Titilaras Coffee Shop made the choice. The café said it was in line with...
Thekabarnews.com—The Surakarta coffee shop has said that it will stop selling the popular Americano coffee in March 2026. Titilaras Coffee Shop made the choice. The café said it was in line with their views on the ongoing political difficulties in the Middle East. They believe these difficulties have affected global coffee supply chains and trade relations. As a result, the situation has led to increased prices and reduced availability of certain coffee varieties.
The owner of the café, Arkha Tri Maryanto, made the announcement on the coffee shop’s official Instagram account on March 1, 2026. A few days later, Arkha told local journalists at the café’s site in the Baluwarti neighborhood of Surakarta. He stated that the move was his personal response to what was happening in the world of politics.
He stated that he made the decision during a period of escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran.
“We are sick of the problems that keep happening,” Arkha remarked. He went on to say that the café intended to make a statement with its menu choices.
Arkha also talked about the drink’s history. According to reports, the drink came about during World War II when American soldiers in Europe mixed espresso with hot water. The blending was done to make it taste more like the coffee they were used to drinking at home.
People in Italy first adopted the word “Americano” as a joke about how the soldiers liked weaker coffee. Over time, though, the name grew well-known. Now it is a coffee menu item that people all over the world know about.
“We are sick of what is going on,” Arkha said. He then said that the café wanted to make a point with the food it served.
He asked why Indonesian cafés still employ drink names that are connected to foreign national identities. This is noteworthy because Indonesia is one of the biggest coffee-producing countries in the world.
As a result, Titilaras Coffee Shop decided to replace the Americano with a newly named drink. Arkha said that the café modified both the name and the way it brewed coffee. The change was done to fit with a more locally inspired idea.
He said that the names of dishes on a menu can have deeper meanings. He says that when a country’s name comes up a lot in common things like food and drinks, it might indirectly strengthen the country’s identity and power. The result can create a sense of pride and connection among the local community and consumers.
Arkha also said that a few café proprietors have personally approached him since the announcement. Some people said they would like to make similar improvements to their menus.
He liked the talks and said that the project might make people think more deeply about the names and cultural references they usually accept without thinking.
Although the move remains largely symbolic, the decision made by Titilaras Coffee Shop has sparked discussions among coffee lovers and business owners. These discussions are about cultural identity, branding, and how everyday choices reflect broader social values.
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