Our Organic Farm in Ubud: The Lush, Living Heart of Taman Dukuh’s Authentic Balinese Flavors!
Step into a “gorgeous setting” where the magic of authentic Balinese cuisine truly begins its journey! Our organic farm at Taman Dukuh, Ubud, isn’t just a plot of land; it’s a vibrant, thriving ecosystem, a “tropical heaven” lovingly cultivated with ancient wisdom and modern organic principles.
This is where we grow the freshest, most flavorful Balinese ingredients for your unforgettable Ubud cooking class adventure.
As so many of our wonderful guests have shared, walking through our “beautiful garden,” learning about the diverse array of Bali’s native plants, and even “picking our own veggies” is a “fantastic experience.” It makes the farm-to-table Bali journey wonderfully real and deeply personal.
So, are you ready to explore? Come, let us show you where the authentic taste of Bali is born and nurtured, right here on our Ubud farm.
A Green Paradise in Ubud: More Than Just a Farm, It’s Our Philosophy in Action
Nestled in the serene Balinese countryside near Ubud, our organic farm is a living testament to our deep respect for nature (Palemahan, a key aspect of Tri Hita Karana) and our unwavering commitment to authentic Balinese flavors.
It’s a place where the air is fresh and invigorating, the soil is rich and alive, and every plant is nurtured with meticulous care, following traditional Balinese wisdom and sustainable organic principles. You’ll feel “immersed in nature and authenticity from the get-go.”
Here, we cultivate a diverse and exciting array of traditional Balinese spices, essential culinary herbs, exotic tropical fruits, and vibrant vegetables – the very soul of the “delicious and super aromatic” Balinese dishes you’ll learn to create.
Our farm is a living, breathing pantry, constantly offering up its precious bounty according to the rhythm of the Balinese seasons.
What We Grow on Our Bali Organic Farm: A Symphony of Balinese Flavors at Your Fingertips
A walk through our Ubud farm is like stepping into a living encyclopedia of Balinese culinary ingredients! Our “knowledgeable and friendly” team, including our Balinese cooking instructors, absolutely loves to “explain all the different produce they grow.” You’ll discover an amazing variety:
The Spice & Herb Garden: Roots of Balinese Flavor (Bumbu Bali Essentials)
This is where the “magic” of Balinese flavor profiles begins! See, smell, and even taste (when appropriate) the fresh building blocks of every authentic bumbu (Balinese spice paste):
- Rhizomes (
Bebungkilan): Fresh turmeric (kunyit), galangal (isen/lengkuas), ginger (jae), lesser galangal (kencur/cekuh) – the “guru” ingredients ofBase Genep. - Aromatic Leaves & Stalks: Lemongrass (
sereh), kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk purut), Indonesian bay leaves (daun salam), pungent Balinese basil (kemangi), and fragrant pandan leaves. - Chilies (
Cabai): A vibrant array, from the tiny but mighty bird’s eye chilies (cabai rawit) to larger, milder red chilies (lombok), essential for that signature Balinese kick.
Our Vegetable Patch (Kebun Sayur): Freshness for Your Feast
We cultivate a wonderful selection of vegetables crucial for many traditional Balinese recipes and everyday meals:
- Leafy Greens: Water spinach (
kangkung), cassava leaves (daun singkong), spinach varieties (bayem), bok coy, choi sin, Moringa, cabbage, and other local greens perfect forurapor simple stir-fries. - Beans & Legumes: Long beans (
kacang panjang), green beans (buncis), and various local peas and beans. - Fruiting Vegetables: Cucumbers (
timun), eggplants (terong– both purple and green varieties), bitter melon (pare), chayote (labu siam), tomatoes, and more.
Tropical Fruit Orchard (Kebun Buah): Bali’s Natural Sweetness & Offering Essentials
Depending on the Balinese seasons, our orchard and surrounding areas might offer:
- Coconut (kelapa), Papayas (
gedang/pepaya), many varieties of bananas (pisang– essential for both eating and offerings), passion fruit (markisa), jackfruit (nangka– young for savory dishes, ripe for sweet). - Seasonal treasures like mangosteens (
manggis), salak (snakeskin fruit), pineapple (nanas), guava (jambu biji), cocoa, and other exotic delights. These are perfect for tasting or for making delicious Balinese desserts, or for use in sacred offerings, adhering to the Sukla concept of purity.
Medicinal Plants & Flowers for Offerings (Usada Bali & Banten)
In line with traditional Balinese wisdom (Usada Bali – Balinese traditional medicine), we also cultivate various plants known for their healing properties.
Many of these herbs and spices also feature in our cooking, showcasing the deep connection between food as nourishment and food as medicine. You can learn more about this connection in our Balinese Culinary History section.
Additionally, we grow a variety of flowers (bunga) that are essential for preparing daily Balinese offerings (canang sari and other banten).
Our Organic Farming Commitment: Sustainable, Ethical, and Full of Love for Bali
We are deeply committed to organic farming principles at Taman Dukuh. This means absolutely no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers are used on our land. Ever. Instead, we rely on nature’s timeless wisdom and proven sustainable Balinese farming methods:
- Natural Pest & Disease Control:
We encourage a healthy ecosystem by promoting beneficial insects, companion planting, and using traditional, plant-based repellents to keep our crops healthy naturally. - Building Healthy, Living Soil:
The foundation of any thriving organic farm! We nourish our soil with natural compost made from farm and kitchen scraps, ensuring it’s rich in organic matter and beneficial microbes. This creates fertile ground for nutrient-dense produce. - Water Conservation & Management:
Water is a precious resource in Bali. We implement mindful watering techniques, such as drip irrigation where practical and watering during cooler parts of the day to minimize evaporation, respecting the island’s delicate water balance. - Promoting Biodiversity:
Our Ubud organic farm is designed to be a haven for local flora and fauna. By avoiding harsh chemicals and planting a diversity of crops, including native Balinese plants, we encourage beneficial insects, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, contributing to a healthier local ecosystem and a more resilient farm.
Our sustainability practices extend beyond just farming; they are a way of life at Taman Dukuh, ensuring we nurture the land that nurtures us, in line with the Nyegara Gunung philosophy of cosmic balance.
The Taman Dukuh Farm Tour Experience: A “Fantastic” Feast for the Senses & Mind
Many of our Balinese cooking classes begin with an “engaging and informative” tour of our organic farm. Led by our “passionate” local guides and chefs, it’s your chance to truly connect with the source of your food. Here’s what makes our Ubud farm tour so special:
- See & Learn About Bali Agriculture:
Identify the fascinating plants that form the backbone of Balinese cooking and traditional life. Our guides are “very knowledgeable” and absolutely love to “explain what they grow in great detail,” sharing stories and traditional uses. - Smell & Touch the Freshness:
Crush fragrant herb leaves like basil or mint between your fingers, inhale the earthy scent of freshly dug turmeric or galangal, and truly connect with the vibrant life of the Balinese ingredients. - Pick Your Own Ingredients for Your Class:
This is often a highlight! Depending on the class and what’s perfectly in season, you’ll get the “amazing experience” of harvesting some of the fresh ingredients you’ll be using in your cooking session. This makes the seed-to-plate journey incredibly personal and rewarding! - Taste Nature’s Purity:
Sometimes, there are opportunities to taste fruits, vegetables, or herbs straight from the plant – an explosion of pure, unadulterated natural flavor that’s simply unforgettable.
It’s a “fun and educational” part of the day that our guests consistently love. This Bali farm experience sets the stage for a truly authentic culinary session, deepening your understanding of where your food comes from and the care that goes into growing it organically.
From Our “Beautiful Farm in Ubud” Directly to Your Cooking Pot & Plate!
The fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and vibrant vegetables harvested daily from our organic farm are the undisputed stars of our cooking classes. You’ll experience the unparalleled taste that comes from ingredients picked just moments before they are transformed by your own hands into “delicious and super aromatic” Balinese dishes.
This direct, tangible connection is what makes the Taman Dukuh experience so special and “memorable.” It’s not just about learning Balinese recipes; it’s about understanding and appreciating the entire journey of food, from the nurturing earth of our Ubud farm to your joyful, shared meal.
Or Come, Explore Our Farm & Cook with Bali’s Freshest Flavors!