Asian Coffee Producing Countries and Indonesia Coffee Region Characteristics Sharing

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee - Asian Coffee Producing Countries: Introduction to Indonesian Coffee Regions

The tropical and subtropical regions centered on the equator and within approximately 25 degrees north and south latitude are the most suitable areas for coffee cultivation. However, not every place within this region can cultivate quality coffee trees. The three major coffee cultivation areas within this zone are: Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. There are about sixty coffee-producing countries, with Central and South America accounting for approximately 60%, followed by Africa and Arabia at about 30%, while the remaining 10% is distributed across various Asian countries and islands. These regions share common characteristics such as similar temperatures, annual rainfall patterns, abundant sunlight, and fertile soil.

The Indonesian islands that cultivate coffee include: Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, Sumbawa, Flores, and Papua. Among these, Sumatra Island is Indonesia's primary coffee cultivation area, and the most famous Mandheling coffee comes from here. Sumatra Island is divided into two growing regions: first is Aceh in northern Sumatra, and second is Linton in the Lake Toba area of the central-southern region. The most renowned growing area in Aceh is the Gayo Mountains surrounding Lake Tawar, which is also the main Mandheling-producing region, with elevations between 1,100-1,300 meters. (Note: Mandheling is a coffee name, not a region, referring to Arabica coffee from northern Sumatra, named after the local Mandheling ethnic group).

The Linton growing region is located on the southwestern side of Lake Toba, Sumatra's largest lake, and is an important source of Indonesian specialty coffee. Java Island is the earliest island in Indonesia to cultivate coffee beans, introduced around the 16th century by the Dutch East India Company. Sulawesi Island is the growing region for another famous Indonesian coffee, "Toraja," located in the mountainous southern region of Sulawesi Island on the equator. Because the early Dutch colonialists brought Arabica raw beans, it became world-famous at that time as Celebes Kalossi. Later, when Japanese entrepreneurs entered Toraja, they improved the local coffee industry and quality, also making Toraja famous throughout Asia.

Famous representative Indonesian coffees include: Java, Sumatra Mandheling

Indonesia's coffee bean-producing areas are mainly concentrated on three islands: Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, all featuring volcanic terrain. Generally, Indonesian coffee beans are known for their rich aroma and low acidity, with slight herbal and earthy notes. The Mandheling produced in the mountainous regions of Sumatra is world-renowned for its rich texture. The Robusta beans from Java Island have a unique aroma and are often used as one of the blends for espresso due to their rich oil content. Sulawesi-produced coffee is noted for its special herbal aroma, deep and clean character.

Particularly interesting is that in the mountains of Indonesia, there is a special animal called the civet cat, which enables Indonesia to produce what is almost the world's most expensive coffee - civet cat coffee. This cat likes to eat coffee berries, and the hard coffee beans, being indigestible, are eventually excreted. During their passage through the digestive tract, the coffee beans undergo fermentation, producing a unique and complex aroma that many connoisseurs appreciate. However, due to extremely limited production, the price is extraordinarily high, reaching several hundred dollars per pound.

Knowledge Extension: In Indonesia, 90% of coffee is Robusta, likely a result of the devastating coffee leaf rust epidemic in the 19th century. However, in the Toraja region, 95% of coffee is Arabica.

About FrontStreet Coffee

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research establishment dedicated to sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unrestricted sharing aims to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three discounted coffee events monthly, because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices—this has been our mission for the past six years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473