Wikstea, an innovative product nurtured by the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), participated in Karya Kreatif Sumatera Utara (KKSU) 2026, organized by the Bank Indonesia Representative Office of North Sumatra at Podomoro City Deli Medan from July 15–26, 2026. Its participation aimed to introduce healthy beverages made from non-timber forest products to the public while supporting the development of a sustainable creative economy based on natural resources.

In collaboration with Kedai Mangulosi at the Pojok Kuliner area, Wikstea featured a variety of healthy beverages made from non-timber forest products, including agarwood leaves and sea holly (jeruju) leaves. These ingredients were carefully processed into refreshing drinks that offer added value as natural and healthier beverage alternatives.

In addition to its established signature products, Wikstea introduced several new beverage innovations developed to meet contemporary consumer preferences and market trends. The latest menu includes Roasted Milk Tea, Butterfly Yogurt, Cheeru Tea, and Jenny Berry, all crafted using high-quality natural ingredients to deliver distinctive flavors while offering healthier beverage choices.

Wikstea's participation in KKSU 2026 also served as an educational platform to raise public awareness of the potential of non-timber forest products as valuable raw materials for food and beverage production. By combining Indonesia's rich biodiversity with modern beverage concepts, Wikstea demonstrates that non-timber forest products can be transformed into competitive, value-added products capable of meeting the growing demand for healthier lifestyles.

Amid the rapid growth of the food and beverage industry, which is often dominated by products containing artificial additives, Wikstea offers a healthier alternative by emphasizing the use of natural ingredients. This innovation is expected to increase public awareness of the importance of choosing healthier beverages while expanding the utilization of non-timber forest products as economically valuable commodities.

As part of the KKSU 2026 program, Prof. Arida Susilowati, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, visited the Wikstea booth at Podomoro City Deli Medan. Her visit demonstrated support and appreciation for the Wikstea team in promoting the Faculty's innovative products to a broader audience.

During her visit, Prof. Arida encouraged the team to continue developing innovative products based on non-timber forest resources that are competitive and beneficial to society. As a tangible show of support for locally developed products created by the Faculty of Forestry's academic community, she also purchased several Wikstea products and commended the quality of the healthy beverages on display.

Wikstea's participation in KKSU 2026 reflects the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara's commitment to advancing research commercialization, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and the sustainable utilization of forest resources. Through this event, Wikstea is expected to become increasingly recognized as a healthy beverage brand that highlights the potential of Indonesia's non-timber forest products through modern, high-quality, and environmentally friendly offerings.

The initiative also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by providing healthier beverages made from natural ingredients; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the development of innovative products based on non-timber forest products; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources; SDG 15: Life on Land by increasing the economic value of non-timber forest products while maintaining environmental sustainability; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration among higher education institutions, Bank Indonesia, and business partners to foster the creative economy and sustainable development.