Sumatra – Aceh

This wet-hulled Aceh coffee is from a quality-savvy coffee collector named Aulia who buys in the districts of Bebesen and Kute Panang. Farms in these regions tend to span an altitude range of about 1300 to 1600 meters and are planted in older, long berry types (you’ll see the long, canoe shaped beans) Abysinnia, Ateng and Tim Tim. In the scheme of things, Aulia’s operation is quite small. He usually buys a few bags at a time, and then processes coffee with family at home. With small scale comes the capability for a high level of quality management, which he puts into all of the different process technics he employs (including full honey and dry process!). That extra care and attention given to quality control is apparent when you look at the green coffee, and of course in flavor too, both remarkably clean for a wet hulled coffee, though not without defects.

Another exemplary wet hulled coffee from Mr. Aulia, with intense rustic cup sweetness, and incredible depth of flavor. The dry fragrance produced a sweetness of black strap molasses, accented by subtle earth tones, and cooked fruit. The wet aroma included bittersweet chocolate, traces of warming spice, and hints of rustic sweeteners pushed their way up in the steam. All that extra effort Aulia puts into quality control pays off in the brewed coffee. Sweet flavors of brown rice syrup, and rustic coconut palm sugar provided a nice backdrop, as herbal suggestions crept up in the cup. There were also latent hints of fruit after the coffee cooled down some, like stewed plums. This dark roast has indelible dark chocolate flavors that give way to hints of fresh green herbs, super inky body, and a peppery-bittersweet finish.