Today's coffee, Day 22 of Advent, an Indonesian Gilling Basah coffee by Stewarts coffee roasters
The Roaster:
Their story starts with Nottingham coffee visionary Stewart Falconer, hand roasting coffee in the 80’s, before the word “artisan” even existed. After a few cups of the good stuff during his travels abroad, he made it his mission to make quality coffee the norm, not the exception. They’re proud to carry on his tradition, and the original roaster he bought for the job all those years ago is still a part of the furniture today.
Coffee Name:
Hutan, Sumtra Coffee
Producer: Ketiara, KOPEPI
Origin:
Sumatra, Indonesia
Process:
Gilling Basah
Altitude:
1350 – 1700 masl
Varieties:
Various
Tasting notes:
Smooth, boozy and fudgy caramel taste notes, intertwined with hints of dark fruits.
Roaster's note:
Our Coffee of the Month comes from the highlands of Sumatra, Indonesia and is unique in terms of its appearance and exotic flavours. Hutan, Sumatra is a remarkable single-origin coffee that celebrates community collaboration and environmental care. The producer KOPEPI, led by Rahmah Ketiara, have established a well respected reputation for Fair Trade coffee since the group started exporting back in 2013. Spread across 19 villages in the Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah regions of Sumatra, they have continually pushed for improvements and are community minded. This particular coffee was created with KOPEPI and DRW to fund protection of the local forests where this coffee is grown. Hutan coffee is sourced from smallholder farmers across the Bies, Gegarang, Jagong, and Bintang areas, with 70% made up of women producers. The Bies region serves as the focal point for this project, where trees funded by Hutan Coffee are thoughtfully planted to preserve the forest's ecosystem and provide additional income for local communities. For the income generating trees this will include avocado, banana, orange, and durian. Enjoy Hutan Coffee as you savour the essence of Sumatra's unique biodiversity and support a noble cause in every cup. Hutan, Sumtra Coffee Our Coffee of the Month is known for its delicious smooth, boozy and fudgy caramel taste notes, intertwined with hints of dark fruits. Situated 1350 to 1700 metres above sea level, the coffee grown in this climate benefits from the elevation for flavour development.
These beans have a blend of diverse Arabica varieties from different altitudes which represent the heart of Sumatra. Hutan Coffee goes through a captivating journey that begins with harvesting red cherries in the morning, which are later transported to the wet mill and meticulously pulped in the late afternoon. The beans undergo a tank fermentation for 12-24 hours, followed by a thorough washing process and sun-dried to achieve a moisture content of 30%. At this point, they are taken to the wet hull facility where they continue sun-drying, reaching the ideal moisture level of around 12.5%. The journey continues with a commitment to quality. Hand-picking, density sorting, and meticulous sampling and testing ensure that only the finest beans make the cut. The wet hull process, also known as giling basah in Indonesia, results in a unique flavour profile that is now commonly associated with Sumatran coffee. The harvest season spans from September to June, ensuring that every cup of this coffee encapsulates the essence of this exquisite region.
Brewing Tips:
This coffee is versatile and can be enjoyed using both filter and espresso methods.
