TYPES OF INDONESIA'S TOP EXPORT COFFEE

Coffee is one of the largest agricultural commodities in Indonesia and there are various types of the best and most delicious coffee produced by various regions. According to the Ministry of Agriculture's Agricultural Data and Information System Center, national coffee consumption during the 2016-2021 period is predicted to grow by an average of 8.22 percent per year.

In 2021, coffee supply is predicted to reach 795 thousand tons with consumption of 370 thousand tons, resulting in a surplus of 425 thousand tons.

With this high amount of coffee supply, Indonesia, as the fourth coffee producer in the world, exports a lot of coffee to foreign countries. There are various types of coffee produced with the best results from the western to eastern parts of Indonesia. Indonesia's climate and geographical location are suitable for coffee cultivation.

But not just bitter, each coffee has a different flavor and characteristics. Well, for you coffee lovers, let's find out what are the best Indonesian coffees?

1. Aceh Gayo Coffee

Gayo coffee is the best local coffee that is considered internationally (Photo: Anadolu Agency/Junaidi Hanafiah)

Aceh Gayo coffee thrives in the highlands of Bener Meriah Regency, Central Aceh, and the Gayo Lues region. Aceh is one of the largest regions producing arabica coffee beans as much as 40 percent of the total harvest in Indonesia.

One of the specialty coffees from Aceh is Ulee Kareng coffee. The name itself is taken from a place in Banda Aceh that is famous for its coffee. Its characteristic color is very thick.

Aceh's coffee beans come from a long process. Coffee beans are cooked in the oven for approximately 4 hours until they reach 80 percent maturity. After that, the coffee beans are added with sugar and butter in adjusted doses.

Based on international reviews, Gayo coffee has a unique flavor compared to other types of Arabica coffee. Besides being known for its unique, delicious, and not too bitter taste, it also smells very fragrant. The perfection of taste and aroma is what makes Gayo coffee one of the best and most expensive coffees in the world.

2. Toraja Coffee

Illustration of Toraja coffee. The beans originating from South Sulawesi have a distinctive aroma. (Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay)
In the 18th century, the coffee commodity became an important thing for the people of South Sulawesi. Enjoying coffee does not look at social class, anyone has the right to drink and enjoy this typical South Sulawesi coffee.

As the name implies, Toraja is the name of a place where this coffee is grown in South Sulawesi. The processing of this coffee uses the wet grinding method.

The distinctive aroma makes Toraja coffee famous domestically and internationally, and has even been widely distributed in Japan and America. Amazingly, Toraja coffee is now considered a premium drink, and has even been patented by a Japanese company called Key Coffee since 2005.

Considered one of the best types of coffee, Toraja coffee has two variants, namely Toraja Arabica and Toraja Robusta. Both have distinctive Indonesian coffee flavors and qualities, such as cinnamon or cardamom. The flavor is not overpowering and the aftertaste is soft and smooth on the palate.

3. Papua Wamena Coffee

Illustration of Papua coffee. Coffee from Papua has a floral sensation because it is grown without chemicals.

Coffee grown in the Baliem Valley of the Jayawijaya Mountains in Wamena is at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level (masl). The air temperature in Wamena ranges from 15-20 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal coffee-growing region. Tagulik Village, Bugi District, Jayawijaya Regency is one of the areas dominated by coffee farmers. Uniquely, this coffee is grown using traditional tools.

In addition, the soil is so fertile that planting it without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This makes Wamena coffee an organic coffee that is good for health. The aroma is also unique as it has a floral sensation which is possible due to cultivation without any chemicals. Wamena coffee has a distinctive aroma and soft texture. The flavor of Wamena coffee itself is mild and the acidity level is moderate.

 

4. Bali Kintamani Coffee

The world-renowned Bali Kintamani coffee is produced from arabica varieties grown in the highlands of Kintamani. (Photo: CNN Indonesia/Ardita Mustafa)
Bali's signature Kintamani coffee offers a bitter taste as well as a citrus flavor. Originally, it is said that Kintamani coffee farmers were neighbors with orange groves. A fresh aftertaste characterizes Bali's Kintamani coffee.

The processing of this coffee is done traditionally using the Balinese irrigation method. The manual processing brings out the stronger aroma of the coffee. The first taste of this coffee is bitter and slightly sour, the sweetness will be felt after sipping and flowing.

 

5. Flores Bajawa Coffee

Bajawa coffee is grown at an altitude of 1,000-1,550 meters above sea level (masl) in coffee plantations located in Ngada Regency, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Local people are mostly Bajawa coffee farmers. This Arabica coffee is a global favorite, characterized by a distinctive nutty and caramel flavor.

The aroma can tantalize everyone who inhales it. The texture of Bajawa coffee is also quite thick and slightly sour but still safe for the stomach.

How about you? Of the various types of Indonesia's best coffee, which one is your favorite?