A Guide for Top 5 Sumatra Coffee

How would you rate Sumatra coffee based on the taste profile? The coffee beans have an earthy, chocolatey flavor and low acidity. We have a review of the top 5 Sumatra coffee to use for coffee brewing. 

So, if you’ve come across the Arabica coffee but have not tasted it yet, here’s your chance to make a selection. You can use Sumatra coffee beans, ground coffee, or single-serve pods for coffee brewing. 

Besides, you can buy Sumatra coffee from Starbucks. Let’s discover more about this coffee. 

Last update on 2023-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Is Sumatra Coffee

Selecting the best coffee brand for a beginner can be overwhelming. Sumatra is one of the top coffee brands with 100% Arabica coffee. 

Sumatra coffee is grown in Indonesia on Sunda Island. It is known for its unique processing method and low acidity. 

Sunda Island is on the equator. The area has sun, rain, and balanced soil perfect for Arabica coffee farming. 

A contributing factor to the taste of the coffee beans is the favorable climate and processing method. Unlike other coffee farmers who pick coffee and ship it to a warehouse, Sumatra coffee farmers use the wet hulling method to process the coffee beans. 

Sumatra Coffee Processing Method

Sumatra coffee farmers use the wet hulling method to process the coffee beans. In Indonesia, it is referred to as ‘giling basah.’ It’s a traditional method of processing coffee that is very effective.

So, why is it unique? The coffee farmers pick the coffee cherries from the coffee trees. They use a hulling machine to remove the skin from the coffee cherries. The coffee beans are left to soak in water overnight and later sun-dried. 

After sun-drying, the coffee beans retain about 12% of the moisture. They are shipped to a coffee warehouse for further drying. After roasting, the coffee beans are packed and ready for selling. 

Growing Regions For Sumatra Coffee

Sumatra coffee is from 3 regions – Mandheling, Lintong, and Gayo. Let’s have a quick overview of these areas:

Mandheling

Mandheling coffee is grown in the west-central region near Pandang. It is named after the Mandailing people, a local tribe. 

Mandheling coffee is considered the best Sumatra coffee. The low acidity coffee has a chocolatey flavor. It has herbal taste notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The roast level of the coffee is a medium or dark roast. 

Lintong

Lintong coffee has low acidity and is grown near Lake Toba in the north-central region of the Sumatra island. It has a complex aroma and an earthy flavor. 

Gayo

Gayo coffee has different flavors. It is one of the best coffee in Sumatra. It has an intense and dense flavor that is different from Sumatran coffee blends. Gayo coffee is grown under a shade and requires a long period to mature. 

Best Sumatra Coffee for Coffee Lovers

Now that you already know what Sumatra coffee is and the flavor profile to expect, are you ready to have a taste test? 

You can buy coffee from a coffee shop or order Sumatra coffee beans for fresh coffee brewing. So, let’s get straight to the best Sumatra coffee for coffee brewing. 

Sumatra Coffee K-cups – Starbucks

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Starbucks is a major purchaser of Sumatra coffee. It’s the coffee shop to go to when you’re looking for this coffee.  

The K-cups are compatible with Keurig brewers, and you can select from a pack of 24, 10, or 40 single-serve pods. The single-origin coffee has a dark roast.

The Starbucks Sumatra K-cups come in a pack of 4. The 100% Arabica coffee has tasting notes of rustic spice and rich herbs. Sumatra coffee is packed in recyclable K-cup pods. 

For a quality cup of joe, you can add your favorite additives like coffee creamers, milk, or honey. You can buy Starbucks Sumatra whole bean coffee, ground, or single-serve pods. 

Copper Moon Sumatra Blend Coffee Beans

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

There’s a taste difference when you brew coffee using ground coffee and coffee beans. Whole coffee beans remain fresh for longer than pre-ground coffee. 

Copper Moon coffee beans have an earthy aroma and herbal notes mixed with roasted almonds. The caffeinated Sumatra coffee beans are 100% Arabica and Kosher certified. 

The brand packs the coffee beans in single batches for coffee lovers to grind and use for coffee brewing. The coffee beans are evenly roasted for coffee lovers to enjoy smooth and high-grade coffee. 

Copper Moon coffee Sumatra blend sources coffee beans from 5 continents and 17 countries. The brand roasts the green coffee beans in small batches from a light, medium and dark roast. 

Starbucks Dark Roast Ground Coffee

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There’s so much convenience in brewing your cup of joe. You can have as much coffee as you want, brew it any time, and add your favorite additives. 

With the ground coffee, you will experience the taste of Starbucks coffee from your home. It’s best for coffee lovers who prefer dark roast coffee. 

Starbucks Dark Roast ground coffee is 100% Arabica and Kosher certified. You can use the ground coffee for cold brew coffee brewing. 

Sumatra coffee Starbucks has an earthy aroma and taste notes of rich herbs and rustic spice. 

Green Mountain Coffee – Sumatra Reserve

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Green Mountain Sumatra reserve K-cup pods have a dark roast. They are perfect for Keurig coffee brewers. 

The K-cup pods have 100% Arabica coffee, certified by USDA Organic and FairTrade. A single-pack has 24 K-cups. Brewing coffee with a single-serve brewer is fast and convenient. 

The caffeinated coffee pods have spice notes and a sweet palate of brown sugar. The coffee pods are compatible with the new Keurig 2.0 coffee brewer. 

Cafe Altura Organic Coffee Beans – Dark Roast Sumatra Coffee

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The organic coffee beans from Cafe Altura are certified by USDA organic. They are compatible with all brewing methods. A reusable coffee filter makes it easy to use the coffee on a single-serve brewer. 

The brand has different pack sizes for coffee lovers to choose from. Cafe Altura coffee beans are freshly roasted. They are sourced from various sources, including Sumatra, Peru, Colombia, and Nicaragua. 

The Sumatra coffee beans have roasty, earthy, and complex taste notes. Cafe Altura organic coffee beans are caffeinated and have a dark roast. 

Here’s a summary of the Sumatra coffee we discussed earlier. 

Sumatra Coffee	Summary	Roast Level
Starbucks K-cups	Single-origin 24 recyclable K-cup pods Notes of rich herbs and rustic spice	Dark roast
Copper Moon coffee beans	Caffeinated coffee Kosher certified Whole bean coffee Earthy aroma and herbal taste note	Dark roast
Starbucks ground coffee	Single-origin Ground coffee Caffeinated Notes of rustic spice and rich herbs	Dark roast
Green Mountain Coffee	Caffeinated coffee Single-origin Compatible with all Keurig brewers 24 K-cup pods Sweet and heavy-bodied Certified by FairTrade and USDA Organic	Dark roast
Cafe Altura organic coffee	Certified by USDA organic  Non-GMO Whole beans Caffeinated coffee	Dark roast

What Makes Sumatra Coffee Special?

Sumatra coffee is not your regular coffee. The single-origin coffee is grown on Sunda island in Indonesia. 

Indonesia is the world’s third-largest producer of coffee. Most of the coffee farming work is done by women. They control the quality, harvesting, processing, and selling of coffee. 

The volcanic soil and climate favor the growth of Arabica coffee. The types of coffee grown in the Sumatra region are Lintong, mandheling, and Gayo.  

So, what makes this coffee special? 

The processing method

Although we mentioned it earlier, the coffee processing method is unique. Instead of coffee farmers selling the coffee cherries to the coffee roasters, they carry out the manual work. 

After picking the coffee cherries, they use the wet hulling method to remove the parchment layer. The green coffee beans are soaked in water to ferment and remove the mucilage. 

The green coffee beans are then sun-dried. The coffee farmers hand-pick the coffee beans before packing and shipping them to a coffee warehouse. 

Flavor Profile

The processing method contributes to the flavor of the coffee. Sumatra coffee has a chocolatey, herbal, and earthy flavor. However, these are not the only flavors to expect from the coffee beans. 

Some coffee brands blend the coffee beans from Sumatra with coffee from other sources. The roast profile can be either dark or medium. 

Low Acidity

Sumatra coffee beans have low acidity. It’s best for the coffee lover who experiences gastrointestinal problems after drinking coffee. 

In addition to being low acidity coffee, you can also use Sumatra coffee to make a cold brew. 

Roast level

Sumatra coffee beans have different roast levels. You can select medium roast coffee or a dark roast. 

Dark roast coffee beans have a lower acidity than light roast and medium roast. They are best for coffee lovers who love coffee without bitterness. 

Whole bean, Single-serve, or Ground Coffee

Sumatra coffee is for everyone. You can select ground coffee, Sumatra coffee k-cups, or coffee beans to make your cup of joe. If you take decaf coffee, you can buy the Sumatra decaf blend.

Starbucks is the biggest purchaser of Sumatra coffee. The brand gives you the option of selecting whole beans, ground coffee, or single-serve. 

For coffee connoisseurs, whole coffee beans are best for coffee brewing. You will have a fresh cup of joe as you grind coffee when you need to brew. 

How to Roast The Sumatra Coffee Beans

Now that you’re already aware of how Sumatra coffee is made, we can proceed to the roasting process. 

Coffee farmers hand-pick the green coffee beans. They are then shipped to the coffee warehouse for further drying and roasting. 

Most brands tend to have a dark roast profile for the coffee beans. It brings out the earthy and chocolatey flavor of the coffee. 

You can also roast green coffee beans at home. However, you will need a coffee roaster. You can get one from a coffee store or use a popcorn popper. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best brewing method for Sumatra coffee beans?

With this coffee, you can use it with your preferred brewing method. You can brew coffee with a French press, AeroPress, or a drip coffee maker.  

The Sumatra k-cup pods are compatible with Keurig coffee brewers. Place a coffee pod in the pod holder and a coffee mug, then press the power button to begin brewing. 

If you prefer coffee beans, you must have a coffee grinder. By grinding coffee at home, you can have different grind sizes for the various brewing methods. 

Pre-ground coffee is convenient, but it loses flavor and freshness quickly compared to coffee beans. If you already have a coffee grinder, it’s best to use whole coffee beans. 

Another coffee brewing method you can use with Sumatra coffee is cold brew. The brewing process takes more time than hot brewing, as you soak ground coffee in cold water. 

Leave the coffee overnight or 12-24 hours to steep. The resulting cup of joe has low acidity than hot brewed coffee. 

2. Is Sumatra coffee low acid coffee?

Yes. Sumatra coffee has a low acidity than coffee from other regions like Africa. 

3. Is Sumatra coffee Arabica or Robusta?

 Sumatra coffee is Arabica coffee. The island has the best climate and balanced soil for Arabica coffee farming. 

4. Why is the wet hulling process unique?

Coffee farmers pick the coffee beans and use a hulling machine to remove the skin from the cherries.

The processing method contributes to the flavor, aroma, and taste of coffee. Coffee farmers leave the coffee beans to dry in the sun. However, the green coffee beans retain some moisture. 

The coffee warehouse dries the coffee beans before roasting. The method of processing the Sumatra coffee is referred to as ‘giling basah’ in Indonesian or wet hulling. 

5. Where can you buy Sumatra coffee?

Do you want to use Sumatra coffee for coffee brewing? You can buy this coffee from Starbucks and coffee stores. 

Final Verdict

Sumatra coffee is 100% Arabica. It has low acidity with different flavor profiles. The coffee farmers use the wet hulling method to process the coffee beans.

If you’re looking for a change from your current coffee brand, you can try Sumatra coffee Starbucks. 

Are you ready to enjoy a quality cup of coffee from Sumatra coffee? You can select ground coffee, whole beans, or k-cup pods for coffee brewing.