Why Mocha Java Coffee is Expensive_How to Brew Java Coffee Beans_How Much Does Java Coffee Cost

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Java Mocha Coffee

Among the coffee-producing Asian countries, Indonesia is one that deserves significant attention. Indonesia is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, with its islands distributed on both sides of the equator. Three of these islands—Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi—produce globally important coffee. In the mid-17th century, the Dutch brought coffee trees to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Indonesia's Java. By the 18th century, Indonesia had become a major coffee producer, with its high-quality Arabica coffee almost entirely supplied to Europe. However, by the 19th century, the coffee rust disease that first appeared in Ceylon in 1869 also spread to Indonesia. By 1877, most coffee plantations on the Indonesian islands had been destroyed by rust disease, forcing the Dutch to introduce other coffee varieties from Africa, namely Robusta coffee. It is more resistant to pests and diseases but inferior in quality. Approximately 90% of Indonesian coffee is Robusta beans, with about 6.8 million bags annually, while less than 10% of the beans are Arabica coffee.

Indonesian-produced coffee is generally not labeled with "Indonesia" but rather directly with the island name, such as Java, Sumatra, etc.

Java Coffee Beans

Early Java coffee enjoyed widespread fame, referring to the Arabica coffee previously produced on Java island. It had a rich aroma, low acidity, and a smooth mouthfeel. When blended with Mocha coffee, the resulting "Java Mocha Blend" once became immensely popular, becoming synonymous with premium coffee and gaining widespread renown.

At that time, Java coffee sold to Europe was a very special coffee. Since it was transported to European and American countries by sailing ships, the long journey combined with slow sailing speeds meant considerable time was spent in transit. Under these conditions, the coffee underwent a special fermentation, resulting in a very distinctive flavor.

Later, when steamships replaced sailing ships, the shortened transportation time meant people could drink relatively fresh coffee beans. However, those accustomed to aged beans found this fresh flavor unfamiliar, so they desperately sought aged Java coffee, to the extent that the Indonesian government and some merchants deliberately stored fresh beans in warehouses for one to two years before selling them to consumers. In fact, compared to fresh beans, aged Java beans have reduced acidity approaching zero, while the aroma becomes even richer. Due to the longer storage time, costs increase significantly and quantities are limited, making aged Java consistently sought after in the coffee market. In the 1880s, unscrupulous merchants deliberately manipulated some fresh Guatemala or Venezuela beans to imitate aged Java for high-priced sales. Intolerably, these merchants used dyeing methods to make coffee beans look more like aged Java, but undoubtedly, the chemical dyes used were toxic.

Java produces only a small amount of Arabica beans, while most is Robusta coffee introduced from Africa after the rust disease disaster. This coffee exhibits strong bitterness after roasting but extremely light aroma. Although it has relatively low acidity and a delicate mouthfeel, it is rarely used for direct consumption and is often used for coffee blends or for making instant coffee.

Pests and diseases are truly formidable—they caused massive reductions in Brazilian coffee production and repeatedly influenced the international coffee market; they also caused Sri Lanka, once covered in coffee trees, to cut down coffee trees and switch entirely to tea; they also caused Java, once famous for high-quality Arabica coffee, to switch to Robusta coffee due to fear of pest and disease infestation. The precious Arabica Java coffee thus disappeared from people's view, and the once limitless favor and pursuit of Java coffee was completely lost.

Java Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

Indonesian honey-processed West Java coffee beans roasted by FrontStreet Coffee offer full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they offer extremely high value—at 100 grams per package, the price is only around 250. Calculated at 15 grams per single-origin coffee, one package can make 6 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 40-50. Compared to cafe prices that often exceed 100 yuan per cup, this represents exceptional value.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473