Wherever you go in Indonesia, you’re going to be feasting on the redolent fragrance of kretek clove cigarettes, and Dji Sam Soe 234 is by far the most popular brand. Blended from Maduro and American tobaccos, kreteks are laced with clove casings, and the tastiest are the unfiltered variety. They are inexpensive and hand-rolled, and we’ve found a wonderful short video that shows exactly how they’re made. 

We found that kreteks’ wrappers quickly became unglued in our mouths, and found small cigarette holders, easily available in Indonesia, as the best way to enjoy the flavor without having the whole thing unravel in our mouths. The kretek is wonderful with coffee, a relaxing way to sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of Indonesia.