{"id":8558,"date":"2026-01-19T10:19:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T02:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blue-forests.org\/?p=8558"},"modified":"2026-01-19T10:19:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T02:19:26","slug":"jeruju-hope-for-an-alternative-blue-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blue-forests.org\/en\/jeruju-hope-for-an-alternative-blue-economy\/newsroom\/story-from-the-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeruju, Hope for an Alternative Blue Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Figure 1. Jeruju (Acanthus sp), a type of mangrove used to make Jeruju tea \u2013 (Blue Forests)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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For some coastal communities, relying solely on marine resources is no longer sufficient. Increasingly unpredictable fishing seasons have led to unstable daily incomes, forcing communities to seek alternative livelihoods beyond marine resources. Recently, an initiative has emerged from a group of coastal women who have begun processing, packaging, and marketing products made from jeruju leaves (Acanthus sp.). Mangrove plants, which are often considered nothing more than a pile of shrubs, are now being used to make herbal tea known as Teh Jeruju.<\/div>\n
Figure 2. Mrs. Palatiyah, Jeruju Tea Processor \u2013 (Marini Binti Muliady)<\/div>\n
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Jeruju is a type of mangrove that has long been known by the community as a medicinal plant. Its leaves are believed to help treat health problems such as diabetes and hypertension. This potential has become a new economic opportunity for coastal communities, especially in areas with greater access to mangrove resources.<\/div>\n
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By processing jeruju leaves into herbal tea, the community not only adds value to natural resources but also contributes to the development of the blue economy, a development approach that combines economic benefits with the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. This approach emphasizes the sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically valuable use of coastal resources. This initiative opens new business opportunities while promoting the conservation of mangrove ecosystems, the mainstay of coastal life.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In several villages supported by the Blue Forest Foundation, the use of jeruju leaves is facilitated through Field School activities, such as in Muna Regency and the Kuri Caddi Hamlet in Maros Regency. Participants are not only taught how to pick and dry jeruju leaves, but are also guided through the final stage of packaging them into ready-to-brew tea products that are suitable for sale. Through this process, the community acquires new skills while paving the way for sustainable businesses based on local potential.<\/div>\n
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One example of good jeruju processing practices comes from Gunung Keruing Hamlet, Batu Ampar Village, Kubu Raya District. This area has a vast mangrove ecosystem and is the natural habitat of the jeruju plant. Since 2021, several residents have been utilizing jeruju leaves to make herbal drinks for household needs.<\/div>\n
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Seeing this potential, in 2022, the Blue Forest Foundation, with support from the Blue Action Fund and Blue Ventures, assisted in the formation of the Teh Jeruju Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS). From here, the development of Jeruju tea products began to be developed in a more organized manner, with a touch of innovation and modern management. Jeruju leaves, originally used only to make homemade drinks, were later transformed into Jeruju tea products ready to compete in the local market and have even been featured in national exhibitions and festivals.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAt first, I did the promotion myself, while taking my children to and from school, and offering it to my neighbors. They said that after drinking Teh Jeruju, they could urinate more easily,\u201d said Mrs. Palatiyah, a Teh Jeruju processor.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Figure 3. Dried Jeruju leaves \u2013 (Marini Binti Muliady)<\/div>\n
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This business group consists of local farmers and artisans who work together from harvesting jeruju to processing and marketing the products. In practice, they adhere to the principles of sustainable management by selectively picking leaves so that the jeruju plants continue to grow and the mangrove ecosystem is preserved. Awareness of the importance of nature conservation is part of the values they uphold, because jeruju is only a small part of the mangrove ecosystem, which plays an important role in protecting the coast from abrasion and supporting biodiversity.<\/div>\n
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The product development process is not merely about turning mangrove leaves into tea, but also an educational effort to increase public understanding of the added value of their natural resources. Through mentoring, the community gains knowledge of processing standards, packaging, and effective marketing strategies, thereby changing their perspective on mangrove plants.<\/div>\n
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Figure 4. Jeruju Tea Packaging \u2013 (Blue Forests)<\/div>\n
The impact is clearly visible in the development of jeruju tea distribution channels. Whereas previously this product was only marketed door-to-door or through personal networks, its marketing has now expanded to a wider local market. In fact, jeruju tea has now reached a more modern market, being served as one of the beverage options at coffee shops in Pontianak. The development of jeruju tea products shows that local mangrove-based products also have strong commercial appeal.<\/div>\n
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Pouring Coffee, a coffee shop in Pontianak known for its flavor experiments and beverage innovations, has also been part of the journey to develop jeruju tea. Through a process of curation and product testing, two jeruju tea-based beverage menu items were created: Noir and Eclipse. These creations are a combination of local resources, namely jeruju tea with kelulut honey and mangrove honey.<\/div>\n
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Increased brand awareness has made jeruju tea’s presence, amid the dominance of coffee products, raise public awareness of other local products. This certainly elevates the image of mangroves from mere coastal forests to valuable raw materials for gourmet products. In addition, this initiative has a positive social impact by opening more opportunities for women to work and contribute to household welfare.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe usually harvest every four months because the location where we pick Jeruju leaves is quite far away. When there are many orders, and we don’t have time to harvest ourselves, someone helps us harvest. But sales are much smoother now. In the past, it took three months to sell a kilo, but now it takes only a month,\u201d continued Mrs. Palatiyah.<\/div>\n
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However, these challenges have strengthened the awareness that preserving the health of the mangrove ecosystem is key to the sustainability of jeruju tea. Therefore, mangrove conservation efforts, ranging from protection and sustainable use to public education, have become an important part of this business process. This approach not only ensures sustainable production, but also provides long-term benefits for communities that depend on coastal ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Written by: Marini Binti Muliady<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Figure 1. Jeruju (Acanthus sp), a type of mangrove used to make Jeruju tea \u2013 (Blue Forests) For some coastal communities, relying solely on marine resources is no longer sufficient. Increasingly unpredictable fishing seasons have led to unstable daily incomes, forcing 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