These dark Sumatran beans are reminiscent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which traces the mountains of Virginia through Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Staunton, Lexington, and Roanoke. Sitting on the edge of the world, in a thunderstorm, you might just barely experience all the savage beauty this coffee has to offer.

Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling GR1

This coffee comes from the North Sumatra province in Indonesia, one of the largest coffee-producing regions by volume on the island. Coffee here is usually wet-hulled, a processing method unique to Indonesia due to unpredictable rains during the drying season. Once pulped, coffee is dried to a certain moisture level before hulling. After that, the coffee is dried the rest of the way before being prepared for export. Small, family-owned farms are the norm here, though larger estates do exist.

One of the unique aspects of coffee production in Indonesia is the post-harvest process known as Giling Basah (wet hulling). This processing method is a hallmark of Sumatran coffee. Due to the humid climate, farmers use this hybrid process, which combines elements of both washed and natural methods, to avoid quality defects and achieve the desired moisture level for export.

The Giling Basah process significantly influences the cup profile, resulting in the low acidity, heavy body, and distinctive piney and spicy notes that are often associated with Indonesian coffee. These earthy and woody characteristics are highly valued in Sumatran beans.

Roast level: Dark

Altitude: 1000 meters

Harvest: June

Process: Wet Hulled

Drying: Patio Drying

Varietals: Caturra, Typica, Catimor

Export: November

In the cup:
Dark, creamy, and smooth, with hints of pine and dark chocolate. A true dark roast, this single-origin coffee expresses the boldness traditionalists expect. Fans tend to also love the slightly lighter-roasted