ROSELLE, GROWN AMONG MANY

– From the farms of Central Kalimantan to our Roselle Sangria –

Our Roselle Sangria is made with roselle from YUM Organic Farm, slowly infused with grape, strawberry, and orange, then rounded out with honey. The fruit used for the infusion stays in the glass, so the flavour continues through the last sip.

But there is more to this little red flower than what ends up in your glass.

The roselle we use comes from YUM’s work in Bukit Batu, Central Kalimantan, where they are exploring a different way of growing food.

– Growing more than one thing –

YUM Organic Farm is a social enterprise owned by the local nonprofit Yayasan Usaha Mulia. Since 2018, YUM has been developing an agroforestry model on its own land in Bukit Batu.

Instead of growing a single crop across the land, agroforestry brings different plants together. Trees, fruit, vegetables, and other crops can grow alongside one another, creating a more diverse farming system.

YUM’s original 1.5-hectare pilot plot was developed on sandy, acidic land. Over time, the project has become a model for how diverse crops can be grown together while supporting soil fertility, biodiversity, food security, and local livelihoods.

The idea is simple, but changing the way people farm takes time.

YUM works with smallholder farmers in the area through training, technical support, and knowledge sharing, helping them explore agroforestry as an alternative to monoculture farming. Their more recent pilot has supported farmers in putting these ideas into practice on their own land.

– Where roselle comes in –

Roselle is one of the many crops being explored through this work.

Its bright red calyces can be used in different ways.
YUM has experimented with turning roselle into tea, syrup, jam, and preserved flowers,

extending its shelf life and creating different possibilities to contribute to a farmer’s income.

This matters because growing a crop is only one part of building a sustainable livelihood.

Farmers also need somewhere to sell what they grow, and a fair price for their work.

YUM’s agroforestry initiative therefore looks beyond farming itself.
Alongside training and technical support, the project is working to connect farmers with markets and develop ways for agricultural products to create additional value within the community.

– The story behind our Roselle Sangria –

This is where our Roselle Sangria comes from.

It is a simple drink, but behind it is a much longer story.

A flower grown in Central Kalimantan.

Farmers learning and experimenting with more diverse ways of growing.

YUM is working to create more opportunities for agricultural products.

And finally, that roselle finding its way to our table.

We don’t see this as the end of the story.

We hope it can be one small connection in a much bigger one, between the land, the people who care for it, and the people who get to enjoy what it produces.

Read the full story of YUM’s project here: https://www.yumindonesia.org/our-work/agroforestry