Sumatra, Mandheling

Flavor Profile: Herbal, Chocolate, Clean Earthy, Woody Notes, Spicy

Certifications: Organic, Fair Trade

Origin: Batak Region of West-Central Sumatra, Aceh,

Background Story: 

In Sumatra, the second-largest island in the Republic of Indonesia, Mandheling coffees are grown on the lofty, volcanic slopes of Mount Leuser, near the port of Padang in west-central Sumatra. The name doesn't reference a place, though, but rather honors the Mandailing people, an ethnic group in the Batak area who go by this second spelling.

Giling Basah is the traditional Sumatran method of processing coffee. It involves hulling parchment at roughly 50 percent moisture content, versus the 10 to 12 percent moisture that's common elsewhere. This unusual practice results in a trademark flavor profile—a light acidity, lingering richness, and earthy, spicy and chocolate notes.

Utamagro set up a cooperative in Aceh called Koperasi Utamagro Tani Gayo, which exclusively supplies coffee to Utamagro. Utamagro Tani Gayo engages youth from the district, who come from all backgrounds and experiences. The founders were motivated to form a youth initiative within the co-op to address the lack of economic opportunities for young people in the area. The co-op’s primary focus is to advance the economic welfare of its members, as well as to educate them in how to properly run the co-operative. This means means looking out for “the welfare of members in particular and society in general.”