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Sumatra
The name itself alone conjures up images of lush tropical rainforest, steamy days and misty, blue mountains. The big island has always been a favorite of adventurers. For a thousand years visitors have come and marveled at the incredible scenery- many, such as the Arabs, Portuguese and Malay, have settled in many parts of the Island. Even today Sumatra is still a mystical and largely inaccessible place. During the wet season, roads are often swept away by floods and villages are often cut off from outside contact for months on end.
The coffee from Sumatra has a rightful place amongst the most sought after in the world. Highland Arabica beans are predominantly found in Northern and Western Sumatra- areas scattered around the Barisan Mountain range. The southern part of the island, around Mount Kelinci and Bengkulu, is primarily Robusta country. The lower elevations and the weather conditions are less suited to Arabica production.
Big brokers based in Medan control a large percentage of the green bean export of beans from the island. We however prefer to buy our beans directly from the plantations and small holder/village growers. Some of the most interesting and flavorsome beans are produced by the small village cooperatives. Our travels throughout West and Northern Sumatra have lead us to some wonderful finds.
Our Coffee
Gayo Mountain Organic
Mandehling- Estate
Mandehling- Village
Lintong
West Sumatra highland Arabica
Olde Dark Sumatra Blend
Java
Once Mysticism and an array of sultans ruled over the Tropical Island of Java. The early Dutch settlers found Java to be a wonderfully diverse place- high mountains, thick tropical rain forest and a sultry climate that revolved around the monsoon rains. The Dutch and the Javanese settled the coastal volcanic plains, while much of the interior of the island was left to the jungle and a few tribal groups. The Dutch found that coffee grew very well in the climate, and began by planting plantations around their initial foothold in Batavia (modern day Jakarta). Initially arabicas were planted, but many of these were killed by the coffee rust plague that devastated the region in the 1800’s. Robusta was the logical replacement- a tough plant resistant to many diseases. Eventually the Dutch plantation owners conquered Java- and took on the elements. Large plantations were established in the east of the Island, as well as in central java and the west. After the Japanese occupied Java in the 1940’s, many of these plantations were either destroyed, or were absorbed back into the jungle with their owners imprisioned by the Japanese. After the war and the ensuing independence struggle, many of the larger plantations ended up under the control of the government. Today the big Java plantations (such as Nusantara XII) are still government owned. However there are many medium and smaller growers who produce excellent quality Arabica
Our Coffee
Java Estate
Java Village
Bali
Bali, island of the gods, is famous worldwide for its spectacular beaches, spiritualism and hospitable people. It was the last part of Indonesia to fall under direct Dutch rule, not really becoming part of the Dutch East Indies until the early 1900’s. As a result much of the plantation based infrastructure the Dutch developed in Java and a lesser extent Sumatra never developed in Bali. However the Balinese did cultivate coffee for their own consumption- most likely from coffee traded with the Arab traders who settled in nearby Lombok. Balinese coffee today is primarily Robusta, although there are some small specialized estates now growing Arabica.
Our Coffee
Kintamani Arabica
Irian Jaya
Irian Jaya, or Papua, is the eastern most territory of Indonesia. The two provinces that make up Irian are the least populated of any area in the archipelago. Today modernization is beginning to creep in- however if you stay in the flash Sheraton in Timika you are still greeted by the sight of tribesman, complete with penis sheaths, in the lobby! Irian Jaya is heavily forested and mountainous. The tallest peak in Indonesia, Puncak Jaya, is the only snow capped mountain in the tropics. Coffee grows very well at these altitudes, especially in the high valleys around Wamena. Most of the farmers are small hold producers who practice organic farming, using natural fertilizer for their crops. The coffee is dry processed and sold in Wamena before being shipped to Java.
Our Coffee
Wamena Estate
Flores
The island of Flores was never really part of the Dutch East Indies. It was discovered by the Portuguese in the mid 15th century and was settled by them soon after. The Portuguese influence lasted for over 100 years before the Dutch drove them out. However Portuguese missionaries remained and today most of the population is Christian, unlike the rest of the country which is predominately Muslim. The island itself is a fantastic place- from the Komodo dragons in the east, to the volcanic lakes of Kelimutu and the friendly port city of Larantuka…vast jungles cover the island and many of the roads are narrow and allow limited access to the hinterland. The arabica produced on the island displays mellowness reminiscent of that found in Java.. Several large plantations produce beans for export, however again the small hold producers grow beans with unusual and very favorable qualities.
