But for the sake of simplicity, we’re exclusively talking about Sumatra’s varieties: Mandheling, Ankola, Lintong, and Gayo/Aceh. For example, Indonesia is also home to Java coffee, which is so well-known that the word java has become synonymous with coffee. Sumatran coffee grows in a specific region of Indonesia, but it’s important to note it isn’t the only kind of joe you’ll find in the country. However, nowadays, there’s a push for more light roasts, and brighter-tasting Sumatran brews are rising in popularity. It’s not uncommon to find these joes roasted to medium or dark hues. Most high-quality Sumatran coffee grows at altitudes between 2,500 and 5,000 feet and generally boasts low acidity, a full body, and an earthy aroma.

Now, Sumatra is the largest Indonesian coffee producer. Before this, coffee cherries only grew in the Ethiopian wild.Ĭoffee growers planted the joe in the fertile soil surrounding volcanic Lake Toba, and the plants flourished, creating what many consider the first roots of the coffee industry we have today. The Dutch brought coffee to Sumatra in 1699, but large-scale coffee production did not begin until 1884. Sumatra is the world’s sixth-largest island and one of Indonesia’s Greater Sunda Islands, alongside Java, Sulawesi, and Borneo.

We’ll get to our Sumatran coffee brand suggestions, but first, let’s take a closer look at these beans’ origins. Rich And Complex Fruit Tones, Nutty, Sweet, And Full Bodied.

Sumatra mandheling roast profile