Introduction to Indonesian Peaberry Coffee Varieties - Are the Characteristics of Mandheling Coffee Beans Defined by Their Processing Method?

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Mandheling Coffee

Mandheling grows on the world's sixth largest island—Sumatra. With a tropical rainforest climate, the island boasts dense tropical vegetation and a pristine environment. It faces the Malay Peninsula across the Malacca Strait to the northeast, borders the Indian Ocean to the west, and is adjacent to the South China Sea and Java Island to the east, with southeastern connections to Java Island.

The English name for Mandheling is Mandheling. Mandheling coffee is renowned worldwide and is primarily cultivated and processed in northern Sumatra. This coffee bean is named after the local indigenous group called Mandheling and represents one of Sumatra's most important coffees.

The origin of Mandheling coffee beans mainly traces back to World War II, when a Japanese soldier stationed on Sumatra was offered a drink by locals—what we now know as Mandheling coffee. After finding it quite enjoyable, he asked the Sumatran natives what kind of coffee it was. However, the Sumatran resident mistakenly thought he was asking about her identity and origin, so she replied "Mandheling." Later, after this name was introduced to Japan, it spread locally and eventually became recognized as the generic name for coffee produced in northern Sumatra—characterized by low acidity and made from blended beans. Subsequently, merchants from various countries began inquiring about purchasing this Mandheling coffee.

What is Wet-Hulling?

This is a unique coffee bean processing method created by Indonesians that can express the distinctive flavors of Indonesian coffee. To be more specific, wet-hulling is a semi-wet, semi-dry processing method. It primarily involves removing the outer skin and pulp of coffee cherries, then temporarily not washing them, allowing the external mucilage to ferment with the coffee beans for about one day. Then, water is used to remove the mucilage, followed by direct sun-drying. The "wet" in wet-hulling comes from not drying the beans completely during sun-drying—leaving about 30-40% moisture content. Next, the outer shell of the coffee beans is removed, making them ready for sale. Processing coffee in this manner results in lower acidity compared to washed beans, and the coffee flavor becomes richer and more mellow—this is Indonesia's unique characteristic.

Bali's specialty peaberry coffee costs approximately $75-85 (sold in packs of 6), equivalent to about 500-600 RMB. This so-called Bali peaberry coffee is actually locally produced round bean coffee—simply small round beans selected from numerous coffee beans. If purchasing Yunnan peaberry (round beans) domestically, the same weight would cost only 100-200 RMB.

Knowledge Extension

"Mandheling" is neither a place name, region name, port name, nor a variety name. Instead, it is a phonetic error of the Mandailing ethnic group living on Sumatra Island.

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