Indonesian homegrown brand Kenangan Coffee has finally entered the Philippine market, with its first branch located at the second level of SM Mall of Asia’s Entertainment Mall.
Kenangan Coffee is known for its premium, locally sourced beans and its signature Kenangan Latte, a creamy and smoky drink with a distinct flavor from black aren (palm sugar). To complement each cup, a variety of expertly crafted beverages and an assortment of pastries are also served.
What’s also worth noting is that billionaire rapper Jay-Z and former world number one tennis player Serena Williams have invested in the brand through their venture capital firms, Serena Ventures and Arrive.
“I had thought that Indonesia has been exporting its green beans everywhere as a commodity. I thought that Indonesian coffee can come out of Indonesia as a brand, not as a commodity,” Edward Tirtanata, chief executive officer and co-founder of Kenangan Coffee, told DAILY TRIBUNE.
Founded in August 2017, Kenangan Coffee has over 900 outlets in four countries. The brand previously outlined a goal of reaching 1,800 outlets globally by 2026 and seeks to reach 2,000 stores in its home market by 2027.
“What makes Indonesian coffee good is its complexity, especially if you’re looking for chocolatey notes. The palm sugar that we have is something very unique and is also available,” Tirtanata said.
Though many of Kenangan Coffee’s stores are designed for grab-and-go convenience, the brand is set to expand its presence across the Philippines with the Fredley Group of Companies. More branches will open in SM East Ortigas, SM Megamall, SM Bicutan, SM Baguio and SM North EDSA. The flagship store at SM Mall of Asia will soon offer an elevated café experience.