On the densely forested slopes of Petungkriyono in Pekalongan Regency, mornings arrive without urgency. Mist settles softly over the valleys, rivers flow in steady murmurs, and inside wooden kitchens, village women begin their day with quiet, deliberate work—knowledge carried forward through generations. From these hands, Wedang Srapah Petungkriyono comes into being: a drink shaped by the same forest that shelters the Javan Gibbon, the Javan Leopard, and the Javan Hawk-Eagle—endemic species that still endure within this landscape.

Wedang Srapah is a traditional spiced beverage made from pure palm sugar, born of a close relationship between Nusantara spices and the lived wisdom of forest communities. Warming ginger, grounding turmeric, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper intertwine to create a flavor that is assertive yet composed. Its gentle sweetness comes from Petungkriyono palm sugar, produced without felling sugar palm trees—an essential practice for safeguarding forest cover, protecting water sources, and preserving wildlife habitats, including that of the Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch), whose survival depends on an unbroken forest canopy.

The name Srapah is derived from Sari Rempah—the essence of spices—referring to the concentrated character drawn from carefully selected ingredients. In Javanese cultural thought, the term also echoes the value of kasaenan rinukti kanti lampah: goodness only gains meaning when it is practiced in daily life. This principle guides the women of Petungkriyono’s forest villages—working with patience, taking only what is necessary, and treating nature not as a resource to be exploited, but as a living partner. Such ways of life help sustain ecological balance, allowing the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and the Javan Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) to retain space within their ancestral habitat.

Today, Wedang Srapah is presented in a more accessible form as a spiced herbal syrup, designed for ease without compromise. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, or blended with milk or coffee, while retaining the depth and aroma of its original spices. This innovation allows the warmth of Petungkriyono to travel beyond its forested hills, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for village women—without sacrificing the forest as a sanctuary for biodiversity.

Each bottle of Wedang Srapah Syrup is more than a traditional herbal drink. It carries a story of patience, forest stewardship, and hope rooted in modest, consistent work. From the same forest where the Javan Gibbon sings at dawn and the Javan Hawk-Eagle glides above the canopy, Wedang Srapah offers a quiet reminder: rural economies and nature conservation need not stand apart. Often, meaningful change begins simply—with a warm glass, made with care.

Watch the video of the making process.

Contributors:

Meiardhy Mujianto