Indonesia West Java Specialty Coffee Region - Honey Process West Java Coffee Brewing Flavor Characteristics

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When mentioning Indonesian coffee, people first think of Mandheling coffee. Mandheling coffee refers to coffee from Sumatra Island, characterized by its mellow flavor and low acidity, deeply loved by many coffee connoisseurs. Among the Indonesian coffees available at FrontStreet Coffee, besides Mandheling coffee from Sumatra, there is also another coffee bean from West Java. Coffee beans from West Java have completely different flavor characteristics from Mandheling. In this article, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce everyone to this specially flavored Indonesian coffee bean.

Coffee Information

Name: Indonesia West Java Imani

Region: Mount Tangkuban Perahu, West Java

Altitude: 1400-1600m

Variety: S795 Jember

Processing Method: Natural Honey Process

Coffee Growing Region

West Java Province is a first-level administrative division of Indonesia, located in the western part of Java Island. It borders the Java Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the south, and includes nearshore islands, covering an area of 46,300 square kilometers. Java has a tropical rainforest climate, remaining hot and humid throughout the year. The plain areas along the northern coast have the highest temperatures, while mountainous areas are much cooler. High humidity often creates a debilitating climate. From November to March of the following year is the northwest monsoon period, with more rain and clouds; from April to October is the southeast monsoon period, with more sunny days and less rainfall. Jakarta's average annual rainfall is about 1,760 millimeters (69 inches). Jakarta's average daily high temperature is 30°C (86°F), with a low of 23°F (74°F). In the highlands of Tosari (altitude 1,735 meters [5,692 feet]), the average temperature ranges from 22-8°C (72-47°F). Java's soil is very fertile because volcanic ash periodically fertilizes the land.

Java holds an extremely important position in coffee history. Unlike most other Indonesian coffees that grow on small farms for initial processing, Java's Arabica coffee grows on large farms or plantations, mostly operated by the government, all using modern methods for washed processing. The variety belongs to S795, locally called Jember, which is artificially cultivated. FrontStreet Coffee chose to offer this coffee bean because it can express the delicate aroma of the Java growing region, with relatively soft acidity, fine texture, and good balance. The fragrance and acidity of Java coffee are superior to coffees from Sumatra and Sulawesi islands.

Java Coffee Bean Varieties

S795 beans have a blue-green color. Their natural variation originates from S288, and S288 was originally an excellent hybrid variety cultivated by India in 1946. The predecessor of S288 came from the S288 (first generation) and Typica hybrid, named S26. Because the first generation of S288 beans was a hybrid of Arabica and Liberica, it always carried Liberica's earthy flavor. Indian botanists then hybridized the first generation S288 with the Kent variety (itself a hybrid of S288 first generation and Typica) and the second generation S288 to create the current S795.

The S795 grown in West Java was introduced from India by the Jember Coffee Research Center in East Java and given to Java farmers for cultivation, so local Java farmers directly call S795 "Jember."

Coffee Bean Processing Method - Honey Process

Honey processing is a relatively complex, time-consuming, and difficult processing method. The first step is to select high-quality fruits, then remove the pulp while leaving the endocarp - this endocarp is the core of honey processing. The endocarp contains rich sugars and acids, and during the drying process, sweetness and acidity slowly penetrate into the coffee beans. The second step is drying, which is also the most important condition for producing high-quality coffee beans. The honey processing method allows coffee to retain the cleanliness of washed processing. Although the brightness of the coffee decreases, it increases sweetness and caramel flavors. According to different degrees of honey processing, honey-processed coffee is divided into yellow honey, red honey, and black honey processing.

FrontStreet Coffee believes that honey-processed coffee beans have better flavor, with balanced acidity and sweetness, and like natural processing because it undergoes sun drying, the natural aroma of the coffee beans is also amplified, with a rich mellow taste.

FrontStreet Coffee Roasting Records

FrontStreet Coffee's roasters noticed that West Java green beans have high density, so heat adjustment must be particularly careful. To highlight fruit flavors and sweetness, medium roast is chosen to fully express the uniqueness of the green beans. After 1 minute, the initial heat will be relatively high, until the heat is adjusted early in the dehydration stage, making the coffee's taste and aroma uniform.

FrontStreet Coffee Cupping Report

Through cupping, FrontStreet Coffee found that the main characteristic of this bean lies in its complex sweetness and fruit aroma. Compared to African Yirgacheffe, which is also famous for its floral notes, more prominent fruit flavors are its main characteristic. Its flavor profile leans toward heavier tropical fruits like mango and jackfruit, complex and deep, while the unique honey processing method brings a subtle red wine nuance.

FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Recommendations

Water Temperature: 90-91°C

Grind Size: BG#6m (fine sugar size / 80% pass through #20 sieve)

Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:15

Coffee Amount: 15 grams

FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Method:

First pour 30 grams of water for a 30-second bloom, then pour 95 grams (electronic scale shows about 125 grams), finishing in about 1 minute. When the water level drops to 2/3 of the coffee bed, pour the remaining 100 grams (electronic scale shows about 225 grams), finishing in about 1 minute and 40 seconds. Complete dripping at 2'00", remove the filter cone, and finish extraction.

Brewing Flavor: Very rich tropical fruit flavors, sweetness from fruits like mango and jackfruit, with fermented red wine notes.

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee on private WeChat, ID: kaixinguoguo0925

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473