It usually has a medium body, earthy and spicy flavor, and a considerably lower acidity than most dark roasts. We suggest using a gooseneck kettle for more precision. To make your shopping easier, we tested a lot of beans and put together this guide to the five best Sumatran coffee beans of 2020. While the coffee plant is not native to Indonesia, the unique climate of Sumatra is pretty much a coffee farmer’s dream come true when it comes to producing Arabica beans. Overall, Peet’s Sumatra is a great tasting coffee and a great value amongst Sumatran coffee. At around $12 a pound, the price of this premium quality coffee is hard to beat. This premium fresh roasted coffee is bagged and shipped within 48 hours of roasting to ensure you get the freshest tasting cup every time. Other than the ewww gross factor, there are a number of other reasons you should not buy Kopi Luwak coffee. The unique flavor, loved by some and hated by others is a result of a process called wet hulling. Lintong is grown in a central northern area of Sumatra called Lintongnihuta. In fact, Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. We found that it arrived very fresh and aromatic, making it a great pick if you’re looking for pre-ground beans. 1. The beans this bold but – smooth coffee are collected from the best regions of the world- Colombia, Guatemala and Sumatra. Each batch is roasted to perfection by small batch roasters. Fresh Roasted Coffee’s Sumatra Mandheling Whole Bean was our least favorite brand. Koffee Kult’s Sumatra is a Mandheling made from 100% Arabica beans. Coffee harvesters collect the excrement, remove the remaining outer skin, and thoroughly clean the beans before roasting and selling them. And if you’re a fan of pre-ground beans, we recommend AmazonFresh’s Organic Fair Trade Sumatra, a bold, dark roast coffee conveniently sold in medium-size grounds. Volcanica’s Gayo Peaberry coffee beans are grown in the Aceh region in Northern Sumatra. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra – Best Ground Coffee, 5. The smell is distinctly Sumatran but the flavor is not as notable as some of the others on our list. Containing twice as much caffeine as arabica coffee beans, robusta beans … Experimentation with Robusta came next, and is now 75% of Indonesia’s coffee export. This region is so well known for coffee growing that coffee even earned the nickname Java from one of its islands. Coarsely grind the beans and add to a large pitcher with 4 cups of water and allow to sit for 12 hours. Volcania Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans. The coffee itself is smooth and aromatic with a low acidity. Mandheling is … This region is well known for producing Gayo Peaberry coffee which is intense and fruity in flavor with a lighter body and a fine smooth acidity. Our detailed reviews compare flavor, price, roast quality, and freshness so you can be sure you’ll receive delicious Sumatran beans. To make a french press of Sumatra, first grind the beans to a course setting. If roasted a little lighter, the flavor changes considerably, becoming a bit brighter. You should also try to use the freshly roasted coffee beans within a week to a month after purchase, so buying in bulk is not a good idea. The bottom line? By 1870, coffee plantations filled the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Out of all the brands we tested, Volcanica Coffee’s Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans were our favorites. They describe their Mutu Batak as “not your father’s Sumatra.”. Mandheling beans are named after a local tribe, the Mandailing people. Sumatra does however, have a lower acidity level than most coffees. In addition to the Sumatra Gayo Peaberry, Volcanica has one of the best Mandhelings we have found. Volcanica’s Gayo Peaberry is organically grown at high elevations. These small-batch Indonesian beans are certified Fair Trade and Organic. Sumatran coffee beans tend to have a lower brightness and … Produced near the lake of Tawar, the coffee produced here is among some of the cleanest and least complex of the Sumatra coffees. Having purchased around 15 different Beans from Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC my short list now includes this Sumatra. Since palm civets are small, nocturnal animals, producing Kopi Luwak coffee in a natural environment is difficult and has very little pay-off considering the amount of labor involved. Decaf Sumatra. 1. It’s bold and minimally bitter, though we found reports of less than fresh beans. So, if you are looking for Sumatran coffee, be sure to have a look at some of the best Sumatra coffee below. After picking the coffee cherries, homemade machines are used to promptly remove the skins, leaving the remaining fruit intact. While the weather conditions can vary, the combination of sunny and wet days in Sumatra’s tropical climate, along with the high altitudes available, creates the perfect coffee growing environment. This region is well known for embracing the wet hulling processing method, giving the coffee grown here that signature earthy Sumatran flavor. This region is located on a high plateau overlooking Lake Toba. About the Sumatra Coffee Bean. Sumatra coffee is typically harvested from the Sunda Islands, specifically the island of Sumatra. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear. At first glance, you might think that the vibrant acidity and sweet caramel and... Out of the Grey Coffee, Sumatra Wahana Estate. Copyright 2020 Coffee-Channel.All Rights Reserved. Many corporations tout these beans as the highest quality premium beans because the animals supposedly select only the best and ripest coffee cherries for consumption. As a result, you would be spending a ridiculous amount of money on a mediocre, substandard, overpriced coffee at the expense of helpless animals. Often you will hear Sumatra described as complex, full-bodied, and rich but this can be attributed to roasters roasting the coffee on the darker side. It’s very low in acidity and comes in a convenient medium grind. The fruit containing the beans are then placed into woven bags and left to ferment overnight. Indonesia, the country where Sumatra is produced, is the world’s fourth largest coffee producer. Sumatra’s coffee is processed in a traditional way, unique to the Sunda Islands. The beans are dried overnight and then shipped to a warehouse. The coffee is then roasted in small batches to ensure quality and consistency in flavor. Instead of washing or dry processing the beans, local farmers use a process called “gilling basah,” or wet hulling. Therefore, for the strongest flavor, you may want to buy whole beans and grind them within 15 minutes of brewing. taste rating 4.8 stars • Dark roast coffee beans • 100% Arabica • Strong and bold taste with the earthy and herbal aroma • Coffee beans from Indonesia, Sumatra • Very low acidity. This fabulous Sumatra Mandheling is one of our favorites. As soon as you grind them, beans begin to lose flavor through contact with oxygen. Decaf Christmas Blend. Rich and sweet, the flavor profile taste of dried fruit, complemented with slightly smoky notes and a hint of caramel. Since Starbucks is one of the biggest buyers of Sumatra coffee in the world, naturally it would make our list. As a result, the animals instead are caged and force fed to produce more coffee faster. The best Sumatra coffee is really a matter of taste. They’re certified shade-grown, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance, and are grown in volcanic soil at over 3,000 feet of elevation. We won’t make a mistake or exaggerate if we say that this is the most unique coffee … This single-origin coffee is grown in Lintong, Sumatra, at a high elevation of around 4,000 feet. Five pounds is a lot of coffee, so unless you are a serious coffee consumer, we suggest you store it in an opaque, airtight container in the freezer to preserve its freshness. The method you decide to use is up to you but here are our 5 favorite methods for brewing. It’s primary advantage is that you have full control over the process while the drip method is left up to the machine. The earthy and chocolatey notes are combined with a delicate brown sugar like sweetness. I started purchasing coffee online for my personal use around 5 years ago. Certified both Organic and Fair Trade, this dark roast Sumatran coffee has a smoky, chocolatey flavor that is tasty but not particularly distinctive. Skeptics often refer to the flavor as funky and confusing. Next slowly pour hot, but not boiling water over the grounds a little at a time. Sumatra produces some of the world’s finest gourmet coffee and they are known as Mandheling, Lintong and Ankola. It has a smooth and creamy, heavy body with an impressive flavor that is both earthy and spicy. The best beans we tested were Volcanica Coffee’s Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans, which have just the smooth, complex flavor we expect from a Mandheling. The rich earthy flavor of Sumatra is well suited to an espresso brew, which uses pressure to brew the coffee. Sumatran coffee is widely available, but the quality of the beans can vary quite a bit between brands. Sumatra Coffee: A Buyer’s Guide Best Sumatran Coffee Regions. The Sumatra Dark Roast from Cooper’s Cask is our second favorite option. There are three main types of beans that Sumatra is famous for growing. You may want to check for roast dates on the bags of coffee you buy and try to consume coffee between a week and a month after the roast date. Café Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso is a blend of Colombian Supremo and Sumatra Mandheling beans. We hope our comprehensive reviews of the five best Sumatran coffee brands, plus our quick guide to Sumatran coffee beans, help you find the unique, complex flavors you’re searching for. You’ve probably heard of the other major coffee region, Java, which is so well-known that people use its name interchangeably with coffee. Sumatra Gayo Coffee. Since they are so controversial in the coffee world, many people often wonder; what does Sumatra coffee taste like? Lintong is known for balancing this rich flavor with a slightly less heavy and clean aftertaste. The beans of this region are grown in the highlands that surround Gayo mountain. It’s unique tropical climate is ideal for Arabica coffee cultivation and its fertile soil can be attributed to the andesitic volcanic sediments that come from multiple volcanoes. Starbucks is a huge purchaser of Sumatran coffee and frequently uses it in their blends. Sumatra coffee profiles are full, heavy bodied coffees with low acidity and high earthy character. The flavor profile is also smokey with notes of cedar, cherry, dark chocolate and tobacco. Sumatra Mandheling coffees are famous around the world for their heavy body and syrupy, chocolatey after-tones. This particular brew should be tolerated by most coffee drinkers since the notes of herbs and spices aren’t as prominent as some of the Sumatras on this list. Robusta beans typically have more caffeine so if you want a coffee that packs more of a punch try a blend made with Robusta. Sumatra coffee is a controversial topic among coffee connoisseurs. The other coffee growing region is Sumatra. The beans are harvested between 4,000ft and 6,000ft near Lake Laut in Sumatra. For the freshest-tasting coffee, look for beans that have been roasted as recently as possible. Sumatra Mandheling beans are one of two famous beans from the Sumatra island in Indonesia, the other being Lintong.Unlike most other beans that are named after the region they are grown in, Mandheling is named after the indigenous Mandailing people who originally farmed and processed the beans … The coffee has a well balanced full body, low acidity, and distinctive notes of spice, brown sugar, and chocolate. It also tones down more subtle flavors like fruits and florals. The dark roast accentuates flavors of chocolate and nuts in the beans, though we found the flavor to be less full overall, and not exceptionally bold or complex. WIth each sip you will detect hints of sweet herbs, fresh green peppers, and even lavender. 3. Its positioning near the equator creates a unique tropical climate that coffee beans love and the well balanced, volcanic soil provides essential nutrients for plant growth. Sumatran beans are lower in acidity because of how they’re processed and because they’re generally dark roast, which naturally has less acid. The humid and rainy climate of the Sunda Islands makes it difficult to dry the coffee beans in a traditional method. The deep earthy flavors of Sumatra coffee beans work best when roasted to a medium or dark roast. When prepared properly, Sumatra coffee has an intriguing and complex flavor. But how do you make sure you’re buying some of the very best beans Sumatra has to offer? The beans are then transported to a port city where they are given a third drying period before being exported. Coffee-Channel is reader-supported. This medium roast, shade grown, coffee is Fair Trade and RainForest Alliance Certified. Add the ground beans to the press and slowly pour hot, but not boiling water over the beans. Subsequently, these beans are (roasted in Hollywood), Florida by “Koffee Kult’s artisan” coffee … Though well-priced, this medium roast coffee is lacking the distinctively earthy flavor of other Mandheling beans. As you drink the coffee however, you begin to detect herbal hints of fresh fallen leaves, cocoa and flowers. Sumatra coffee is processed using a wet hulling method. The growing conditions give it a bold full-bodied flavor that is indicative of a great Arabica coffee. This method of processing lowers acidity in the Sumatran bean and contributes to its unique, earthy taste. Whether you are a Sumatra lover, skeptic, or still on the fence, the one thing we can all agree on is our love for premium coffee beans. Every bean they process is scrutinized by their on-staff Q grader to ensure that only the best beans are roasted. Since Sumatra does not have the luxury of slowly drying their beans, they have to use this non traditional method or risk losing their entire coffee crop. Yes, you read that correctly. 1. These beans are also somewhat oily and low in acid. Start with one cup of whole coffee beans. This time consuming and rather unusual process is why the coffee is so outrageously priced. The resulting brew is both creamy and complex with a smooth finish. Unfortunately, leaf rust disease all but wiped out the Sumatra coffee plant at the end of the 19th century and an attempt to replace it was made with Liberica coffee. Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast is also available in K-cups for those who prefer the convenience of single serve coffee. We all know ground coffee is just plain convenient. Some love it, others despise it. Christmas Blend Ground Coffee. Sold in several grinds and bag sizes, this coffee boats an impressive flavor that’s both earthy and spicy. Organic Sumatra Swiss Water Decaf Coffee by Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. The islands are divided into two principle regions:  the Greater Sunda region and the Lesser Sunda region. The coffee from this region is spicy and syrupy with a complex body and is considered by many to be the best coffee Sumatra has to offer. Instead of washing and then dry processing the beans, Sumatra uses a process known as “gilling basah” or wet hulling. The flavor is earthy and herbal with aromatic notes of sweet caramel. Best Sumatra Coffee Beans Volcanica Coffee, Sumatra Gayo Peaberry. This Sumatra dark roast from Cooper’s Cask is one of our top favorites. Sumatra coffee is typically shade grown on small coffee farms at high altitude. 2. It’s very dessert like especially if you add cream and sugar! Coffee Bean Direct offers another solid whole bean coffee, the Dark Sumatra Mandheling. It makes a perfect everyday coffee. Copper Moon Sumatra, Whole Bean Coffee, 5 Pound Bag, Dark Roast Coffee with Smoothly Bold, Earthy Flavors, and Herbal Notes 4.4 out of 5 stars 786 $36.28 $ 36 . The company prides itself on having developed an expertly balanced coffee, while still preserving the elements associated with Sumatra. If you are a long time Sumatra lover looking for more variety or someone who has never tried this revered coffee bean and looking for a place to start, we have given you our top picks for your Sumatra journey. While Sumatra might be the coffee capital of Indonesia, Bali also produces excellent organic coffee beans. No, Sumatra has the same amount of caffeine as any other Arabica coffee bean. 4. Coffee from this region has an earthy flavor with spicy cedar notes. Mandheling coffee beans are one of the most exported varieties in Sumatra and are well known for their smooth, syrupy yet heavy body,along with an herbal aroma and sweet chocolatey  flavor notes. 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