A Brief History of Indonesian Coffee: Introduction to Three Major Growing Regions and Which Indonesian Coffee Offers the Best Value

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In the coffee world, there has been ongoing debate about the world's three major producing regions. Some say it's Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia, while others argue it's Brazil, Colombia, and Africa. However, in reality, Indonesia has the largest coffee cultivation area in the world. Despite this, due to low production efficiency and stagnant output growth, Indonesian coffee has never gained its rightful status.

The status of coffee in Indonesia is much like that of tea in China—it can be described as having a long and profound history. Coffee culture is also an important component of Indonesian culture, deeply penetrating every corner of Indonesian life. Whether it's drivers rushing on the road, white-collar workers working overtime late at night, businessmen traveling far and wide, or friends gathering in joyful conversation—from royalty and nobility down to common merchants and street vendors—everyone enjoys it.

Brief History of Indonesian Coffee

In 1696, the then-Dutch governor of Jakarta planted the first coffee seedlings, which were unfortunately destroyed by floods.

In 1699, they were planted again successfully, and in 1701, the first harvest was welcomed, beginning Indonesia's centuries-long coffee journey.

In 1711, Indonesian coffee began supplying the European market, and until the 1880s, it became the world's largest coffee export destination at that time.

However, by the late 18th century, a leaf rust disease swept through coffee plantations, and Indonesia's leading position in coffee trade was ultimately replaced by the Americas.

As of 2015, according to statistics from Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture, approximately 955,000 hectares of coffee plantations across Indonesia were still in production, with 1.9 million farming households relying on this for their livelihood. 92% of coffee production comes from individual farmers, with only 8% originating from state-owned plantations.

Three Major Producing Regions

Indonesia is known as the country of a thousand islands. Among these large and small islands, the three most renowned coffee-producing regions are: Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.

Java

The earliest region in Indonesia to cultivate coffee, the famous Java Mocha is made by blending Java coffee with Yemen Mocha, representing the coffee impression of an era. Although Java coffee only accounts for about one-tenth of Indonesia's total coffee production, it remains an important component of Indonesia's specialty coffee as a fine variety with acidity and distinctive bitterness.

Sumatra

It is Indonesia's largest coffee-producing region. Its elongated terrain and hot, rainy climate provide extremely favorable natural conditions for coffee growth. The most famous "Gentleman's Coffee—Mandheling" is produced here. Mandheling coffee has a rich and solid taste with pleasant acidity. At the same time, it has a mellow aroma, moderate acidity, and a very intriguing sweetness, making it suitable for dark roasting.

Sulawesi

Yes, this is the place we often mention—Manado and Bunaken. Manado is precisely the capital of Sulawesi. Sulawesi is affected by continental plate compression, with elevations above 500 meters, and is divided into two provinces, north and south. Sulawesi coffee beans are the most elegant-tasting Indonesian coffee, possessing rich, deep, and abundant aromas, extremely low acidity, mellow and smooth texture that is gentle and easy to drink, with earthy herbal notes. Therefore, it's natural that they are welcomed by the Japanese market. Our 1° Red Coffee comes precisely from such a uniquely blessed geographical environment.

World's Unique Convergence Here

You must have heard of Kopi Luwak, one of the world's most expensive coffees. This is because the local civet cats in Indonesia love to eat fresh coffee beans, and only the mature, sweet, plump, and juicy coffee beans can win their favor. These beans undergo fermentation and digestion within their bodies and are eventually excreted as feces. This feces has also become the world's most expensive excrement. Due to its rarity, the price is high.

Indonesian Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

The Indonesian coffee beans roasted by FrontStreet Coffee—[West Java Honey Process Coffee]—have full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, the cost-performance ratio is extremely high. A half-pound (227g) package costs only about 118 yuan. Calculating at 15g of coffee powder per cup, one package can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 7 yuan. Compared to coffee shops selling cups for tens of yuan each, this can be called a conscientious recommendation.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online shop 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