Page 56 - Thirst Magazine Issue No. 3 Coffee & Tea
P. 56

ZENXIN ORGANIC

                                                                    The organic park started farming in 2001 has
                                                                    since been certified by National Association
                                                                    for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA)
                                                                    and Scheme Organic Malaysia (SOM). Zenxin
                                                                    Organic Park now looks after 5 organic and 20
                                                                    contract farms in the country, which mainly
                                                                    supply vegetables to Malaysia and Singapore
                                                                    through house brand Simply Natural. Zenxin
                                                                    also source seasonal temperate crops from
                                                                    countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka,
                                                                    Australia and New Zealand.
                                                                       The business started with producing
                                                                    organic fertilizers and compost, which are still
                                                                    the main products from the farm. To maintain
                                                                    sustainability of the organic farming business,
                                                                    eco-tourism was introduced where the park
                                                                    in Kluang is open for public visits. The on-site
                                                                    restaurant provides a menu that showcases
                                                                    their fresh produce. Steamboat is a popular
                                                                    feature at the restaurant for families.
                                                                       The plantations adopt practises that
                                                                    complete the farming ecological cycle,
                                                                    creating a sustainable food production chain
                                                                    from micro-organisms to human beings. The
                                                                    same care is implemented by the contracting
                                                                    farms. 10% of each farm land is dedicated
                                                                    to wild insects and more than 100 types of
                                                                    herbs are grown in the farm in Kluang for
             Bottom:    ALLEYLAB COFFEE                             educational purposes.
             (Left) drip                                               The clay type soil in Johor allows the farm
             coffee; (right)   Owner Elvin Lee sources beans for the café   to grow dragon fruits, mulberry, passion fruit,
             orange juice   through distributors and friends who travel   coconut, guava, kasturi lime and vegetables
             infused with
             rosemary   the world seeking the best quality coffees.   such as siew pak choy, kailan, kangkong,
             reduction,   Through a worldwide coffee community,     bittergourd, cucumber and more. Find the
             served warm.  Elvin is in constant discussion about the latest   on-site and locally grown produce in the Farm
                        availabilities and movements in the coffee   Mart together with imported fresh seasonal   (Clockwise
                        market. He would taste the coffee samples   produce. Some of the goods are also available   from left)
                        before deciding if the beans are good enough   in Jusco and Aeon Supermarket nationwide.  Mulberry
                        to be served in the café. Being one of the      Plot 47 A & 47B, Batu 9, Jalan Batu Pahat,   Matcha;
                        handful who owns a roasting facility where    86000 Kluang, Johor, Malaysia.           rojak and red
                                                                                                               mulberries that
                        their previous café was located, Alleylab has                                          have yet to
                        control over the roast level and acidity of their    ZenxinOrganicPark                 fully ripen.
                        beans.
                           The café recently moved to Mount Austin.
                        The design is minimalistic with few furniture
                        and ample space. Fresh supplies of beans are
                        available monthly in the café, where Elvin
                        also conducts cupping with his team in the
                        cupping room on site in the café. On top of
                        their regular menu of slightly darker roasted
                        beans, they also have a seasonal menu that
                        showcases the latest and freshest availability
                        in the market.
                            17, Jalan Molek, 1/30,Taman Molek,
                          81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
                           AlleylabCoffeetamanmolek









             56





      FEATURE_CafeHop.indd   56                                                                                   18/9/2017   11:53:29 PM
   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61