Buy this week’s featured Single Origin and receive half off any regular blend.
This Saturday Feb 14th we are featuring Sumatra, Gayo! What makes Sumatra so great?! This coffee is typically characterized by its rich, earthy flavor with notes of dark chocolate, spices such as clove or nutmeg, and herbal undertones. Modern natural-processed versions may present fruit-forward notes like stone fruit, berry, and banana.
Body & Acidity: Gayo coffee is celebrated for its thick, syrupy mouthfeel and very low acidity. This makes it gentle on the stomach and ideal for those who prefer less “bright” or “sour” coffees.
featured on espresso! See you TOMORROW!
Take a Deeper dive, below!
Key Characteristics
Flavor Profile: This coffee is typically characterized by its rich, earthy flavor with notes of dark chocolate, spices such as clove or nutmeg, and herbal undertones. Modern natural-processed versions may present fruit-forward notes like stone fruit, berry, and banana.
Body & Acidity: Gayo coffee is celebrated for its thick, syrupy mouthfeel and very low acidity. This makes it gentle on the stomach and ideal for those who prefer less “bright” or “sour” coffees.
Growing Environment: The coffee is grown at high altitudes (1,100–1,800 meters) in fertile volcanic soil, often under shade canopies near Gunung Leuser National Park.
Traditional Processing (Giling Basah)
The hallmark of Sumatran coffee is the wet-hulling method, locally known as Giling Basah. Unlike standard methods where coffee is dried to 10-12% moisture before hulling, Sumatran farmers remove the parchment layer while the beans are still at 30-50% moisture. This unique process exposes the moist beans directly to the air, creating the coffee’s signature deep green color and developing its characteristic earthy, rustic flavors.
Best Brewing Methods
Due to its bold intensity and heavy body, Gayo coffee is exceptionally well-suited for:
- French Press: This method highlights the syrupy texture and complex earthy notes.
- Espresso: Provides a dense crema and a strong backbone for milk-based drinks like lattes and mochas.
- Cold Brew: The naturally low acidity results in a smooth, chocolatey flavor.