Sumatra - Gayo Highlands
- Farm: Gayo Highlands
- Location: Bener Mariah, Northern Sumatra
- Altitude: 1100-1400m
- Process: Giling Basah/Wet Hulled
- Varietal: Mandheling
Cupping Notes: Dark and smokey, blackcurrant, black Tea, rich and heavy mouthfeel
Located near Tingkem in Bener Meriah Regency, Northern Sumatra, this organic coffee is sourced from a group of 400 farmers cultivating 450 hectares of land. The region is renowned for its unique growing conditions that contribute to the coffee's distinct flavor profile.
The coffee is exported by PT Orion Gandatama Perkasa, established in 2016. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, PT Orion focuses on Northern Sumatra, particularly the Toba area and Gayo Highland. They operate a state-of-the-art dry mill in Medan, conveniently located near shipping ports, and maintain a wet and dry mill in the Gayo Highland. PT Orion is dedicated to building strong relationships with local farmers and cooperatives, ensuring each batch of coffee meets high-quality standards while promoting sustainable practices.
Grown in rich volcanic loam soils—composed of sand, silt, and clay—this coffee thrives in the region's ideal climate, resulting in rich, full-bodied, and smoky flavors. The Mandheling variety represents all arabica coffee in the area, named after the Mandailing people of Tapanuli.
The coffee is grown by farmers who typically manage small family-owned farms, averaging 0.5 to 2 hectares in size. Each farmer is part of a cooperative, which helps facilitate better practices and market access. The cooperative structure allows for a streamlined process where coffee changes hands at several stages of drying, ensuring quality control and consistency. All farming practices are organic certified. Farmers receive training in tree management, pesticide application, and harvesting techniques, ensuring high-quality coffee. They also learn about conservation methods to prevent soil degradation and enhance environmental health.
After harvesting, cherries undergo a 12-hour fermentation process, then are dried to 35-40% moisture. The coffee is hulled and further dried to 15-18% moisture before being transported to Medan for final drying to 13% moisture. It is then packaged in GrainPro lined bags, ready for shipping.
