Description

About the Origin: Indonesia is composed of over 17,000 volcanic islands strung along the equator between Australia to the south and Indochina to the north. The larger chunks of this exotic tropical wonderland are known as Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes and the western half of New Guinea. Java (Indonesian: Jawa); is an island of Indonesia. It is the 13th largest island in the world and the fifth largest in Indonesia. Java lies between Sumatra to the west and Bali to the east. Java coffee is grown mostly in East Java a stones-throw from Bali. Java is almost entirely of volcanic origin; it contains thirty-eight mountains, forming an east–west spine, that at one time or another have been active volcanoes.

The main coffee region is between Mount Raung and Mount Ijen. Java’s Arabica coffee production is centered on the Ijen Plateau, at the eastern end of Java, at an altitude of more than 1,400 meters. The coffee is primarily grown on large estates built by the Dutch in the 18th century. The five largest are Blawan (also spelled Belawan or Blauan), Jampit (or Djampit), Pancoer (or Pancur), Kayumas and Tugosari, covering in all more than 4,000 hectares.

These estates transport ripe cherries quickly to their mills after harvest. The pulp is then fermented and washed off, using the wet process that is considerably different than the process used in Sumatra. This results in a low acidity coffee with good, heavy body and a sweet overall impression. They are sometimes rustic in their flavor profiles, but display a lasting finish. At their best, they are smooth and supple and sometimes have a delicate herbaceous note in the aftertaste.

Much of Indonesian history took place on Java. It was the center of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, the Islamic sultanates, and the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies. Java was also the center of the Indonesian struggle for independence during the 1930s and 1940s. Java dominates Indonesia politically, economically and culturally.

Java was the first place where Indonesian coffee was grown, starting in 1699.  Java coffee refers to coffee beans produced in the Indonesian island of Java. The Indonesian phrase Kopi Jawa refers not only to the origin of the coffee, but also to the popular style of a strong, black, and very sweet coffee prepared and served in Java.

Dutch East India Company set their foothold on Batavia in the 17th century and was succeeded by Netherlands East Indies in the 18th century. During these colonial times, the Dutch introduced the cultivation of several commercial plants in Java, such as sugarcane, rubber, coffee, tea, and quinine.

In the 19th and early 20th century, Javanese coffee gained global popularity. Thus, the name “Java” has become a synonym for coffee. In some countries “Java” can refer to any coffee in general.

SULAWESI TORAJA GREEN COFFEE BEANS