About the coffee
- Cupping notes: Full body, low acidity, notes of cherry, dark chocolate, with foresty finish, roasted at full medium
- Cultivation: High grown in volcanic loam in Bener Meriah highlands in Aceh, West-Central Sumatra
- Altitude: 4,250-5,200 feet
- Tree type: Adsenia (TimTim)
- Preparation: Giling Basah (wet-hulled), patio sun-dried
About the people who grow it
The Ketiara Cooperative in Aceh province may be the only woman-led coffee cooperative in Indonesia. It was founded by current chairwoman Ibu Rahmah and Lina Nuriah is General Manager. Rahmah’s father began working in the coffee industry more than 20 years ago, and Rahmah was actively involved in the family business most of that time. She learned the industry by locally trading coffee and supplying exporters in the capital. In 2009 Rahmah established the coop to help organize the farmers in her region, starting with 38 members. Today’s membership totals nearly 1,000. The cooperative has created programs for women’s health and educational courses.
A small group of members from the Ketiara Cooperative live in the Bener Meriah highlands area that produces coffee from the Adsenia varietal, one of the oldest coffee varietals in Aceh. Many of these producers are women who unfortunately lost their husbands in the 2003 civil war. They have persevered in a male-dominated culture and industry to produce this bold cupping coffee.
The cooperative is also passionate about protecting the environment. Their growing area is surrounded by Gunung Leuser National Park, a habitat of important mammals, birds, primates, and thousand of species of flora. It is also one of the few remaining habitats of Sumatra Orangutans.
This coffee is processed at a large mill near Takengon, by a meticulous wet-hulled method following international standards, and is certified organic by a Dutch agency. It is “triple-picked,” meaning the coffee cherries are hand-sorted three times, as opposed to the standard single or double sorting. This ensures a better processed coffee with fewer defects, and a cleaner, brighter cup profile than the typical Mandheling profile.
A small group of members from the Ketiara Cooperative live in the Bener Meriah highlands area that produces coffee from the Adsenia varietal, one of the oldest coffee varietals in Aceh. Many of these producers are women who unfortunately lost their husbands in the 2003 civil war. They have persevered in a male-dominated culture and industry to produce this bold cupping coffee.
The cooperative is also passionate about protecting the environment. Their growing area is surrounded by Gunung Leuser National Park, a habitat of important mammals, birds, primates, and thousand of species of flora. It is also one of the few remaining habitats of Sumatra Orangutans.
This coffee is processed at a large mill near Takengon, by a meticulous wet-hulled method following international standards, and is certified organic by a Dutch agency. It is “triple-picked,” meaning the coffee cherries are hand-sorted three times, as opposed to the standard single or double sorting. This ensures a better processed coffee with fewer defects, and a cleaner, brighter cup profile than the typical Mandheling profile.
