Espresso Single Origin of the Month - Indonesian Sumatran Mandheling Gr1

Sumatran Coffee: A Rich and Earthy Experience

Sumatra, the second-largest island in Indonesia, is renowned for its distinctive coffee. Grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Leuser, near Padang in west-central Sumatra, and in Aceh near Lake Laut Tawar, Sumatran coffee, often called "Mandheling," offers a unique flavor profile. The name "Mandheling" honors the Mandailing people, an ethnic group in the Batak area.

Cultivation and Processing

• Smallholder Farming: Sumatran coffees are typically cultivated by smallholder farmers, often using shade-grown and, in practice, organic methods.

• Grading: InterAmerican purchases high-quality Grade 1 Sumatra coffees, categorised as Double-Picked (DP) or Triple-Picked (TP), indicating the number of times the beans are hand-sorted for defects.

• Giling Basah Processing: The traditional Sumatran processing method, Giling Basah ("wet-hulled"), involves hulling the parchment at a high moisture content (around 50%) compared to the usual 10-12%. This unique method contributes to the coffee's characteristic light acidity, lingering richness, and earthy, spicy, and chocolate notes.

Our Trusted Suppliers

We partner with several suppliers committed to quality and sustainability:

• Utamagro: Established in 2002, Utamagro focuses on high-quality products, employee development, efficient production, and new technologies. Their cooperative, Koperasi Utamagro Tani Gayo in Aceh, supports local youth and aims to improve the economic welfare of its members.

• KSU Adil Wiladah Mabrur & Koperasi Gayo Mandiri: These closely associated cooperatives invest Fairtrade premiums in agricultural tools, environmental education, and social programs, including women's empowerment initiatives.

• Buana Mandiri: Formed in 2014, this cooperative, with a young board and membership, emphasises sustainable farming practices, providing members with essential resources and promoting environmental awareness. They have approximately 1,300 members with farms located between 1,200 and 1,400 meters above sea level in the Bener Meriah region, and their own mill.

• Koperasi Petani Kopi Arabika (KPKA) Cooperative: Representing smallholders in the Bener Meriah regency, KPKA offers Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling G1 DP Rainforest Alliance certified coffee. This Arabica Gayo 1 varietal is grown at 1200-1400 meters above sea level, and harvested from April to November.

• Putra Tani Berkarya Producer Cooperative (KPPTB): Located in the Bener Meriah district of Aceh Province, and established in 2021, KPPTB comprises 711 producer members from nine villages across Bener Meriah and Central Aceh.  The cooperative has its own Processing Unit and is committed to maintaining consistent, high-quality products. KPPTB has been certified Organic since 2022 and Fairtrade Organic since 2024, leading to better prices and improved livelihoods for its members.