PRODUCER: Smallholder Producers
ORIGIN: Bener Meriah
VARIETY : Bourbon | Catimor | S795
PROCESS: Wet Hulled | Raised-Bed Dried
HARVEST: October | December
ELEVATION: 1700 MASL
ROASTER: Probat P25
LEVEL: Moderate Medium | Agtron #65
EXTRACTION: Preferred for Filter
NOTES: Plum | Cacao Nib | Black Tea | Candied Walnutl
STORY
Sumatra Mandheling comes from smallholder coffee producers in Bener Meriah, a high-elevation growing region on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Cultivated at approximately 1,700 meters above sea level, this coffee develops a dense structure, deep sweetness, and the distinctive character associated with high-quality Sumatran coffees.
The coffee is processed using Indonesia’s traditional wet-hulled method, locally known as Giling Basah. Unlike fully washed coffees, the parchment is removed while the beans still retain significant moisture. This allows the coffee to dry more quickly in Sumatra’s humid and unpredictable climate while developing its characteristic body, earthy complexity, and muted acidity.
Expect a rich and balanced cup with ripe plum sweetness, bittersweet cacao nib, structured black tea, and a lingering candied-walnut finish.
ORIGIN
Sumatra, Indonesia
Sumatra is one of Indonesia’s most recognized specialty-coffee origins. Its mountainous terrain, volcanic soil, tropical climate, and high elevations create ideal conditions for producing coffees with a full body, deep sweetness, and complex savory character.
Most coffee in Sumatra is cultivated by smallholder farmers who process their harvest through local collectors, cooperatives, and community mills. The island’s signature wet-hulled process contributes to the unmistakable flavor profile for which Sumatran coffee is known: rich texture, low acidity, earthy depth, warming spice, and dark-fruit sweetness.
REGION
Bener Meriah
Bener Meriah is a mountainous coffee-producing region in northern Sumatra’s Aceh Province. Its high elevations, fertile volcanic soil, cool temperatures, and consistent rainfall support the slow development of dense, flavorful coffee cherries.
Coffee farming is central to the region’s economy and is primarily carried out by smallholder producers. Coffees from Bener Meriah are valued for their heavy body, balanced acidity, chocolate depth, dark-fruit sweetness, and distinctive herbal complexity.
VARIETY
Bourbon | Catimor | S795
This Sumatra Mandheling combines three varieties commonly cultivated throughout Indonesia.
Bourbon contributes sweetness, balance, and refined fruit character. Catimor provides resilience, structure, and adaptability to the region’s humid growing conditions. S795, an important variety in Indonesian coffee production, is recognized for its balanced sweetness, full body, and subtle spice.
Together, these varieties create a layered cup with ripe-fruit sweetness, cacao depth, tea-like structure, and a smooth, persistent finish.
PROCESS METHOD
Wet Hulled
Wet hulling, known locally as Giling Basah, is a processing method closely associated with Sumatra. After harvesting, ripe coffee cherries are pulped and briefly fermented before the remaining mucilage is washed away.
The parchment coffee is partially dried before its protective parchment layer is removed while the beans still contain relatively high moisture. The exposed beans are then dried to the appropriate export moisture level.
This process developed as a practical response to Sumatra’s humid climate and frequent rainfall. It shortens the drying period while creating the coffee’s characteristic full body, low acidity, earthy complexity, and deep sweetness.
DRYING METHOD
Patio & Mechanical Dried
After wet hulling, the exposed coffee beans are carefully dried until they reach a stable moisture level. Depending on weather conditions and the processing facility, drying may take place on patios, raised surfaces, or through controlled mechanical drying.
Careful moisture management is essential to preserve cup quality, stabilize the green coffee, and protect its distinctive aromatics, sweetness, and body.
HARVEST SEASON
October–December
The principal harvest in Bener Meriah typically takes place from October through December. Coffee cherries are selectively collected as they reach maturity and then delivered for pulping and wet-hulled processing.
Seasonal rainfall and elevation can affect the exact timing of the harvest. Careful cherry selection and timely processing help preserve sweetness, consistency, and the distinctive flavor characteristics of the region.
ROASTER
Probat P25
Each batch is carefully profiled on our Probat P25, with roast curves monitored through Cropster to maintain consistency within ±2°C. The moderate-medium roast develops the coffee’s rich body and natural sweetness while preserving its fruit, tea, cacao, and nut characteristics.
ROAST LEVEL
Moderate Medium
Balanced sweetness and increased body with enough development to highlight the coffee’s cacao and candied-nut character while preserving its regional identity.
| CLASSIFICATION |
AGTRON |
PROFILE |
NOTES |
| MODERATE LIGHT |
80–75 |
Highest origin expression |
Floral • Citrus • Honey • Tea-like |
| MODERATE MEDIUM |
65–60 |
Balanced sweetness and body |
Cane Sugar • Caramel • Stone Fruit |
| MODERATE DARK |
50–45 |
Increased roast development |
Cocoa • Nuts • Molasses |
CCR ROAST PHILOSOPHY
We intentionally roast to preserve origin character, producer impact, and processing expression.
HIGHER AGTRON → More Origin Character
LOWER AGTRON → More Roast Character
EXTRACTION METHOD
Filter & Espresso
The QC team calibrates this coffee for both filter and espresso extraction. As a filter coffee, expect a full-bodied cup with plum sweetness, black-tea structure, cacao depth, and a candied-walnut finish.
As espresso, it produces a rich, syrupy extraction with restrained acidity, deep chocolate character, and lasting nutty sweetness. Proper grind calibration is essential for achieving a balanced extraction.
BREW GUIDE
Kalita Wave 185
ADJUSTMENT GUIDE
-
Sharp or sour → grind slightly finer
-
Bitter or dry → grind slightly coarser
-
Weak or watery → increase extraction or grind finer
-
Heavy or overly intense → grind coarser or shorten the brew time
GRIND
| GRINDER |
SETTING |
| Mahlkönig EK43 |
8–9 |
| Fellow Ode Gen 2 |
4 |
| Comandante C40 |
22–24 |
| Baratza Encore |
16–18 |
RECIPE
STEPS:
0:00 — Bloom with 75g of water
0:45 — Pour to 200g
1:30 — Pour to 340g
2:15 — Final pour to 480g
Allow the coffee to drain completely. Expect a full-bodied and balanced cup with ripe plum, cacao nib, black tea, and lingering candied-walnut sweetness.
TOTAL BREW TIME: Approximately 4:00
