JAKARTA - It resembles regular garlic, but its color is entirely black. Once you peel away the outer layers, you're met with a chewy, fruit-like texture, similar to dodol (a traditional Indonesian sweet). Is it a snack or a type of garlic? That’s likely the first question that comes to mind when encountering black garlic, the signature product of Cardimus.
Beneath its distinctive sweet-black appearance lies a powerhouse of health benefits. It's no surprise that within one month, customers are lining up to get their hands on it. Cardimus produces up to 2.5 tons of black garlic per month, with an estimated net profit of IDR 400 million monthly. So, what’s the secret behind their success?
Fatimah, the brand’s founder, shared that it all started with a strong pull to “return home” to her alma mater, Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB). After spending years in the private sector, she made the decision to fully dedicate herself to building her own business.
Together with her husband, who is also an IPB graduate, they developed Serambi Botani, a store owned by the university. The store showcases products derived from IPB professors’ research, making them accessible to the wider public.
In 2010, Fatimah encountered an elderly man offering black garlic. “I gave it a try - it tasted amazing and unlike anything I’d tasted before. That’s when we decided to pursue it more seriously, and the market response exceeded all expectations. The growth was tremendous,” she recalled.
She explained that black garlic, known for its numerous health benefits, is actually regular garlic that has been fermented over a specific period of time at a controlled temperature. As a result, the fermentation process turns the garlic completely black, giving it a chewy, dodol-like texture. Its flavor also changes, becoming sweet and tangy.
In general, black garlic is known to have numerous health benefits, such as boosting brain function and memory, helping to regulate blood sugar, and being relatively safe for people with acid reflux.
In 2015, Fatimah established her own company, PT Alam Scientia, with Cardimus as its main brand. The business grew rapidly and eventually opened its own manufacturing facility in Ciawi, Bogor. Today, Cardimus employs 12 full-time staff and dozens of part-time workers.
In addition to selling black garlic, Fatimah has also developed other product variants, such as black garlic extract. She was inspired by research from Korea and China, which found that black garlic extract can help relieve sore throats and support liver therapy.
Cardimus has also developed pasta variants and health supplements in response to consumption trends among young people.
Breaking into the global market through learning and networking
Amid various challenges, Fatimah continues to expand the market reach of Cardimus at the global level. Cardimus is now exporting to several countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
As someone who has worked in the corporate world for a long time, Fatimah admits that she has greatly benefited from the support provided by the Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC). Through SETC training, Fatimah gained a wealth of knowledge, including tips on how to penetrate export markets and develop human resources. She also received assistance from SETC when participating in the China International Import Export in 2023.
“At that time, because of our solid track record, we applied for funding, and SETC supported us with flight tickets, accommodations, and more. As MSME entrepreneurs, we really need guidance and knowledge upgrades. Even at my age, I believe learning is vital - and so is networking,” said the 60-year-old woman.
Since joining SETC, Cardimus has consistently participated in the Pesta Rakyat untuk Indonesia, a collaborative event for MSME entrepreneurs and the community to connect, learn, and grow. This year, the Pesta Rakyat untuk Indonesia 2025 was held in celebration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day and Sampoerna’s 112th anniversary in the country.
Cardimus, along with many other MSME booths fostered by SETC, added vibrancy to the entrepreneurs’ event at Smesco Indonesia, Jakarta. These hundreds of MSMEs are part of the “Sampoerna for Indonesia” Sustainability Program.
Sampoerna is committed to developing MSMEs through the Sampoerna Retail Community (SRC) and the Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC), under the umbrella of the “Sampoerna for Indonesia” Sustainability Program. The SRC program supports over 250,000 traditional retail stores across Indonesia through training, digitalization, and technology integration to boost sales and competitiveness.
Additionally, through the SETC program, Sampoerna has trained over 97,000 participants and supported 1,600 MSMEs, with more than 200 MSMEs successfully exporting their products. With a 27-hectare training facility in Pasuruan, East Java, SETC has become a center for globally competitive MSME development.
To fellow MSME entrepreneurs just starting out, Fatimah has a special message. “First, you must have a mindset to move forward - a dream that you can do it. For example: I must be able to export there, don’t give up, even when things don’t work out. Keep trying. Put your whole heart and mind into achieving your goals,” she said.