Learn About the Production Area!: Indonesia Edition

In our "Know Your Origin" series, we've introduced African producing countries, but now we'd like to shift our focus to Japan's neighbors! When you hear "coffee," many people might think of Latin America or Africa, but Asian producing countries are just as strong. Asian-grown coffee, with its unique flavors not found in other regions, captivates many. This time, we will introduce Indonesia, which boasts the most islands in the world, as an Asian coffee-producing country!

Production Overview

Indonesia is an archipelago of many islands. Due to a history where Arabica coffee was wiped out by disease and disaster in this country, robusta coffee, which is resistant to disease, is widely cultivated. Nevertheless, Indonesian Arabica coffee is known as Mandheling coffee and is enjoyed by many. Let's look at the production overview of Indonesia, one of Asia's leading producing countries!

Production Volume

Based on data from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) again, Indonesia's total coffee production in 2018 was 10.2 million bags, or 612,000 tons by weight. It ranks second in Asia after Vietnam and boasts the fourth-largest production volume in the world. Looking at global production, about 6% of coffee comes from Indonesia. However, since robusta varieties are primarily cultivated in Indonesia, the situation changes slightly when considering by variety.

Sumatran Wet-Hull Process

In Indonesia, during the refining process, they use the Sumatran wet-hull process called *Giling Basah*. This processing method was developed in Indonesia to reduce drying time due to heavy rain and because water is a precious resource, and the process is similar to pulped natural. After depulping, the coffee is partially dried with the mucilage still intact. It is then hulled before being fully dried, and finally, the final drying takes place. A distinctive feature is that the green beans finish with a unique deep green color.

Main Production Areas

Indonesia is an archipelago of over 14,000 islands, and there are slight differences in varieties and other aspects from island to island. Let's focus on the main production regions of Sumatra and Sulawesi.

Sumatra Island

Sumatra accounts for over 70% of Indonesia's coffee production, with much of it being robusta. Aceh Province and Lintong are famous, and the term *"Mandheling," which is often discussed in coffee circles, refers to Arabica coffee grown in northern Sumatra*. Sumatran coffee is characterized by a distinctive heavy mouthfeel and the appealing flavors of cedar and spices. The cultivation ratio is about 70% robusta and about 30% Arabica, including Typica and Bourbon varieties, with the harvest season from October to March.

Sulawesi Island

Although it accounts for less than 10% of total production, Sulawesi Island has the largest cultivation volume of Arabica coffee, with the harvest season from July to September. The cultivation ratio is about 10% robusta and about 90% Arabica, which is the exact opposite of other islands. Famous producing regions are Toraja and Kalossi, which are often used on Indonesian coffee packaging.