Lake Toba

Lake Toba

Lake Toba is located in the Sumatra region of Indonesia, a well-known area for coffee cultivation. Coffee enthusiasts and professionals frequently visit this region to engage with local coffee producers, many of whom have been growing coffee for generations. The coffee industry here includes both larger cooperatives and smaller family-owned farms, each contributing to the region’s rich coffee heritage.

One of the defining characteristics of Sumatra coffee is its unique processing method, known as wet hulling or Giling Basah. This technique sets Sumatran coffee apart from other processing methods used worldwide. The process begins with the harvesting of ripe coffee cherries from the trees. Once picked, the outer skin (pulp) is removed, exposing the beans inside. At this stage, the beans remain covered in their mucilage and undergo a brief fermentation process, which enhances the coffee’s distinct flavors.

After fermentation, the beans are washed to remove excess mucilage. However, unlike other methods that allow coffee beans to dry completely before further processing, the wet-hulling technique involves drying the beans only to a moisture content of around 30%. At this stage, the beans are still soft and pliable. The parchment layer surrounding the beans is then removed through hulling, and the beans continue drying until they reach the ideal moisture level of approximately 12%.

This unique method of processing results in a characteristic bluish-green hue of the beans, a signature trait of wet-hulled coffee. Following this, the beans are typically stored for a few weeks to allow their flavors to mature and develop further, adding to the coffee’s overall complexity.

Origin Country: Indonesia
Region: Sumatra