The Taste and Characteristics of Sumatran Coffee, One of the Types of Coffee in Indonesia that has become Popular Worldwide

Aceh Gayo Coffee

This Sumatran coffee is claimed to be one of the world's highest-quality coffees based on the Indonesia Speciality Coffee Auction score. This coffee has a strong taste and character. There is a touch of sweetness in every grain of coffee. On the other hand, Gayo's taste is not that bitter, and the acidity level is low. The fragrance is unique; a faint aroma of spices can be smelled when processing this coffee. Usually, Gayo coffee is produced as an Arabica type.

Sidikalang Coffee

Planted in Dairi Regency, North Sumatra, this coffee grows in mountainous areas around 1,500 meters above sea level. Just like Gayo, Sidikalang coffee is usually produced as an Arabica type. This type of coffee in Indonesia tastes strong because the caffeine in this coffee is quite high. However, after sipping this coffee, you will feel a slight sweet taste on your tongue. As for the aroma, there is a smell that will faintly smell like chocolate.

Mandailing Coffee

If you look at history, Mandailing coffee is a Dutch heritage. This coffee was brought to Indonesia in 1699 to be planted in the Mandailing Natal area, Pakantan Regency, North Sumatra. This type of coffee in Indonesia is a mandatory souvenir when visiting Sumatra.

Talking about characteristics and taste, Mandailing Coffee has a strong aroma and thick texture. There is a combination of sweet and sour flavors in the coffee, but it is not too dominant, so it is still suitable for beginners.

Sipirok Coffee

A fruity aroma and taste is quite dominant in this coffee. Grown at an altitude of 1,200-1,300 meters above sea level, Sipirok Coffee is usually grown in the South Tapanuli region, North Sumatra, and has a reasonably strong coffee taste.

Also Read: Let's Get To Know 7 Types of Indonesian Coffee and Their Characteristics!

Lintong Coffee

The name of this Sumatran coffee is taken from the word 'Lintong Nihuta', the area where the coffee is grown, namely Lintong Nihuta District. This coffee grows at an altitude of 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level.

Europeans targeted this type of coffee in Indonesia because of its strong taste and distinctive aroma with an herbal smell that comes from the coffee. As for the taste, this Sumatran coffee has a low acidity level, but a sweet taste, like dark chocolate, can be tasted in this coffee.

Tanah Karo Coffee

A coffee grown since the Dutch colonial era in the 1900s, Tanah Karo Coffee, developed into an Arabica variety, has a unique and interesting taste. There is a hint taste of orange in the coffee because the highlands of Tanah Karo are also vastly planted with oranges with low acidity levels.

Kerinci Coffee

Coffee from Kerinci is now widely produced in Arabica and Robusta varieties. Coffee in this region is grown at an altitude of 900-1,800 meters above sea level near Mount Kerinci.

The character of this type of coffee in Indonesia is influenced by the organic and mineral content of Mount Kerinci. This coffee has a sweet taste and low acidity, with aromas of herbs and cinnamon.

Lampung Coffee

Lampung is known as the largest producer of robusta in Indonesia. Every year, 30 thousand tons of coffee can be produced in this area. Lampung coffee is widely grown in the West Lampung, Central Lampung, and Tanggamus regions. The caffeine content in Lampung robusta coffee is quite high, so it is not surprising that Lampung coffee is more bitter than ordinary coffee.

Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak)

This is one type of coffee in Indonesia whose name is already well-known in various parts of the world. This type of Sumatran coffee can be priced at up to millions of rupiah per kilogram. The price is expensive but worth the quality and unique taste, which contains a little fruit acid.

Bengkulu Coffee

Coffee in this region is still processed with a very simple method. But make no mistake, the taste of Bengkulu Coffee is very rich. You will vaguely taste a fruity sensation when drinking this coffee. The aroma that can be smelled when processing this coffee varies from cocoa to spices, neither too dominant.

Well, those are the various types of coffee in Indonesia that have become popular worldwide. These various types of Sumatran coffee can also be served in various ways, whether brewed using the tubruk method, using an espresso machine to make lattes and cappuccinos, or other manual brew methods.

Those are the types of coffee in Indonesia that grows on the island of Sumatra. For those of you who want to try making black coffee at home, you can use NESCAFÉ Classic  which is practical for your daily coffee needs!