Coffee cultivation in Indonesia began in the late 17th century during Dutch colonization and has played a major role in the country’s development ever since. Today, more than 300 years later, Indonesia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, growing both Arabica and Robusta. The vast majority of coffee is grown by small-scale farmers, who rarely own more than 2 hectares of land. ‎
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Indonesia is made up of around 18,000 islands, of which ten large ones have become major coffee regions. The westernmost island of Sumatra straddles the equator and is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. The specialty coffee from this region comes from central Sumatra, particularly the area around Kerinci Seblat National Park. This area is home to lush tropical rainforest and one of the last strongholds of the Sumatran tiger. ‎
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Mount Kerinci, the country’s highest volcano at 3,800 metres, dominates the landscape. Once at the summit, hikers can enjoy fantastic views of forested valleys and green farmland. In the Kerinci highlands, small farms surround the volcano, taking advantage of the high altitude and fertile volcanic soil. ‎
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An example of such producers is the Kamintoran Cooperative, which has 162 members. The cooperative grows S-Lini and Caturra coffees in the villages of Jernih Jaya, Kersik Tuo, Gunung Tuyuh and Lindung Jaya. The coffee berries undergo natural processing: after being hand-sorted, they are carefully dried in the sun. The result is a very sweet cup of coffee with fruity and rum notes.