When visiting Blitar City, there is one local delicacy you shouldn’t miss, called Es Drop. As you stroll around the town on a warm and sunny afternoon, nothing feels more refreshing than a stick of this sweet dish. Made from simple and natural ingredients, Es Drop has been enjoyed by generation of locals since the colonial era. Nowadays, Es Drop is not only a popular snack, but also a symbol of Blitar’s culinary heritage.

Es Drop Cap Burung Betet began as a family business in 1937, during the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia. At that time, the ice cream was carefully made by the grandmother using traditional methods. After Indonesia gained independence, the business officially obtained a production license from the government, allowing it to expand its operations. Around 1956, the family also secured legal rights to their brand logo—a green parakeet inside a circle—which has since become a recognizable symbol of this iconic Blitar dessert. Today, the business is managed by the third generation of the founding family, keeping the original recipe and traditional production methods.

Besides the amazing taste, the ingredients of Es Drop are pretty simple and easy to get. Coconut milk, sometimes combined with fresh milk, is used for the ice cream base. Coconut milk provides a rich, creamy texture, making it a suitable alternative for those who are lactose intolerant. For the sweetener, Es Drop does not use refined sugar or artificial sweetener; it uses palm sugar as natural sweeteners. The combination of the coconut milk and palm sugar gives a distinctive balance between sweet and savory.

Es Drop also has lots of flavors to enjoy, such as chocolate, strawberry, durian, and mung bean, which are extracted from natural ingredients. In terms of appearance, Es Drop has a cylindrical, flower-like shape that is attached to a small bamboo stick, giving it a traditional touch. Every piece is wrapped in baking paper featuring the brand’s logo, which is personally printed by the owner to maintain the quality and the authenticity.

Despite the growing popularity of modern ice cream brands and trendy beverages, Es Drop continues to thrive in Blitar. Priced from around IDR 3,000 up to IDR 6,000 for each stick, everyone can already enjoy this sweet dish. The sellers are very easy to spot—often elderly vendors riding traditional bicycles with red cylindrical flasks, whose bright and vivid color has become an iconic part of Es Drop sellers. They are commonly found near popular tourist destinations such as Blitar Public Square and the Grave of Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president. In addition, Es Drop is also distributed through souvenir stores across the city. O-ODABLI—located at 3 Dr. Ismail Street—offers many local souvenirs and snacks, including Es Drop. Meanwhile, Omaku, which is located at 107 Semeru Street, is known for its traditional delicacies and beverages, where visitors can also find this sweet, frozen treat.

written by: Lauresta Rahayu P.