Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling – giling basah green coffee (1 kg)

Origin: Dolok Sanggul, Mandheling, North Sumatra
Producer: 323 small farmers
Growing altitude: 1 200-1 500 m
Varieties: Ateng Super, Catimor, Bourbon
Process: Giling basah (semi-washed)
Harvested: 2024/2025

In the Dolok Sanggul district of North Sumatra, among the fertile highlands surrounding Mandheling, 323 smallholder farmers work together to produce the lot that forms the basis of this green coffee. Mandheling – named after the Mandailing people who introduced coffee cultivation to the area in the 19th century – has become synonymous over the years with a distinctly Indonesian flavor profile: big body, earthy spiciness, and an ability to deliver power rather than finesse. Altitudes between 1,200 and 1,500 meters, a humid tropical climate and volcanic soil provide the conditions for high-density beans and an aroma that is markedly different from the Central American and African norm.

The lot consists of Ateng Super, Catimor and Bourbon varieties, and is processed using the local method of giling basah – a semi-washed process almost unique to Indonesia. The berries are pulped immediately after harvest, after which the beans are left in their mucilage for 24 hours before being washed and dried in two stages: first down to around 30-35% humidity, when the pergamino skin is peeled off while the bean is still soft, and then finally dried to the level ready for storage. It is this interruption in drying that gives giling basah coffee its characteristic blue-green color, huge body and signature spiciness. The raw coffee responds best to medium to dark roast, making it excellent for espresso, but also for those who want to add distinct spiciness and weight to a filter brew.

In the cup, this is a velvety and balanced coffee with rich hints of spice, an herbal note of sage and distinct nuances of dark chocolate. The sweetness tends towards dried plum, and the finish is long and delicate, with a lingering warmth that makes each cup an experience. A green coffee for the home roaster who seeks the Indonesian expression in its most classic form – and who wants a versatile batch that can withstand both the pressure of the espresso machine and the nuances of the filter.

This green coffee arrived at the roastery on August 22, 2025 and is from the 2024/2025 harvest