About This Coffee
EK1 Grade 1 coffee from Lampung, Sumatra, represents the pinnacle of Indonesia's Robusta production, which constitutes over 65% of the country’s total Robusta output. Grown at elevations of 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level, these beans are uniquely intercropped with black pepper under shade trees, known for their large size. This coffee, harvested from June to September, undergoes a natural processing method by local farmers who manage small, average-sized farms of 2 hectares, yielding 1 to 1.5 tons per hectare. After drying and milling, the beans travel from Bandar Lampung to Java's roasters, presenting a profile of light acidity, medium body, and hints of cocoa, roasted nuts, and spices.
Cultivation
This coffee is grown on the foothills of the mountain range that runs from South Western Sumatra to North Western Sumatra at an elevation of 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level. The coffee is often intercropped with black pepper and the use of shade trees is common. Various pockets within this region are well known for their exceptionally large bean size.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
This coffee has been processed using the Natural method whereas Java typically produces pulped naturals. Farmers harvest, dry and mill their coffee themselves, then sell the unsorted coffee to networks of traders who bring it to the town of Bandar Lampung for dry milling. From here, exporters ship through the Port of Panjang or truck the coffee over to Java (using a ferry) where most of Indonesia's local roasters are located.
Coffee in Indonesia
Indonesia has a long coffee producing history, but recently their coffees have been overlooked by the specialty market. Thanks to our innovative and ever-expanding supply chain, we are proud to bring you high-quality coffees from many of Indonesia’s unique regions, accompanied by in-depth traceability information.
Indonesia is perhaps best known for its unique wet hulling process (giling basah). Though its exact origins are unclear, wet hulling most likely originated in Aceh during the late 1970s.
Wet hulling’s popularity can be attributed to producers’ need for prompt payments. It was also adopted specifically by many producers who lacked the drying infrastructure that was needed to shelter drying parchment from the high humidity and inconsistent rainfall typical in Sumatra. At higher elevations with constant humidity and unpredictable rainfall, drying can prove to be slow, risky and difficult.